American Cancer Society Memorial Fund

In memory of Larry Karp, two of Jensen's very close friends, Chris Bentz and Jenn Malek have started a memorial fund that will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

If you would like to donate to this fund please make out a check to "The American Cancer Society" with "In Memory of Larry Karp" in the memo. Checks can be sent to or dropped off at the Los Angeles gallery (Gallery1988, 7020 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038).

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Funeral Service

The funeral service for Lawrence Karp will be held this Friday, May 30th at the Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries. The service will be in the MS Chapel at 11AM. The address is 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, 90068.

Following the service, there will be a small gathering at Gallery1988 Los Angeles at 7020 Melrose Avenue around 1 PM.

Anyone who would like to come to the service or gallery this Friday is greatly welcome.

G1988

For Him

I know he'd want me to write something, so as weird as it feels, I feel a bit like he's telling me to do this.

My Father, Lawrence Karp, passed away this morning after an incredibly valiant fight with cancer. Besides being the most loving Father in the universe, he was an art enthusiast who loved coming into the gallery, seeing new shows, talking to the artists and helping me at openings. I can just see him now, smiling, sitting next to me at the front desk, amazed at all the states and countries we ship art to. I know many of you who came through the gallery were lucky enough to meet him, and I'm incredibly thankful for that, considering how much help he lended to Katie and I when we first opened the gallery.

My Father taught me everything I know with business, and I know how proud he was of this gallery and the artists who come through it. I just ask that you think of him today. He is sorely missed.

I love you, Dad.

Jensen
G1988: LA

They're coming...

It's more than you think.

VIMBY - Gallery 1988

Thanks to the people over at Vimby for posting this new, nice video about our TOYS! exhibit a few months back. I keep laughing cause my voice sounds so serious. I'm like the Ken Burns of fluff art gallery pieces.

Jensen
G1988: LA

So long, Scott!

Scott Campbell stopped by the SF gallery today and I have some very sad news. Scott is leaving San Francisco and moving to NYC the second week of June. This is sad news for me, but great news for all of you in NY. Scott is a very good friend of mine and someone who made my transition from LA to SF a lot easier.

We were just becoming friends when I decided to move back to SF and if you've met Scott, you know how fun he is to hang out with. He's that person you always look forward to seeing. He was also a G1988 SF supporter from the very begining, when it was still fantasy that we would open a second gallery in San Francisco. He was there at the grand opening of SF and has been to almost every single show we've had since.

Although Scott is moving all the way to NY, he'll still work with us in SF and LA, including Crazy 4 Cult 2 this August. He's already started his piece for the show, which brings together all of his favorite cult characters into one scene. Today he compared it to making the best mix tape of all time. That's all I'm going to say for now. You'll have to wait a little longer to see the piece, but we know it's going to be AMAZING.

I know he hasn't left yet, but I am going to miss Scott very much.

Katie
G1988 SF

...and I'm the Big Dipper

Some don't know this important piece of 1988 trivia, but one artist has been displayed, and purchasable, since our first day of business back in April 2004. That's right, no matter what show, no matter which artists were being shown, one artist has been a total mainstay every single day we've been open for business. He may have changed his name three times since those days, but PlasticGod was actually one of the artists that gave Katie and I the idea to open an affordable, youth-based art gallery. So when we get new product in from the man himself, we get pretty jazzed up. I mean, we are talking about an eye to detail that was able to chronicle every outfit worn by Derek Zoolander in one poster for last year's Crazy 4 Cult. Well, now he pays tribute to another artist who has changed his name a few times:



This is the brand new print from PlasticGod paying tribute to the ever changing persona known as Prince. Detailing memorable outfits and phases of his career from 1980 - 1995, the God hits every stop from Purple Rain to Batdance to the NPG. As a Prince fan myself, I had to talk about this one. They are 12 x 36 inches, and a signed and numbered edition of 50. They're $99 unframed, and $150 framed. Oh, and obviously the version you buy won't say "SAMPLE" across it.

Want it? Feel free to shoot me an email at gallery1988@aol.com or call us at (323) 937 - 7088, as we don't have many. Act now before your (Morris Day and the) time is up.

(sounds of boos for a bad pun)

Jensen
G1988: LA

Nanami Cowdroy

We just got these amazing new prints in from Australian artist, Nanami Cowdroy. I am a huge fan of her work and am very excited that we will be working with her in several upcoming shows in SF, including our group show this June!


