JoAnne Artman Gallery is pleased to present, “SPRAYED: Show Me Your Cans,” an exclusive online exhibition featuring the works of John “Crash” Matos, America Martin and Michael Callas. A tongue-in-cheek celebration of graffiti and street art, each artist integrates pop culture influences with their use of spray paint. Exemplifying the coexistence of spontaneity and restraint, gesture and action, their varying approaches to painting with aerosol reveal both the scope and intuitive nature of the medium.
As a young teen stemming from the Bronx, Crash (b. John Matos) ran with the local kids, tagging subway cars, creating large murals, perfecting his style and making a name for himself amongst the New York graffiti scene. He is one of the first graffiti artists to make the transition to canvas. Combining text with form, he creates all his work from freehand, showcasing vibrant compositions reminiscent of pop art in 1960s while reflecting his own signature style.
Bursting with life, vigorous in line, form and color, America Martin’s work showcases her unique and humanist approach to portraying the natural world as well as the human form. Adhering to her signature style, Martin seamlessly introduces allegory through radical forms and an unmistakable aesthetic sensibility. Strikingly bold in composition and narrative, Martin’s works investigate the framework of humanity as she continues the ubiquitous theme of identity.
Growing up in Southern California in Orange County, the combination of the area’s natural beauty with its planned communities and highly curated environments were a heavy influence on his artistic process. Rooted in Pop Art, Street Art, graphic design, drafting, and his life in Southern California, Michael Callas’ paintings are done entirely with spray paint and stencils. Integrating figure and language, Callas combines text, character archetypes, and bold color within each work. Intricately produced through a vigorous process of drafting, mapping, and hand-cutting precise templates, Callas creates a surface that is uniform and rich in color.
