FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2017
ARTISTS REPUBLIC GALLERY OPENS IN ANAHEIM
Grand Opening: Saturday, February 25, 2017, 6-9 pm – Free and Open to the Public
Opening Shows:
- AUTOBIOMYTHOGRAPHICAL, Michael Hsiung, Solo Exhibition
- TEN 2017: a group exhibition of 10 artists living and working in Orange County, California
ANAHEIM, CA (February 8, 2017) Artists Republic is proud to announce the official grand opening of our new location at the Anaheim GardenWalk on February 25th, 2017. The reception from 6-9pm will be free and open to the public and will feature two exhibits highlighting the works of New Contemporary artists living and working in Southern California.
In our solo exhibition space we are pleased to present “Autobiomythographical” a collection of new works by Michael Hsiung. Michael is a Los Angeles native working as a full time artist and was recently awarded gold in New Zealand’s Best Graphic Design. His pen and ink illustrations consist of mythology and narrative with a hint of humor within each image. This will be Michaels first solo exhibition in several years, and will consist of over 30 new works. Michael says, “The works are all a bit autobiographical, mythological, and graphical. I guess that’s how my brain works – it slams together various parts of myself together: my interests, my subconscious, my fantasies, and my hopes. All of them are in some way or another about human nature and the relationships between humans and nature, humans and animals, and humans and humans.” With a background heavily embedded in surf and skate culture, Michael is a perfect artist to bring in a new chapter at Artists Republic.
In our group space we are proud to host our third annual TEN exhibition – with works from ten prominent Orange County artists selected because of their talents and impact that they are making on the OC art community and beyond. One of our most popular shows, this year’s TEN show highlights work from Averi Endow, Ben Brough, Brian Bent, Diana Markessinis, Laurie Hassold, Michelle Bickford, Patrick Carrie, Randy Noborikawa, Cody
Jimenez and Tyler Spangler, and includes sculpture, 2-D and 3-D art pieces.
For more information about the artists and hires images of art, please email torrey@ar4t.com.
About Michael Hsiung:
Born in Chinatown, Los Angeles, Michael C. Hsiung is a self taught artist known for his black-and-white pen and ink drawings. His work features a range of strangely rotund characters from fantastical creatures, such as centaurs and mermen to bearded dirt bags often celebrating, imbibing, and rebel-rousing. He has exhibited his works in various
galleries and shows, such as East of Eden (2008), Helsinki Biennial (2008), Murray State University (2009), Slingluff Gallery, PA (Solo show: 2010), THIS gallery (2012), LA HEAT at CAM (2014), and “Who Cares Wins” at the Vincent Price Art Museum (2014). Most recently Michael was the featured artist for the Dew Tour Long Beach (2016) and his commercial work can be seen with companies like Dr. Martens, Enjoi Skateboards, Momentum Wheels,
Matix, VICE, Ambig, and VANS. In 2016 Michael was awarded gold in New Zealand’s Best Graphic Design for his designs with Y&R for Blunt Umbrellas. Michael has also been very involved with the New Contemporary movement by writing for prominent art blogs such as Fecal Face, daily du jour, Vans art blog, and He currently lives with his wife, Rachel, in LA where he continues to make art, zines, and exhibit. http://www.michaelchsiung.com
About Artists Republic:
Since opening its doors in 2010, Artists Republic has been one of Orange County’s premier venues for new contemporary art. Previously located in Laguna Beach, CA, the gallery is dedicated to the support of emerging and mid-career artists whose work has impacted and influenced lives through youth culture. Artists Republic Gallery is located at 400 Disney Way in Anaheim, CA and specializes in original works, prints, books and more. www.artistsrepublic.com.
About The New Contemporary Movement:
The New Contemporary movement, widely acknowledged to have begun in the early 90’s on the West Coast, evolved in reaction to a conceptual turn in fine art. Founded in part on a rejection of the arbitrary division of visual culture that tends to elevate “high art” above the social and popular realms, the movement invoked the countercultural and drew content from an immersion in social experience. The standard of excessive academicism and abstraction, against which it grew, was commonly held in higher regard than more figurative, graphic or representational forms of art. This marginalization inspired the New Contemporary movement to set its own terms and create its own context for the reception of its work. With a renewed emphasis on technical skill, narrative and representation, it has
encouraged a social return in art. Moving away from the standard art education model that demands graduate school, an excess of critical rhetoric and an art world careerism, these artists, many of whom are self-taught, have sought their own inspiration and voice instead, drawing on everything from popular culture and social media platforms, to street art, murals and graffiti. By creating a distinct community in support of the diversity of its visions and styles, the movement has mortared and upheld its own invisible school.
About Anaheim GardenWalk:
Anaheim GardenWalk is a 460,000-square-foot outdoor dining, shopping and entertainment destination situated in the heart of the Anaheim Resort District just steps from the Disneyland® Resort, Anaheim Convention Center, and a short drive from Angel Stadium and Honda Center. Anaheim GardenWalk is home to a distinctive collection of popular restaurants, vibrant nightlife, trendy shops, an upscale bowling lounge and fun family events. New exciting happenings are well underway at Anaheim GardenWalk, including the addition of outstanding restaurants, entertainment venues and retail shops. Upon completion of the redevelopment, Anaheim GardenWalk will provide a one-of-a-kind guest experience and a world-class gathering place for locals and visitors. For more information, visit Anaheim GardenWalk and follow the center on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Michael Hsiung’s solo exhibition “Autobiomythographical” and our annual group exhibition “Ten” open Saturday, February 25th from 6 to 9pm. The artists will be in attendance. Shows run February 25-March 25, 2017 at Artists Republic Gallery, 400 Disney Way, Ste. #137 Anaheim, CA. Works are for sale. Gallery hours starting February 26 : Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm and by appointment. www.artists-republic.com.
CONTACT:
Torrey Cook, Gallery Owner
torrey@ar4t.com
949.988.0603