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September 2, 2015
Caro

Forest for the Trees Festival Brings 19 New Murals to Portland

Blaine Fontana & David Rice

Despite some drizzly weather, Portland is looking a little more colorful this week. As of August 24th, the nonprofit mural festival Forest for the Trees, previously covered here, has been in high gear as 29 international artists work their magic on buildings across the city. The festival is co-directed by local artist Gage Hamilton and gallerist Matt Wagner of Hellion Gallery in Portland, who wanted to expand on their city’s visual identity through art. For its third year in a row, the project has a goal of creating 19 collaborative new murals by: Rustam Qbic, Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright, Michael Reeder, Low Bros, Andrew Hem, Josh Keyes, Michael Salter, Jade Rivera, Aaron Glasson, Celeste Byers, Spencer Keeton Cunningham & Jaque Fragua, Jenene Nagy, BMD, INSA, John Gourley, Zach Johnson, Gage Hamilton, Alex Peterson, Joram Roukes, Josh Doll, Blaine Fontana, David Rice, Zach Yarrington, Ola Volo, Nigamushi, and Olivia Knapp. Not only do their works add to the city’s personality, they also promote culture and diversity. This year’s participants hail from countries all over the world including Japan, Russia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, uniting with United States based and local artists. Imagine Blaine Fontana’s vibrant and graphical symbolism, next to Los Angeles based duo Low Bros’ hyper-stylized characters and a massive multimedia piece by trio Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright & Michael Reeder. While most completed their murals this week, others will continue to paint through the month of October. Take a look at more photos of their murals in progress below, courtesy of The Vera Firm and Forest for the Trees.

Troy Lovegates, Paige Wright & Michael Reeder

Olivia Knapp

Low Bros

Josh Keyes

Joram Roukes

Blaine Fontana & David Rice

Alex M. Peterson

Topics

Blaine Fontana, david rice, forest for the trees, Low Bros, street art

forest for the trees, hellion gallery, mural, painting, street art

May 27, 2014

Public art and murals add an imaginative dimension to the daily humdrum of city life — a cause public art project Forest For The Trees is championing in Portland at Hellion Gallery. The gallery is currently hosting a two-week pop-up fundraiser show for FFTT, which is gearing up for a mural series in late August featuring the likes of Blaine Fontana, DAL, Faith47, Know Hope, Mary Iverson and many other international and Portland-based artists. The current group show at Hellion Gallery features works from a small selection of artworks from some of the participants: an assemblage by Fontana, psychedelic paintings by Brendan Monroe, a landscape collage by Mary Iverson and more. The exhibition is on view through May 30. Stay tuned for news about the Forest For The Trees mural series later this summer.

Olek Brightens an Indian Homeless Shelter with Crochet for St+art Delhi

crochet, installation, olek, St+Art Delhi, street art

March 24, 2015

While some artists view yarn bombing as purely decorative, Olek (HF Vol. 29) often swathes objects in crochet to draw attention to important socio-political issues. Known for the outspoken messages in her large-scale, colorful work, she was recently invited to create a piece in New Delhi, India for the St+art Delhi street art festival. For her canvas, Olek chose one of the local homeless shelters called “Raine Basera,” which provide people with temporary lodging overnight. With the help of legions of volunteers and donations from Indian fashion labels, Olek beautified the shelter with bright yellow, purple, and red crocheted fabrics that evoke India's famously vibrant textiles. Though it's visually alluring, the piece ultimately imparts a sobering message about the reality of poverty in New Delhi — and many major cities around the world.

Bordalo II Creates Lively Animal Portraits Using Trash and Found Objects

assemblage, Bordalo II, sculpture, street art

October 27, 2014

Based in Lisbon, Portugal, Bordalo II creates resourceful assemblages out of the junk he collects in his city's streets. Using a bit of spray paint, the artist configures the found objects into playful animal portraits. His street art work hybridizes muralism and sculpture. A portrait of an owl conceals layers of scrap metal; a painting of an apple contains bent bicycle tires, cans, wood and cardboard. Bordalo II's art brings whimsical visions to Lisbon's streets and invites viewers to imagine creative ways to reuse their discarded items.

Opening Night: Dabs Myla, Rime, and Persue at The Seventh Letter

Dabs Myla, Persue, Rime, street art, The Seventh Letter

September 24, 2014

Dabs Myla's oddball characters, Rime's vivid colors and Persue's trippy paintings all share an animated style- and tend to tread sensitive topics. On Saturday night, their worlds collided in "Touchy Subjects" at The Seventh Letter gallery in Los Angeles. Co-existing in the same space, it was almost like a scene out of toontown in In Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Everything comes to life in a remarkably fun way, but it's also slightly dangerous, erratic, and yes, touchy. More after the jump!

Forest for the Trees Festival Brings 19 New Murals to Portland

On View: “Forest For The Trees” Group Show at Hellion Gallery

Olek Brightens an Indian Homeless Shelter with Crochet for St+art Delhi

Bordalo II Creates Lively Animal Portraits Using Trash and Found Objects

Opening Night: Dabs Myla, Rime, and Persue at The Seventh Letter

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