BILLLLLLLLLLLLL!

We here at Gallery1988 are major Bill Murray fans, so much so that I have a cat with the same name. I feel like our parents had Peter Sellers, their parents had Buster Keaton, and we have Bill. An absolute eccentric genius who has inspired so much in our generation, he almost warrants a "OH MAN" every time you start rattling off the movies he's been in. That's why we decided to tribute Mr. Murray with our newest show, "Please Post Bills." Opening Nov. 3 at the Melrose gallery, next Thursday, this exhibit will feature 80 artists, all creating paintings, sculptures and prints influenced by the movies, TV appearances and iconic jokes of a comedic legend.

Our friends over at SlashFilm posted the first preview to "Please Post Bills," so we wanted to share the love over here at our blog.

Miranda Dressler reminds us what the best part of re-living Feb. 2nd over and over would be.

Rich Pellegrino earns his Stripes.

Kiersten Essenpreis take aim at one of the most iconic Bill Murray moments. I think he can hear you, Ray.

Jesse Riggle looks at the many layers of the classic funnyman.

Jeff Boyes, one of my personal favorite screenprint artists, reminds you of some of Bill's best roles.

Dave Perillo got you, babe.

Remember, this show opens next Thursday, Nov. 3rd from 7-10 PM here at Gallery1988 (Melrose). Celebrate a legend and see what he's inspired. The artists came, and saw, and kicked its ass.

Jensen

G1988 (Melrose)

New Prints Released!

We have four new prints for sale...


Kiersten Essenpreis
"Skeletor Gets a Root Canal"
giclee print on archival paper
12 x 12 inches
limited edition of 50
signed and numbered
$65.00



Kiersten Essenpreis
"Trimming the Bowl Cut"
giclee print on archival paper
12 x 12 inches
limited edition of 50
signed and numbered
$65.00



Michael Steele
"Where we're going, we don't need roads."
giclee print on archival paper
14 x 14 inches
limited edition of 35
numbered, unsigned
$60.00



David Soames
"The Ultimate Combo"
5 color screenprint
18 x 24 inches
limited edition of 100
signed and numbered
$35.00

These prints are NOW AVAILABLE for purchase on our website: http://www.nineteeneightyeight.com/catalognew

You Are About To Enter...

Tonight, 7-10 PM, will be the opening reception for "Another Dimension," our newest group show, this time paying tribute to the classic Sci-Fi television show, "The Twilight Zone." Here are some last minute sneaks before we open up for tonight, do not miss this one....







Tom Whalen took aim at some of the Twilight Zone's most famous actors and episodes, by taking the stars and putting them in other roles, but still in the Twilight Zone episode. Pretty awesome and smart, and these are VERY limited.



Ken Garduno, who did 10 pieces for the show (!), is really the stand out. This one is based on "Time Enough At Last," my favorite episode.





Wade Schin created another one of his epic one-a-kind figures, this one just might terrorize a young William Shatner from the wing of an airplane.





On the subject of smart, Mylan Nguyen did an incredible piece based on "Time Enough At Last." This one is a book that she drew and painted on, representing Burgess Meredith's ever-so-beloved (yet tragic) books. But open the book up, and see more of Mylan's work, and the back up glasses Burgess should have made, with include actual coke bottle bottoms and tape. SUCH A SMART PIECE!



G1988 fav Kiersten Essenpreis enters "The Eye Of The Beholder," another classic tale. Not everyone can be beautiful.



Another "Time Enough At Last" piece, this time by Ellen Schinderman, who created a needlepoint depicting that infamous final scene...right before his world comes crashing down.

Again, DO NOT MISS TONIGHT! Going to be a great show to see in person....

Jensen
G1988:LA

You're now entering...

Been pretty excited to announce this show for over a year....



We'll be paying tribute to what is easily one of the most influential television shows in the history of the medium, "The Twilight Zone," with "Another Dimension," where over 50 artists will reinterpret and remix episodes, themes and iconography from classic episodes of the series. As a DIE HARD Twilight Zone fan, this is easily going to be a 2010 highlight for me at least (and when you own a gallery, you can book with that in mind). The show opens Thursday, May 20th and will have an opening reception from 7-10 PM. Will we play the Twilight Zone theme show over and over again on loop? Probably not. But maybe.

The above postcard features a small bit of artist Dave Perillo's piece, which is so awesome. Below is the entire image...



