All-Los Angeles materials — gnarly wood boards, found rubble, funky old t.v. sets, sheet metal — form the foundation for the visiting Belgian artist ROA’s between-the-cracks, garbage-dump-at-night art show at the cool New Puppy Gallery. On these out-sized flat surfaces, ROA paints precise portraits of local critters and vermin.
No, not the denizens of the L.A. art world — that would be rude. ROA has genuine affection for rats, weasels, squirrels, birds, skunks, and mice – um, did I mention rats? It’s all part of the natural environment we city dwellers would rather not acknowledge. But they cohabit our universe, or so ROA reminds us. His impressive show leaves a queasy, disturbing feeling.
The Ghent native’s got an x-ray vision thing going on: many works have moving components, neatly hinged little doors that swing open to reveal the scrawny insides of the creepy crawlers: their delicate, laddered vertebrae, sweaty, thumping little red hearts, and tiny rat livers. Wall-hangings that operate like clever Venetian blinds flip neatly to reveal ROA creatures on both sides.
ROA learned his craft first by doodling, then he graduated to graffiti. Now he’s King of the Critter Underground. A proudly indigenous artist, he developed a hankering for the skunks of Los Angeles; in London, he featured foxes.
The wan-looking redhead generated the entire New Puppy show in an energy burst lasting two weeks. Although totally zonked with fatigue at his opening, ROA looked pleased.
ROA’s hot in Europe. Last month he made the cover of the niche street art magazine VNA. He was just published in the Thames and Hudson art book Street Sketchbook Journeys. This summer he participated in seven street art festivals, from Spain to Norway. In 2010 he had solo shows in Paris, London and New York.
ROA special event | New Puppy Gallery | 2808 Elm Street| thru Nov 24
Hours are 12nooon – 6pm We – Sa, or by appointment. There’s also a closing reception on Wed. Nov. 24th at 6pm when you can meet the artist.
Fantastic! What are the hours?