Steve Olson and Mathew Curran had a\u00a0unique\u00a0opportunity to work together on a spectacular showing of their artwork, deep in the heart of Venice, California, long known for being home\u00a0to some of the most creative artists on the planet. Tad Pilati graciously offered up the space for this two-night only exhibition of Olson and Curran’s masterpieces and there was a long list of Hollywood heavies and surf\/skate\/art VIPs in attendance.<\/p>\n
The “New Art”\u00a0show consisted of four collaboration pieces created by Olson and Curran with a street art mural vibe featured prominently on Pacific Avenue for all to see and appreciate. The walls inside the pop-up gallery were split evenly between Olson and Curran and displayed each of the artists’ most current work.<\/p>\n
Olson\u2019s art featured a variety of materials including surfboards, pleather, staples, adhesive, paint, snake-skin patterns, vinyl, wood, multiple layers and a vast array of fabulous textures. The \u201cBlack Flag\u201d and \u201cWhite Flag\u201d and pleather wrapped surfboards were just a few of the highlights of his work. \u201cSkateboards to Hell\u201d and \u201cAnytime Anywhere\u201d as well as the \u201cParliament Flag\u201d sold before the show even opened to the public.<\/p>\n
Curran\u2019s art had a bold graffiti-influenced street art vibe with sharp fast lines, expertly cut stencils, transparency, shadows and negative spaces featuring a dark subject matter filled with ravens, sea serpents and samurai’s. The buzz was hot for this up-and-coming transplanted Brit as the critics fawned over his creations and his show sold out in only two days.<\/p>\n
The theme of the show relayed a message of corporate giants at war with the worker bees and individual forces at play in a power struggle for humanity. Olson\u2019s flag collection spoke to the tragedy of the most recent oil spill in Santa Barbara with pieces like \u201cIn Oil We Trust\u201d and \u201cClean It Up, Buddy\u201d.<\/p>\n
Olson art and Curran art is available by commission. Contact Steve Olson at\u00a0steveolson3000@gmail.com. Contact Mathew Curran at\u00a0able@mathewcurran.com.\u00a0Check out this video as well as a few photos from opening night.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Review by Terri Craft<\/p>\n
Edited by Brian Boog. \r\nFilmed by Dan Levy, Vans Davey, Terri Craft<\/pre>\n