bG is pleased to present a solo exhibition by San Diego-based painter and our old pal, Mike Maxwell. Maxwell, who hasn't had a solo show in over a decade as he worked on other artistic and creative endeavors, was given full creative reign to integrate his recent works into an installation in the gallery. There will be a Zoom reception for the opening on Thursday, July 2nd from 7 to 9pm PST.
Mike Maxwell has been a fixture in the art world underground since the late 1990s when he worked as an artist assistant for Shepard Fairey. His art came into popular culture awareness after he created the portrait logo for the popular Joe Rogan podcast. His own podcast, “Live Free Podcast,” was an artist-interviewing-artist platform that saw over 100 episodes over a five-year span and featured the likes of Mike Giant, Ed Templeton, and many other prominent painters and creative types from the scene. In 2011, he and Mike Giant were featured in an art film titled “Working Class,” created by Jeff Durkin of Bread Truck Films.
Maxwell’s paintings are from the heart and void of any censorship or concern for mass affirmation. He is an unapologetic contrarian that is not afraid to speak his mind, which is evident in his body of work- a quality found in the purest of paintings. Whether shown here, anywhere else or not at all, these paintings would have been painted because painting for Maxwell is like air and water to the rest of us. This exhibition is merely a collection from the tap of Maxwell’s creativity and, in an effort to showcase his art in the purest light, bG has given full freedom to Maxwell and will take his lead in transforming the space into a one-of-a-kind exhibition.
The gallery is open from Tues. to Sat. from 11:30 am – 6 pm at Bergamot Station, next door to the Bergamot Cafe.
