Juxtapoz Magazine - Photos: Shepard Fairey + Souther Salazar

Photos: Shepard Fairey + Souther Salazar
Saturday June 23, 2007

Tonight, June 23rd, is the opening of the Shepard Fairey and Souther Salazar's joint exhibit at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in NYC, but Juxtapoz was there a day early to bring you a sneak peek at all the new works on display. While not as chaotic as Fairey's DUMBO opening the previous evening, LeVine's press preview was just as packed, with tons of art fans cramming into the overheated gallery to check out some fantastic work. Tonight, June 23rd, is the opening of the Shepard Fairey and Souther Salazar's joint exhibit at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in NYC, but Juxtapoz was there a day early to bring you a sneak peek at all the new works on display. While not as chaotic as Fairey's DUMBO opening the previous evening, LeVine's press preview was just as packed, with tons of art fans cramming into the overheated gallery to check out some fantastic work.

Fairey spent most of the evening trailed by a camera crew as admires and autograph seekers gawked on. The exhibit featured hand painted versions of his recent screen prints. Most of the paintings touched on themes of war and potential destruction, each pulsating with scarlet paint. For art fans overwhelmed by the gloom and doom, Souther Salazar welcomed them to his side of the gallery, which was remarkably different in style from Fairey's "E Pluribus Venom" exhibit. Salazar's "Space Cadets" features an ethereal world of cuddly creatures and dreamy landscapes, all detailed in muted hues of beige, blue, and yellow. His paintings are complimented by a series of sculptures that bring to life the residents of his imaginary world. Both shows will be on display from June 23 through July 21 at 529 West 20th Street, 9E New York. An opening party for the Chelsea exhibit will be held Saturday, June 23, from 5pm-9pm.

Photos and captions by George Koroneos