Greg Gossel has shown with both Gallery Three and The Shooting Gallery, and on June 12, 2010 Sleepwalking will open at White Walls, making Greg the only artist to show at all three of Justin Giarlas’ galleries.

Questioning how our visual culture has affected society thus far and how it will play out in the future, Sleepwalking will consist of over 30 mixed media works created through layers of collage, de-collage, and silkscreen printing on wood panel or canvas. Inspired by the processes of Mimmo Rotella and Jacques Villegle, Gossel spontaneously builds up the layers while weathering the surface through staining, sanding and tearing to reveal the history beneath.

Even though he has been non-stop busy, between working on new works for his show here, his pieces which will be in Looking East at Yves Laroche Gallery , and collaborating with Burlesque of North America he still managed to squeeze in some time to reflect.  Here is our interview with Greg Gossel whose show, Sleepwalking, opens June 12, 2010 7-11pm at White Walls.

Three words that describe your work?

How about ‘pop culture mash-up’… does that count as three words?

How’s the art scene in Minneapolis? Any plans to relocate?

It’s cool… it’s a little off the radar for most people but there’s a lot of great work being produced in Minneapolis. Yeah i enjoy it here, but am ready for a change of pace and have been kicking around the idea of moving out to the east coast later this summer.

If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you?

Ummm… how about Steve Buscemi

You’ve been to San Francisco many times for shows with Justin Giarla’s other galleries; The Shooting Gallery and Gallery Three.  What are your favorite places to visit when you’re here?

Well, usually when I’m in town for shows things are pretty hectic getting everything ready, so I generally don’t have much time to venture too far from the gallery… so I’d probably have to say Thai house next door is one of my most frequently visited spots while in town.

How does it feel to be the only artist represented by both White Walls and The Shooting Gallery?

That’s awesome… I’m honored

This is your first official solo show at White Walls; how will you utilize the space?

I’ll be showing a wide variety of pieces that range from fairly small pieces on wood to much larger canvases to try and take advantage of the variations in wall space throughout the gallery.

Most amazing place you have ever traveled?

I think I’d have to say Iceland… was only there for a few days but I always find myself wanting to go back.

What are you listening these days in the way of music?

Usually a pretty random mix from day to day… lately I guess I’ve been listening to a lot of stuff like Lou Reed, Sabbath, Bowie, The Cramps, The Stooges, and Pink Floyd along with maybe some Mf doom and Ghostface thrown in there…

What were your influences for Sleepwalking and what does the title of the show mean to you?

I’m continuing to explore themes from past work while also incorporating a lot of new ideas. I’ve always been influenced by the overload of visual stimuli we’re subject to on a daily basis and I think that’s reflected in the heavy layering and vivid color palette throughout this new body of work. The title of the show is in reference to an American culture in which we seem to sleepwalk through this constant visual bombardment, that though often ignored, inevitably creeps into our subconscious affecting the way we think and perceive the world around us.

If you were given a chance to travel back in time where would you go?

I think I’d have to say ancient Egypt

You work in both Graphic Design and Fine Art.  Can you draw any parallels and how do both worlds influence your work?

Yeah for sure… my design and fine art work always influence one another. I’m sure my work would look much different without my background in design.

Can you remember the first thing you ever drew and if so – what was it?

Ummm… I don’t think it was the first thing i ever drew, but I remember redrawing a lot of my favorite cartoons and a kid, stuff like the ninja turtles and transformers…

You’ve always been known for large-scale works.  What’s the biggest you’re going for this show?  Can we expect to see any installation work?

The largest piece I’ll be showing will be around 9′x12′… I’m planning on showing some larger pieces as opposed to creating an installation, but I’ll have to see how everything is coming together once I get to the gallery.

Greg Gossel is hard at work for his upcoming solo show at White Walls opening June 12th, 2010.  We’re excited to welcome him back, since his visits always prove to be memorable and of course the art is always good.  Sleepwalking highlights new influences and avenues for Gossel and shouldn’t be missed.  Stay tuned for an interview with Greg in the next few days, but for now check out some images from his studio in Minneapolis.

On June 13, 2010 the Laguna Art Museum will open its summer group show, Art Shack. The exhibition will feature work from White Walls artist, Mike Shine along with other working artists such as, Don Ed Hardy, Shag, and Paul Frank. Each artist will create their own “shack”, using interactive methods and one of the most basic forms of architecture in order to “defy the norms of rules set against them, questioning the modes of mass production, social restrictions, and perhaps global capitalism.” (from Art Shack Press Release). Art Shack kicks off June 12, 2010 with an Opening Night Party where you can meet participating artists and explore all 25 different environments at the Museum. The exhibition will run through October 3,2010.

Also, Be on the lookout for Mike Shine, October 2010 at an undisclosed location in San Francisco.

Check out this great video and interview with Mike Shine about his art shack.

(Raw Meat on the Doorstep. Interview by Stacy Peralta.)

Faces in the Mirror is up for a few more weeks – so get down here if you haven’t already gotten a chance to see the work in person.  Many thanks to Michael Cuffe from the Warholian for the great video interview.

Hugh Leeman, D Young V, Sean Desmond, and New York artist Gaia got down this weekend. Adding some much needed flare to the Bay to Breakers finish line, the Mission and, the Tenderloin.

In the mission.

(Left: Gaia, center top/right top: Hugh Leeman, bottom center: Sean Desmond)

(Right/bottom:Blek le Rat, D Young V, Center/Top: Hugh Leeman, Right: Gaia)

Bay to Breakers Finish Line

Ocean Beach

Check out what Hugh Leeman will be up to this summer. It’s a video fundraiser, for a street art conference he’s participating in this summer in Atlanta.

The San Francisco’s Mission District has been the primary neighborhood for street art since the late 1960s with the Mission Muralists but, things are changing. Artists have begun working in other neighborhoods and are attempting to catch the attention of different audiences. Chloe Veltman of The New York Times writes about the spread of street art into different neighborhoods of San Francisco, “Now some of the freshest and most thought-provoking pieces are turning up elsewhere, like the spray-painted and stenciled images found in neighborhoods like SoMa, the Tenderloin and Bayview-Hunters Point.” White Walls gallery in San Franciscos Tenderloin has provided a space for street art over the last 5 years outside of the Mission. Owner, Justin Giarla shares his insight with The New York Times, “In neighborhoods like SoMa, Bayview-Hunters Point and the Tenderloin, the work feels more expressive and free,”

Read the whole article Here.

(image from Dana Sanchez)

The world of street art is drastically changing. More and more artists who previously worked on the streets are beginning to show in galleries and pop up in magazines everywhere. San Francisco’s world of street art is changing too, with the publications and events by the De Young Museum which focus on the Missions murals, street artists are being publicized to the general public, making them more aware of the person behind that great mural on the side of your neighborhood liquor store. Caitlin Donohue spoke with White Walls owner, Justin Giarla about street art within the fine art world. Because as Donohue says, “Street art’s got a new bitch — the fine art world.”

Read the whole article Here.

Caitlin Donohue from the San Francisco Bay Guardian, came by to talk with Justin about the space he provides for working street artists. Taking Donohue through White Walls and the Shooting Gallery Justin talks about the transformation the art  goes through from the streets to a gallery space and, how the audience of the work changes as well.

Read the whole article Here.

Hush’s mural on the side alley of White Walls

(Picture from Caitlin Donohue)

Sleepwalking

New Works by Greg Gossel

Opening: Saturday, June 12th, 2010 from 7-11pm

Show Runs Through: July 3rd, 2010

White Walls is proud to present Sleepwalking: New Works by Greg Gossel. This overload of pop imagery comments on media manipulation as an oppressive force in The United States. Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, June 12th, 2010, from 7-11pm.

Sleepwalking critiques mass media’s exploitation of specific groups of people: a consumerist practice that projects biased perceptions of gender, race, and culture. This collection points out specific imagery from collective memory of the past 50 years including the confederate flag, 1960s race riots, comic book superheroes, pro wrestling, the Reagan war on drugs, and 8 bit video games. Adding to the visual bombardment is a reference to advertising through appropriated tabloid headlines, celebrity gossip magazines, and 80s movie posters. Sleepwalking through this myriad of cultural fragments, Gossel questions how our visual culture has affected society thus far and how it will play out in the future.

Sleepwalking consists of over 30 mixed media works created through layers of collage, de-collage, and silkscreen printing on wood panel or canvas. Inspired by the processes of Mimmo Rotella and Jacques Villegle, Gossel spontaneously builds up the layers while weathering the surface through staining, sanding, and tearing to reveal the history beneath.

Greg Gossel is a Minneapolis based artist with a BFA from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Greg has exhibited in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Milan, and London; and in 2009 he was invited to create a large scale mural on the façade of Miami’s Aqua Art Fair. His commercial clients include Stussy, GNU Snowboards, and Interscope Records while his work has been published in The San Francisco Chronicle, Juxtapoz Art and Culture Magazine, Artslant, Artful Living, and ROJO.

The opening reception of Sleepwalking: New Works by Greg Gossel at White Walls Gallery begins on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 from 7-11pm. The exhibit will be on display through July 3rd, 2010 and is open to the public.

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the show. 150 people went home happy with the screenprinted packages made by Above and purchased books were signed by Blek le Rat.  A great turnout and an amazing show.

Click here for more photos on our Flickr