And one more tease....this one from G1988 favorite Kiersten Essenpries who takes aim at the famous "Eye Of The Beholder" episode...



Relive one of the greatest pieces of Science Fiction and mark down May 20th for "Another Dimension" at G1988: LA!

Jensen
G1988:LA

Engrish

Entering the final week of "Under The Influence: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe," is a tough time to be working in the gallery. The fact that we built Greyskull in here is pretty special, and I'm having trouble letting it go. But yes, it will all be gone this Friday. But before then, we wanted to point out another great press clipping from this weekend. This one from AOL's Asylum...



You can read the article, which includes quotes from artists Johnny Sampson, Ben Strawn and Kiersten Essenepreis, by CLICKING HERE.

Another thing that does ease the pain of destroying Greyskull88 - it makes way from the Grass Hut invasion!



"Glass Hat," an exhibit that will feature artists from the collective "Grass Hut," will open on Thursday, Feb 4th, with an opening reception from 7 - 10 PM. It will feature artwork from Grass Hut artists, Bwana Spoons, Martin Ontiveros, Le Merde, Apak, Justin "Scrappers" Morrison and Arbito, but also feature GH affiliates Shanggs, Shawn Wolfe, Gargamel, David Horvath, Kiyoshi Nakazawa and John Black. Going to awesome! Wanna know more about Grass Hat and the show? I asked the guys to break it down for us...and here's what I got:

Imagine a club house (or hut) made of beards, fluorescent paint,
driftwood, plastic toys, beat up skateboards, swimming suits, colorful
string and bottle caps. That's Grass Hut!

It all started with Bwana Spoons. He made art that inspired us all. He
invited us to show art with him, he's the reason we came together.
Scrappers, Le Merde, Martin Ontiveros, and Apak have come to be know as
Grass Hut.
These artists have helped Grass Hut grow by curating group shows, teaching
each other how to make toys, making websites for each other, painting
murals, working the shop counter, shipping, answering email, making each
other laugh with fart jokes, and by having the kind of fun that informs
the work we do.
Grass Hut is a gallery/shop/studio located in Portland, but all the
artists involved have turned it more into a colorful wildfire of
creativity that has spread throughout the tubes of the internet connecting
artists from around the world.
Beyond the brick and mortar of the Portland location, Grass Hut grows in
the work done by it's extended family: Arbito, Snaggs, Shawn Wolfe,
Gargamel, David Horvath, Kiyoshi Nakazawa, John Black and You make this
whole thing more important then the people involved.
Now it's about the spirit of stoking each other's creative fires and
making art that reminds everyone to have fun.

Glass Hat is a mistranslation of Grass Hut from a translation site our
friends in Japan used. The first time I got an email from Chanmen (of
Gargamel) and it said Glass Hat I shit myself with laughter.

Glass Hat at Gallery 1988 is our chance to take all the fun we've had
making Grass Hut a creative playground and explode.

Expect fresh original paintings, one-of-a-kind custom painted toys,
special print editions, and collaborations of all shapes and sizes.

Told you....sounds awesome, right? This week I'll get you some previews too. In the meanwhile, just imagine goodness.

Jensen
G1988:LA

Bring The Walls Down

Back in the gallery installing our next show "Under The Influence: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" which will open THIS FRIDAY night, from 7-10 PM. And the entire gallery will be transformed into Castle Greyskull, which is most likely something that no one has ever said before. That whole process starts tomorrow. In the meantime, figured what better time to give you more previews.

First up, in addition to Alex Pardee's big Skeletor piece which was unveiled during Comic Con, the man himself created a handful of small watercolors depicting some of his other favorite bad guys. Here are 3 of my favs...



Triclops



Clawful



Faker

Fresh off her awesome 88point5 show, Allison Reimold depicts her version of the classic good vs. evil battle - He-Man vs. Skeletor. This one is incredible in person...



And fresh off his outstanding success during the LOST Underground Art Project with his Crash poster, Eric Tan switches up the style with an edition depicting Battlecat. This is an INCREDIBLE print and they'll sell out fast. TRUST ME.



For the first time at Gallery1988, artist Project Detonate delivered a fresh piece of everyone's favorite pest, Orko. We hope to work with Detonate more in the future, cause this is one of our favorite pieces in the show.



Kiersten Essenpreis is basically batting 1.000 at this point. Every piece is more witty than the next. here she shows us what He-Man and Skeletor might do on their days off, focusing on some major grooming tough spots...





