(Post transferred, original content posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015)
This summer was a wonderful change of pace. From June through August I had the privilege of being the artist in residence at the Palo Alto Art Center, and created a body of work aimed particularly at the city of Palo Alto.
Amanda | 60x90in | Charcoal and Graphite on Paper
The new drawings focus on the residents of the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park, a trailer park located in downtown Palo Alto that is currently embroiled in a long running legal battle over its potential sale and closure. Buena Vista is the last such park in Palo Alto, and to many has become a symbol in the long running debate over the effects of the incredibly rapid gentrification of much of the Bay Area. If the closure goes through, the vast majority of the residents will have no choice but to move out of Palo Alto, and potentially out of the Bay Area completely due to the lack of availability of affordable housing.
Fred | 20x27in | Charcoal and Graphite on Paper
In these drawings my goal was to explore the relationship between the tenants and their wonderfully varied homes. Buena Vista is a deeply unique space, both culturally and aesthetically, and it seemed to me that much of the debate around the potential closure has focused on just about everything but the residents themselves. The works are meant to investigate a small part of the cultural fabric that is this unique park, which sits in such contrast to much of the rather curated and sculpted perfection that is Palo Alto proper.
For further information about the works, please email Hashitmotocontemporary@gmail.com
Don | 20x27in | Charcoal and Graphite on Paper
The drawings will be part of an exhibition titled Front Yard/Backstreet, opening this Friday at the Palo Art Center. Please stop by and say hello!
Opening Celebration for Front Yard/Backstreet:
Friday September 18, 7 - 10 p.m.
Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road
Exhibition runs Sept 18 - Dec 13, 2015
UPCOMING:
Sept 18-20 | Art Copenhagen | Oxholm Gallery | Copenhagen, Denmark
Nov 2015 | Solo Exhibition | Galleri Ramfjord | Oslo, Norway