Blow Fish
giclee print on 290gsm heavy weight, archival watercolor paper
22 x 16 inches
signed by the artist
$230.00




Geisha Yume
giclee print on 290gsm heavy weight, archival watercolor paper
16 x 22 inches
signed by the artist
$220.00



And here is "Flower Shower" that we started carrying a few months ago (my personal favorite)...


Flower Shower
giclee print on 290gsm heavy weight, archival watercolor paper
17 x 22 inches
signed by the artist
$210.00

The images are so beautiful, and I know they are a little more expensive than other prints we have in stock, but truthfully these are the best quality prints I've ever seen. I swear, they are stunning.

You'll be seeing more of her work over the next few months, so watch out! We're super excited to be working with her!

Katie
G1988 SF

Too Cute!

I had to post this pic from the Ledbetter/Brandou show that opened in SF last Friday. Joe graciously sketched for a few fans, including these two cuties.



A BIG thank you to Joe Ledbetter and Andrew Brandou for putting together an amazing show! If you haven't seen it yet, you can check it out HERE.

We also had a great turnout at our new show that opened in LA last night. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, I heard it was packed! The show includes work from Allison Sommers, Bloo Empire, Brandon Bird, Dan Santat, Dave Chung, Erik Alos, Isaac Pierro, Israel Sanchez, Ken Garduno, Scott Campbell, Reuben Rude and Rich Tuzon. There are some GREAT pieces still available... ARTWORK.

Which reminds me... the Scott Campbell "PacMans Print Set #2" is now available!

Scott Campbell
PacMans Print Set #2 (includes five prints)
giclee prints on Epson textured fine art paper
2 3/4 x 2 3/4 each print
limited edition of 100
$65.00

And finally I wanted to show you a new print we'll be releasing very soon by the lovely Krista Huot...


Krista Huot
Into The Real
giclee print on Somerset Velvet Fine Art Paper
14 x 11 inches
limited edition of 30
Price - TBD

We're almost finished printing and then they'll be shipped up to Canada to be signed and numbered. Krista will have a few new paintings in our upcoming group show this June in San Francisco. Stay tuned...

Katie
G1988: SF

Wanna see?

I LOVE this show. It takes a lot for something to make me smile during shitty times..and the work delivered for "One to Grow On," opening tonight in LA from 7-10 PM does that for me. Maybe it'll do it for you too? If you can't make it out...

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WORK.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Snow Cones To Grow On

It's hitting 100 degrees here in LA and there isn't much to be happy about when we reach temperatures that made people riot about the death of Radio Raheem. So when something does pop up that sheds any source of fun, I'm quick to blog it. So imagine my extreme smile when I heard the bells of....



THE SHAVED ICE MAN!!!





While Becky and I were installing we were cooled down by shaved ice, each ordering the same mix of Bubble Gum and Vanilla. Although deep down I wish he also carried my favorite ice cream popsicles of yesterday (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle with gum ball eyes, the Pink Panther, even the foot), I was obviously rather happy with my mid day snack (and title for still being the best at taking awkward photos).



Becky came in a close second, hoping her multi-colored cone would match some of Bloo Empire's installation...



Which brings us to our opening reception tomorrow night for "One to Grow On." This show is AWESOME! I know I say that a lot, as it directly effects my rent and how many shaved ice cones I can buy, but you have to trust me. Some incredible, affordable art in this one. Like this from Reuben Rude...



Or this from Dave Chung...



Or even this BEAUTY from Rich Tuzon...



And let's not forget about Isaac Pierro's INSANELY BEAUTIFUL Super Mario themed piece that he's been working on for over a year. We just hung it, and it is hands down, one of the best pieces we've ever shown here. My hyperbole will be deemed true once it is fully exposed on Tuesday night, but for now, here's a very close detail of the painting's main characters...



There's a whole lot more to that painting, so make sure to come by tomorrow, 7-10 PM! We'll also be releasing the Scott Campbell Pac-Man prints that night, so get them while it's 100 degrees out.

OH, AND SIDEBAR...we're getting ready to announce the new Tribute subject for our Under the Influence series which will be back on in Jan. 2009. As you know, in 2008, we paid tribute to mastermind Stan Lee, and our 2009 Tributee (is that a word? No? Cool), is right on par with Mr. Lee! Just you wait, I think it's what chu want.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Opening Tonight And Starting Today

If you live in San Francisco - make sure to stop by G1988: SF anytime tonight between 7-10 PM PST to attend the Ledbetter/Brandou show "Unspeakable," which you can preview at the post below. Great show!!!

And today, I wanted to start a new feature we're gonna have here on the blog called "5 Pieces...." Artists who we'll be spotlighting in upcoming shows, will pick 5 pieces from around the globe, and spanning all of history, that they are digging right now. The only requirement is...it can't be done by them.

