by Tanya Gayer

Artshop is proud to announce its third exhibition and lecture event featuring work by Christopher X Bost.  Bost’s exhibition, entitled At, Into, Through, will open at Progressive Grounds on April 5th through May 15th. The workshop/lecture will be held on Saturday April 6th at 7pm. Artshop is a lecture and exhibition series that occurs every 2 months, coinciding with the Mission Arts and Performance Project, a local music, performance, and art walk located in the Mission District.

Bost’s artwork is both process-oriented and a methodical activity. In his spray paint and acrylic pieces he places stripe upon stripe upon stripe that is often drawn from his experience within landscape. Based partially in Joshua Tree and San Francisco, Bost uses his experience of contrasting landscapes, light, and mood of the area to incorporate within his paintings. As each person’s perception of a landscape is different and inspiring, it is these unique glimpses that Bost considers, which simultaneously appear sublime and terrible.  Bost takes into account that visual representation is fraught with tropes, and limited by tools for describing an unlimited experience.  In order to bridge this gap, Bost’s paintings involve gestures that push beyond the wall and settle readily into known flatness. Within this tension, terrain is provided for an encouraged journey into untold expansive visual awareness. This movement establishes an invitation to find respite; to step beyond our daily moment to contemplate deep satisfactions known in nature.

Bost has exhibited his works in UCSD, Space 868, The Red Arrow Gallery, The 29 Palms Creative Center, Rebecca Ibel Gallery, The Mattress Factory, Spruill Center, New Los Angeles International Contemporary Art Fair, Red Dot Art Fair, NYC, and in Space (curated by Thad Kellstadt in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).

Christopher X Bost will have his opening and lecture on Saturday April 6th at 7pm in Progressive Grounds Mission (2301 Bryant Street, SF). He will focus on the development of his work, his concepts, and his process of understanding the landscape that surrounds him.  Artshop is free and open to the public to attend and participate.

All images by cxBost.

On Saturday, December 1st, 14 Black Poppies produced a very special Mission Arts and Performance Project happening at Progressive Grounds. It included performances by Star Amerasu, Phil McGaughy, and moi!

Star sang both acoustic covers of current pop favorites from Lady Gaga to Beyonce and some original tunes. Her voice drew people in and transported them to another time and place. It was almost as if she cast a spell amongst the audience. She is simple mesmerizing.

In addition to being a visual artist, Phil is also a musician. He performed five of his original songs on guitar. His ability to weave humorous musical tales reflected the playfulness in his visual art.

I performed my original and award-winning fable, "The Peach Thief". It is a part of my Ex Libris De Corpus project where I am transforming myself into a modern day Illustrated Man, where each tattoo tells a tale.

We also hosted Artshop, an artist lecture and workshop series curated by Tanya Gayer, with current exhibiting artist Phil McGaughy in conversation with gallerist Marialidia Marcotulli of Space 868 in Bolinas.