Another new-to-1988 artist, Australian Meggs, has contributed a stunning piece - as this isn't the first time the artist has pulled influence from the toy line/cartoon.



Staring at these pieces, and MANY more, sitting on the floor right now, waiting for Greyskull to be built, is a pretty fun way to past the time. I tell you. All for this Friday! More news coming about this show, including a possible toy reveal that involves one of your favorite shows on a certain network that airs cartoons.

AND, one last thing. We want to thank everybody who voted and Kid Robot, as their 2009 Robo Award Winners were announced and Gallery1988 was named "Outstanding Art Gallery" of the year!



We are total flattered and stoked. Thank you guys and we hope to have 2010 not let you down (win, it won't, wink).

Jensen
G1988:LA

600

600th post. Feels nice for really no reason.

Wrapping up Crazy 4 Cult 3-D tomorrow. People will start to pick up their pieces and we'll begin the shipping process of what turned out to be the most successful show of 2009 so far. We really loved this year's installment, although missed our hosts Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier (but don't yet count them out of G1988 this year), and we want to thank EVERY artist who participated and obviously worked their asses off to make the show look that good! And thanks to every blog and press outlet who covered it! And don't say you weren't warned...."CRAZY 4 CULT 4: The Case of the Redundant Number" in 2010!

And now we look forward to "Monsters of POP!" opening this coming Tuesday, August 11th, featuring the work of Kiersten Essenpreis, Brandon Bird, Dave MacDowell and Netherland. We've shown you some of the Netherlan goodness last week...so for your weekend enjoyment here are two more sneak peaks at the 4-person exhibition.



"Freddy's Mishap" by Kiersten Essenpreis might be my favorite yet. Kiersten did an entire series with her take on classic monsters and in this one, Nightmare on Elm Street's Freddy may have over extended himself a little. Look for her takes on Hitchcock's Birds, the Haunted House, Medusa and the Bad Seed. Pretty cool.



In what has to be the saddest coincidence in gallery history, Dave MacDowell pays tribute to the late John Hughes, a writer/director that not only was always one of my favorites, but also helped shape my generation. This is Dave's take on Edward Hooper's "Nighthawks," replacing the gloomy Diner inhabitants with the cast of the Brat Pack classic "The Breakfast Club." When Dave sent me the picture of this piece a few months ago, I LOVED it. And after the untimely passing of Hughes yesterday, I love it even more - as it captures the magic of The Breakfast Club, and pays tribute to one of the best. Awesome.

Remember, this and more at "Monsters of POP!" Opening Tuesday night, August 11st, 7-10 PM at G1988: LA.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Monsters of POP

Our next LA show will put a huge smile on your face. The show, featuring all very recognizable pop-culture refrences, includes work by Brandon Bird, Kiersten Essenpreis, Netherland and Dave MacDowell. Pop-culture meets fine art is what we do best here at G1988 LA and this show won't let you down. Here are a few preview pics from Netherland to get you started...



Netherland
"What Chu Lookin’ At Willis?"
9x12 inches



Netherland
"Love Connection"
12x12 inches

Monsters of POP opens August 11th at Gallery1988 Los Angeles, which means that Crazy 4 Cult 3D is coming to a close. Cult 3D's last day will be August 8th, so this coming week is you last chance to see the show in person! Hurry!

G1988 LA

Worth A Sponge

This one has been SUPER anticipated....


(click image to enlarge)

Kiersten Essenpreis
"Seinfeldology (99 Seinfeld References)"
giclee print on archival paper
11 x 14 inches
hand-signed, numbered edition of 100
$65.00 each

The limited edition giclee prints of Kiersten's "Idiot Box" painting, which seemed to get more love on the Internet than even Susan Boyle, are finally becoming available! These will be available for purchase on Friday, June 5th starting at Noon PST. You can email us then (we'll have to erase any emails sent before) or call us at (323) 937 - 7088 at Noon PST to place an order. These prints came out great, since Kiersten's detail was so insane we made sure to pick up all the little references.

This will good on your wall, next to all the Superman stuff, and near the cereal boxes.

Jensen
G1988: LA

About to fall over...