I love this idea because I like seeing what paintings other artists are feeling at any given moment. Katie and I have a theory that if a lot of artists are buying one artist, it usually means good things for the that artist's future. We've seen it happen a lot actually. And seeing what an artist is into will sometimes give you a little peak into the origin of their style and the array of their influences. And the first installment does not disappoint.

Art center grad Ken Garduno is all over Los Angeles like those Grand Theft Auto IV billboards. Since graduating he not only illustrated in some of your favorite magazines, he's shown in all your favorite galleries too. And all-around cool dude and amazing artist, Garduno will be one of the artists in our Los Angeles location's upcoming show, "One to Grow On," which opens this coming Tuesday, May 20th, from 7-10 PM. Here's a sneak peek at one of his pieces -



So we asked Ken to pick 5 pieces that he's feeling right now, only a few days before the group show opening reception, as well as give us a few sentences on why, and this is what we got:

"5 Pieces I'm Digging, Not Made By Ken Garduno" by Ken Garduno



Charles Dana Gibson:
The line work in this piece is amazing. Gibson made it look too easy. It’s handled delicately with a lot of detail, but it has a loose quality about it that I love. Gibson’s girls are gorgeous.



Goya:
This is one of the images from art history that has always stuck in my head. It’s so twisted. I love it. I know he painted this in a dark period in his life, and it shows. This guy was nuts.



J.C.Leyendecker:
This guy is easily one of my favorite illustrators of all time. He makes everything look so smooth and sophisticated. I don’t imagine anyone could look this classy in real life. With all that amazing stuff in the foreground, who needs a background?



Al Hirschfeld:
This is the man. Everything he touched turned to gold. If you want to learn anything about linework, he IS the king. I love this piece in particular because of the use of pattern, curves, and grey tones.



Andrew Hem:
I’m lucky enough to know this guy. Everytime I see his work, I ask myself, “how the hell does he do it”? I tried to find a single image that I loved on his website, and I just gave up and picked this one. There are too many to pick from. Is there anything this guy can’t paint??

Thanks, Ken. I find it super weird that he picked Andrew Hem as his contemporary piece he's digging cause if you had asked me what artists that all other artists are digging right...I would've said him. Good to know, right? And keep an eye out for more of this feature cause I like it, and that's really all that matters.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Ledbetter/Brandou Preview

UNSPEAKABLE PREVIEW LINK

Pap Art Gallery

I'm not trying to take anything away from the Andrew Brandou art preview posted by Katie earlier in the day in prep for her "Unspeakable" show opening tomorrow night in San Francisco, but outside my window....



...they are filming "The Hills." And I mean, LC and Whitney have to be LA's Ledbetter and Brandou. For now.

I can hear Jenn Simkins crying at home.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Brandou!

WOW!!

The Andrew Brandou work has arrived... and it's SO GOOD!!!

Sneak peak...


"Osaka Nite Ride"


"Masterlock"

Upgrade!

For those of you that have had the distinct pleasure of venturing into SF's back room, I think you'll appreciate this posting.

We've re-done the room with some fancy, custom art-storage units. I wish I had a before picture, but it's prob better that more people didn't see it.


New storage units, freshly built with adjustable shelves that slide in and out!




New storage units with gallery inventory, demonstrating our excellent organizational skills (btw, all of that inventory is 15% off at the moment, scroll down to previous post)




Check that out! You can actually walk through our back room! Now my parents can't complain when they visit the gallery and make me feel like I'm 10 years old.

Hooray!


I thought I'd sneak this one in too. Here are a few Ledbetter's from the new show opening this Friday. They're all bubble wrapped in this pic, but you can get an idea...

It's ON!

Childbetter

Feels like rush hour at 1988, with tons of stuff going on in the next 2 weeks. Some are still secret, some aren't. Figured I'd hit you off with those that aren't. First off, we have "Unspeakable" - a new 2-man show from Joe Ledbetter and Andrew Brandou opening in SF a week from today! An exciting show for sure, here's your first blog sneak peek at Joe's new work, with some noticeable line work maturity. This one is called "Call to Arms."



And once we get some Brandou preview images, we'll get you one of those too, but for now, just relax and remember that show opens May 16, opening reception 7-10 PM in San Francisco.

Then we got "One to Grow On," a group show opening here in LA on May 20th, 7-10 PM. We've got tons of work in that one from amazing artists Allison Sommers, Bloo Empire, Brandon Bird, Dan Santat, Dave Chung, Erik Alos, Isaac Pierro, Israel Sanchez, Ken Garduno, Scott Campbell, Reuben Rude and Rich Tuzon. Below is a preview from Israel Sanchez, who has quickly become one of my favoritist (dictionary please) artists around.



