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Hi-Fructose Presents: The Art of the Mushroom Preview Pt.1

Mark Ryden (Mixed media on paper, 13.5” x 10.75”)

Even outside of its varieties and many uses, the mushroom is a complicated, little fungus. Depicted by the artists of “Hi-Fructose Presents: The Art of the Mushroom,” coming to The Compound Gallery this month, it’s a prism of perspectives: fantastical or recreational, sexual or familial. The gallery describes this show as "an exploration into artists’ interpretations of the friendly, deadly, tasty, hallucinogenic, phallic, alien, and legendary mushroom." Here are just a few of the pieces featured in the show, with a roster of 50-plus artists.


Mark Ryden
(Mixed media on paper, 13.5” x 10.75”)

Even outside of its varieties and many uses, the mushroom is a complicated little fungus. Depicted by the artists of “Hi-Fructose Presents: The Art of the Mushroom,” coming to The Compound Gallery this month, it’s a prism of perspectives: fantastical or recreational, sexual or familial. The gallery describes this show as “an exploration into artists’ interpretations of the friendly, deadly, tasty, hallucinogenic, phallic, alien, and legendary mushroom.” Here are just a few of the pieces featured in the show, with a roster of 50-plus artists.


Richard Bowen
(Acrylic on canvas, 24″ x 18″)


Attaboy
(Acrylic on layers of handout wood, 20″ x 19″ x 2 1/2″)


Johnny KMNDZ Rodriguez
(Acrylic on wood, 24″ x 30″)


Travis Lampe
(Acrylic on wood panel, 20″ x 20”)

This show runs Oct. 20-Dec. 9. See more of its works below.


Horrible Adorables
(Mixed-media, including wool felt, foam, fiberfill, wood, glass eyes, wallpaper, 24.5″ x 18.5″ x 7″)


Christophe Gilland
(Ink on paper, 16.5″ x 12″)


KRK Ryden
(Acrylic, watercolor, Black 2.0 on wood panel, 25.5” x 32”)


Brandi Milne
(Acrylic on panel, 12” x 12”)


John Casey
(Pencil and colored pencil on paper, 14″ x 11″)


Erika Sanada
(Ceramic, cold finish, 12.5″ x 17″ x 5”)


Christina Mrozik
(Gouache on paper, 12.75″ x 17″)

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Pop Surrealist Mark Ryden (Hi-Fructose Vol. 18) has long incorporated alchemy and numerology in his fairytale-like world, filled with symbols and strange letters. The Los Angeles based artist once said that if he hadn't pursued art, his next choice would have been math or science. For his upcoming exhibition "Dodecahedron", opening December 10th at Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York, Ryden looked to geometry for inspiration. His exhibition is so named after the "dodecahedron", a 12-sided geometric shape of perfect symmetry and mystery.
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Charlie Immer

As we get closer to the opening of "Hi-Fructose Presents: The Art of the Mushroom," the group show at The Compound Gallery that explores the fungus that’s inspired artists for centuries, organizers offer more snippets and previews of the show each day. Take the interactive, moving “Cradle of Life” throne (below), which is just about ready to host revelers. See Part 1 of our preview of the show here.

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