(Daniel Danger)

My life these past few days feels like a blur. We're talking non-stop, no rest for a week straight. It started when I flew down to LA for Idiot Box, which was so much fun! It was a GREAT show, so even though I had to wake up at 4am to fly back to SF the next morning, it was definitely worth going. Got back to SF on Friday and went straight to work on the Danger/McCarthy show, which opened last Saturday. This show is incredible. I have never heard so many people say this was their favorite show we've ever had. The opening went great, was a little hectic when we first opened the doors because a lot of people wanted to grab the new Danger prints that were released. But the real chaos didn't start until Sunday morning when I work up thinking, hooray it's the weekend!, but then reality set in when I looked at our inbox to find hundreds of inquires about the Danger and McCarthy prints from the new show. Ok, so this is a good "problem" to have, that so many people love these two artists, but it was a little overwhelming at first, I must admit. But in the end, hooray for a successful show and congratulations to Dan McCarthy and Daniel Danger because they worked their butts off for this show.

The show was picked up by Flavorpill, Hi-Fructose and Arrested Motion, which is so awesome! You can check out the articles, which also feature pics of the artists and interviews...

Hi-Fructose: http://hifructose.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=333

Arrested Motion: http://arrestedmotion.com/2009/04/openings-daniel-danger-dan-mccarthy-gallery-1988-sf/#more-17056

Flavorpill: http://flavorpill.com/sanfrancisco/events/2009/4/4/the-watcher-in-the-woods

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the show and spread the word!!

If you're interested in seeing all of the work, please visit the show blog here... http://1988watcher.blogspot.com. The show will be up until April 25th, so definitely check it out in person if you can.


AND THEN.....


(Kiersten Essenpries)

We have exciting news about the Seinfeldology contest. Yes, that's right! We have a winner....

Nistasha Perez from Chicago got every single answer correct from the reference key!! So, Nistasha's big prize for winning is an artist proof of Luke Chueh's "Disintegration" prints.

And coming in a very close second was G1988 friend and long time supporter, Cory Sontag! Cory got 98 of the 99 Seinfeld references correct! Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest. We will be releasing prints of Kiersten's piece in the near future, so stayed tuned!

Yadda Yadda Yadda

"Idiot Box" is so insanely soon here at G1988: LA and we're getting 5-10 pieces a day here in the gallery now. And each one is more impressive than the next. Kiersten Essenpreis, who has quickly become one of my favorite artists around, took Seinfeld worship to a WHOLE new level with her piece, "Seinfeldology (a.k.a. 99 Seinfeld References)." And yes, it titled literally.



So insanely perfect and detailed. And you know what that means? It's contest time. Using the key below, write down as many of the 99 Seinfeld references you can, matching them with the numbers.



To enter, if you live in Los Angeles, give me your attempts by hand at the opening reception on April 2nd. If you live outside of Los Angeles, but in the United States, mail us your entry at:

Gallery1988: LA
7020 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
90038

Please make sure to include your mailing address on the entry, in case you're a winner. The entry MUST BE RECEIVED at the gallery by April 2nd and WE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING EMAIL ENTRIES AT ALL. Unfortunately, this is a US only contest. If we have a tie, the winner will be chosen by random picking, by my dog, Benjamin Peeny.

The winner will get...an artist proof print of Luke Chueh's "Disintegration" giclee. Yup. That's the grand prize. Pretty sponge worthy.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Who Framed Tons of Records?

Getting 17 boxes from the frame shop took up most of our day, but not as much as we predicted really. Enough to give you some more preview pics of tomorrow nights show at the LA gallery, which opens Tuesday night, 7 - 10 PM. Those just tuning in, the show is called "Cover Band" - and over 50 artists took classic album covers and went to town to create brand new pieces of art. Seeing them all in frames is pretty awesome...but here's some more to get you ready for tomorrow...



Those who got our reminder email this morning saw this gem from Mark Brown, who took his liberties on Nirvana's "Nevermind" (kinda like what Courtney Love is doing now, but cool and respectful).



Kiersten Essenpreis is slowly becoming one of my favs, especially after her two Pee Wee masterpieces in Crazy 4 Cult 2. This time the Ramones get into the Halloween spirit.



Phoneticontrol, of PFOM fame, made a visit to Paul's Boutique, getting us amped for the Jan 2009 tribute show we're holding right here at G1988: LA.



One of my favs from the show, Israel Sanchez is one of many artists who picked a Beatles album. But he is the only person who referenced Yoko. BEATLES - DO THIS!

Can't wait for you guys to see this show, very fun and affordable - all while keeping a really upbeat attitude during what are obviously shitty times all around us.

Let's just smile?

Jensen
G1988: LA