This is really going to be an amazing show, with a piece from Isaac Pierro that we've been foaming at the mouth about for over a year! AND a new Scott Campbell print series release, this time the second set of Pac-Man beauties, seen below.



The sets are limited to 100, each print hand signed and numbered by the artist and 2.75 x 2.75 inches each. The sets are $65 each and look amazing all framed together. Again, these will first be available at the opening reception on the 20th, but shoot me over an email at gallery1988@aol.com if you want one, but won't be able to make the show - I'll make sure you blog loyalists get one.

A big shout out (do they still say that?) to Kanye, who picked up the Peter Gronquist show. You can see that, as well as read his readers' nice comments, BY CLICKING HERE. More thanks to HighSnobiety, MetroMix, MensRag, Danny Boy at Daily Dose, Slam X Hype, SwaggerDap, Gizmodo, VinylPulse, DVice and basically every blog ever for picking the show up for coverage. It's most likely is the most blog-covered show we've ever had, a Google search is even a bit dizzying.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Thanks, Lee.

Got some cool mag press in the recent Lee's Toy Review. I figured I'd post this one cause it's our first mainstream toy press ever. Take that, Tickle Me Elmo.





Also, be on the lookout for a huge email blast and announcement on the blog this next week regarding saving all you people a lot of money for a limited time. So, email us at gallery1988@aol.com and tell us to add you to our mailing list, if you aren't already on....cause some savings are on their way.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Summer Madness

We have an amazing lineup of shows and new projects to be released this summer in San Francisco and Los Angeles and to start things off... drumroll please...

JOE LEDBETTER is back at 1988 with the incredible Mr. ANDREW BRANDOU!



This is a huge show and it opens a week from Friday, so get ready cause there's going to be some amazing artwork arriving in SF...


And then in LA, I am very excited to announce that the new Scott Campbell PacMans print set is ready!



But you're going to have to be a little patient because we've decided to wait to release until the opening of our next LA show, which opens on May 20th.



Scott Campbell is one of the featured artists in the new show, so it makes sense to release the new print set at the show, right? Right. Only a few more weeks.


And then one more teaser for the blog readers. A new little something that we're working on. Is it a print? Maybe. Maybe not...



Katie
G1988 SF

Heat

Last night's opening reception for Peter's "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous" was GREAT! People seem genuinely really stoked to see the installation, as Peter really put together an impressive show of his weapons. And having an LV rifle sitting in the front Melrose window causes quite a stir, trust me. GREAT turnout for the show, especially considering this weekend was what I've been calling "Multi-Media Madness" - with GTA IV (anyone else noticing the COPE2 tags in Coney Island?), Mario Kart, Iron Man and Murakami having a painting show in LA. And I'm not even taking the Full House rerun marathon into consideration. But thanks to everyone who came out, and those who haven't seen the exhibit in person, it only runs until May 16th, so make it snappy. And I guess you could always just see the pieces online by CLICKING HERE.

Here's a 2 pics of Peter Gronquist chilling on his INSANE Louis Vuitton Electric Chair, which also have a place card that reads "Reserved for Tom Sachs."





And here's "The Beast," an incredible journalist who's been covering our gallery in publications like Italian Vogue and Elle since our first show in 2004. Beast is literally one of my favorite people in the universe, and is so ahead of his time I'm surprised we're even able to see him walk in.



And although almost impossible to follow up a picture like that with any sort of important announcement, I think I might just have a chance...



Yes, it's back.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Gun Control Means Using Both Hands In My Land

NRA, throw your hands up! Tonight, 7-10 PM, join us for the opening reception for "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous," featuring these beauties and more. Here's what Flavorpill had to say about the exhibit:

"Weapons of mass designer," Peter Gronquist's tongue-in-cheek label for his hilarious and poignant sculptures, is actually a quite literal description of his work: think tanks decked out in Burberry plaid, Gucci-logo chainsaws, and Louis Vuitton's once-coveted Murakami cherry-blossom print decorating a shotgun. Playing the role of a modern-day Warhol, Gronquist uses little discretion in commenting on issues such as greed in his works, which expertly reveal the relationship between war and capitalism.

Thanks for that one, Flavorpill! Again, take a second from killing people in GTA IV (Best game ever, btw) or come before/after your Iron Man screening, and see what fake violence looks like as art off a screen.

Jensen
G1988: LA