Up Against the Wall is in the news...

By THINK TANK

Found this Article about the show on the Santa Barbara News-Press...enjoy:

Arts Fund Gallery hosts group exhibition

MARILYN MCMAHON, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

January 19, 2009 6:37 AM

"Against the Wall: Layers Revealed," a group exhibition, will be on view at the Arts Fund Gallery, Friday through March 6.

A reception for the artists will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the gallery, 205C Santa Barbara St. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and by appointment.

Featured artists are Alexia, Gary Bradley, Brett Hammond, Dave Matsick Jr., Larik Mezey, Daniel Ochoa, Mac Oliver, Vanae Mary Rivera, Forrest Rucker and Think Tank.

From ballpoint pen drawings that resemble fine woodcuts to layers of photographic montage, from custom stencils and handmade tools, from canvas, ceramic and cloth, "Against the Wall" explores the practices of aerosol art, a controversial medium, according to Dana Simpson, gallery manager.

"When one realizes the nuance and imagery an artist can achieve by manipulating a 'burst' of paint, a spray can becomes a tool of immense creativity. Influenced by street art, pop culture, mural painting, advertising and calligraphy, aerosol art is as diverse in reference as it is in representation," said Ms. Simpson in a press release.

"As this diverse group of artists demonstrates, the spray can is not the 'exclusive' brush of aerosol art. What connects these artists is an assertive graphic sensibility, a willingness to be patient in craft and quick in application and the independence to appropriate unconventional materials and images," she said, adding that "aerosol art, by its very nature, alters the designation of art object.

"Through juxtaposition, layers of meaning are revealed. Identifying themselves as self-taught and self-motivated, these Santa Barbara artists have developed unique solutions in both approach and technique. Together, the body of work on view is a collective effort to bring visual language 'from the street' to the gallery wall.

Ms. Simpson said that for the majority of participants, "Against the Wall" is the first presentation of their work in a professional space. The exhibit hopes to provide a deeper understanding of aerosol art and appreciation for this community of artists.

Laura Inks is creative producer and artist liaison on this collaborative project.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a community forum and panel discussion will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Faulkner Gallery at the Central Library, 40 E. Anapamu St.

"Giving Voice to a Conflicted Art: Artists, Civic Leaders and Community Members in Conversation" will be moderated by Judi Weisbart, CEO of the Patricia Henley Foundation, which is co-sponsoring the exhibit and forum. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 965-7321.

The Arts Fund (www.artsfundsb.org) was established in 1983 with a mission to create, fund and administer programs and projects that foster the arts for the people of Santa Barbara County, to act as a catalyst maximizing the effectiveness of arts resources and to nurture collaborative relationships among arts organizations.

The Arts Fund is best known as the sponsor of the annual Individual Artist Awards, a juried competition open to local artists, and the Teen Arts Mentorship Program, which pairs promising young artists with professional master artists in a workshop setting.

In 2001, The Arts Fund opened its own gallery at the corner of Yanonali and Santa Barbara Streets.