With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: L.A. Street Artists Tackle Politics And Campaign Finance Reform
As you (hopefully) know, California's June primary is just days away—and the good people at Hollywood's Stone Malone Gallery decided to commemorate the upcoming election with a limited-run political art show.
"Where Else But The Streets," which opened Saturday and will run until June 7, features art from Shepard Fairey, Teachr, Free Humanity, Lydia Emily, Plastic Jesus, Morley, All The Girls Love Earl, Toolz, Sabo, The PSA Crew, among others. The exhibit runs in conjunction with a new photo journal from Rothco Press called Where Else But The Streets: A Street Art Dossier.
We spoke with gallery director Quentin D. Moses and John Wellington Ennis, who put together the book, about the exhibit, and we are excited to feature an exclusive peek at the work in the show.
Our preview features work by Shepard Fairey, Teachr, Morley and Sabo. The Shepard Fairey images were released as limited edition lithographs earlier this year through Shepard's ObeyGiant.com. According to Ennis, Fairey has been a long proponent of campaign finance reform, The four pieces here are part of a limited series handmade on Obey's stylized canvas made from his distinct background material of combined images wrapped onto a wooden backing with multi-layer screen prints.
Support for LAist comes from
Sabo is, according to Ennis, "the lone right wing street artist in the book and the show, and for that matter on the streets of L.A."
Ennis told us that the exhibit itself came about in an unlikely journey from his 2014 documentary Pay 2 Play, which looked at money in politics. As he and his team looked for ways to visualize how individuals were protesting corporate money in the campaign finance system, they started looking at the work being done by street artists. Those interviews ultimately led to the book. According to Moses, artists will also be creating new pieces on the walls around the Melrose gallery.
"From 2010 to 2012, there was an explosion of street art in L.A.," Ennis said, saying that the boom stemmed in part from the release of Exit Through the Gift Shop and Banksy's 2011 visit to L.A. for the Oscars, and then stretched through the Occupy Wall Street movement into early 2012.
"I realized that period of art was pretty special, and I wanted to be able to tell that story," Ennis said. "Street art can be a metaphor for activism and civil disobedience."
"Where Else But The Streets," runs until June 7 at Stone Malone Gallery on 7619 1/2 Melrose Ave., LA, CA 90046. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist