Florian Maier-Aichen / Henry Taylor @ Blum & Poe, Culver City

I went down to LA to check out some shows yesterday and wanted to share some photos etc. Blum & Poe have created such a beautiful space that you get the idea they could probably show anything there and make it look worthy of your time, but after spending the time with the work on display, one realizes that the beautiful gallery space is merely a frame for the carefully picked roster of artists they represent. The space is a veritable artists dream space to show (at least one of mine). Below are some images of Florian Maier-Aichen and Henry Taylor's exhibitions...

-Florian Maier-Aichen @ Blum & Poe April 9 - May 14, 2011 -

 Florian Maier-Aichen Untitled, 2011 C-print
85 3/4 x 109 1/2 inches framed courtesy of Blum & Poe

More text and images after the jump...

-Henry Taylor @ Blum & Poe March 19 - May 7, 2011-

 

  Bold, impasto brushstrokes in Taylor's work speaks to a sort of necessity in the creation of his paintings. Without fear in the result of unintentional drips, his gestural movement brings these works to life. The paintings feel personal and sentimental in subject matter, mulled over with an apparent brush to canvas battle, only to be won in the end by the artist. These are the moments that create a sort of visual ebb and flow between liquid and refined painterly style that speaks to the subject matter and lends a step into the artist's world.

This result of fast moving kinetics is also found in his installations and sculptures for this solo exhibition. In Taylor's installation titled "It's like a Jungle" Broomsticks hold empty vessels once used to carry bleach, painted black to resemble African masks and figures. Next to these figures, a chair sits on the floor with the word "Queenie" written on the seat cushion. The environment created is a kind of deserted royal camp, obviously constructed to fit in the realm of gallery; but not so obviously designed, as much as transported from another "real world" environment. In viewing the work, you are let into a fast-moving and at times turbulent mind, working quickly to communicate. 

 

 

Henry Taylor It's like a jungle, 2011
Mixed media installation, Installed dimensions variable courtesy of Blum & Poe

Henry Taylor was born 1958 in Ventura, CA. It is always nice to see someone close to home making great work and represented well. -SA

For more info: Blum & Poe website here