D O W N T O W N 23
Group Exhibition of diverse works by Valkyria Dargin-Greig, Java Leonard, REKSO and Fauze Hassen.
Four West Auckland artists deliver a nod to graffiti and an urban landscape. A nod to the contrast of light and dark, both visually and metaphorically. There is an abstract sense of storytelling and elevated symbolism. They create works that are understated statements of powerful self-expression.
The exhibition title comes from Downtown 81, is a 2000 American film that was shot in 1980-1981, set in a sub-culture of post-punk era New York. The film stars Basquiat, just 19 years old, playing himself as a painter, poet, and musician. As a group, we felt that this rare real-life snapshot embodied the diversity of creative expression that we seek to showcase in this exhibition.
Curated by Leela Bhai | @ideasbhaidesign
Curator Statement: I am exploring narratives around the re-direction of masculine energy, the need for expelling angst, a lingering uncertainty, pestering desire, and a darkness that can circulate, difficult to articulate. A ‘Boys 2 Men’ journey, where artmaking + self-expression is the clarifying tool.
Extended Exhibition Descriptor / Blurb: Basquiat has become a kind of mythical figure. An influence of Java + Fauze’s work and while different, their graffiti-esque mark-making embodies a similar raw energy that navigates an urban echo. The addition of a REKSO’s work is a direct reference to this culture of rebellion and the temporary, yet his work is clean and polished with a restrained colour palette. This show aims to challenge stereotypes of how young men navigate their journey into manhood with a collective that is diverse and varied, unique to each. Valkyria draws us into a cool, quieter space which safeguards a warm flicker. In this body of work, you will recognise that smile through the pain, a journey, a tightrope walk of self-destruction and self-expression.
VALKYRIA DARGIN-GREIG
· WINDOWS, Group Exhibition, Corban Estate Art Centre, Henderson, 2023
· Member of the Kākano Youth Arts Collective, Henderson, 2018 – 2023
· Kākano Gallery Assistant, Henderson, 2021 - 2023
· Edinburgh Premier Art Awards 2023, Otago Art Society, Dunedin.
· Finalist + Second Prize Winner, Emerging Artist Awards 2022, The Upstairs Gallery, Titirangi.
Small scale acrylic works are derived from photography taken by Valkyria during night walks and urban exploration. He looks at the illumination of light within man-made utilitarian structures and empty spaces, creating new environments and worlds that help him control his fears. He is also inspired by cats, dogs, and lizards, even as roadkill, which exemplifies urban impact on living things, transforming into a hybrid of fantastical beasts. Much of his work involves meticulous observation and restricted colour pallets that peek into the dark corners of his imagination and lived experience.
“Art is a good purging tool to let go of what’s on your mind”.
@kyria_andthe_disk_ouroboros
JAVA LEONARD
· WINDOWS, Group Exhibition, Corban Estate Art Centre, Henderson, 2023
· Tutor at the Kākano Youth Arts Collective, 2022 - 2023
· FACADE II – International Group Show, The Holy Art Gallery, London, 2023
· MOANA ARTISTS, Group Show, Scott Lawrie Gallery, Mt Eden, 2022
· Finalist + Winner of Viewer’s Choice Award, Mairangi Arts Centre 8th Hibiscus and Bays Art Awards, Mairangi Bay, 2022
· TRIALS OF A MIND, Solo Exhibition, All Goods Art Space, Avondale, 2022
· BAREL STORE COLONY, Group Show, Corban Estate Art Centre, 2021
His mixed-media works, often large scale, derived from inner dialogue, a process of visualisation of his own thoughts. He creates layered, gestural characters and overlapping text that become a colourful pool of seemingly effortless symbolism and narrative. His materiality dictates an element of his aesthetic, using whatever he has at hand, cardboard, ripped loose canvas strips, computer monitors and clothing. He combines, collage, spray paint, house paint and pastels to produce a rich surface that embodies multiple conversations.
@fuckery.duckeryy
FAUZE HASSEN
· MADE, Group Show, Huia Hall, Huia, 2023
· THINK NZ - Group Show, Whitianga, 2020
· MADE, Group Show, Huia Hall, Huia, 2020
· YELLOW STREET LIGHT MADNESS, Solo Exhibition, Depot Artspace, Devonport, 2018
· ADIÓS FAX MACHINE, SO LONG MANKIND, Solo Exhibition, Corner Window Gallery, 2018
· MOONLIGHT CREATIVITY, Group Show, AllPress Gallery, 2018
Also a published poet and film editor, Fauze was born in São Paulo, Brazil, a place that always feeds into the energy of his work. His ‘Big City’ dialogue offers a parallel to the bustling concrete sub-cultures of New York. His expressive paintings exhibit recurring themes of urban routine, human behaviours, and employ elements of street-art and dark humour. While drawn to the ambiguity of the surreal, his storytelling is about digesting his own ideas, developing form for an invisible chaos.
“My practice as a visual extension of my poetry, the main channel between the outer world, my voice as an artist and a restless counter-cultural appetite.”
I remember the sun, invisible,
its violent explosions
and its power
upon the mad ones
under toxic nights,
as love moves through delicate fingers
and soft skin burns up the galaxy.
Extract from ‘Another Birthday Poem’ 2020
@fauzehassen
REKSO
· Kākano Youth Arts Collective Alumni
· Youth Workshop Tutor at Corban Estate Art centre, 2023
· URBAN WALLS, Group Show, Auckland CBD, 2022
· END OF THE LINE, Solo Exhibition, Corban Estate Art Centre, 2019
· Kākano Gallery Coordinator, Henderson, 2019
Both his spray can mural work and polished digital imagery is a pure celebration of street culture, a haven as an adolescent and creative reference point. Reimagining fundamental elements of graffiti, he delivers inter-connecting compositions of abstract shape, stylised words, and pop culture hieroglyphics. His arts practice is a means he has used to transform his life.
@reksoism
Photos by Tatiana Harper Photography
