THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS: CURIOUS CREATURES & ICONIC CHARACTERS

As the seasons shift, Downtown Los Angeles' Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) prepares to open its doors to an enchanting showcase of artistry and imagination with The Unusual Suspects: Curious Creatures and Iconic Characters. Beginning November 2nd, the Main Gallery will host six visionary artists who bring their uniquely stylized creatures and characters to life in ways that both challenge and celebrate the whimsical, mysterious, and occasionally bizarre corners of the human psyche. The featured artists—Andy Adamson, Jun Makita, Martin Hsu, Matt Dangler, Robert Palacios, and Sas Christian—offer mini solo exhibitions that draw from personal stories, cultural influences, and humor to create works that resonate deeply with audiences.

Andy Adamson: Humor and Irony in Ceramic

Kicking off the lineup, ceramic sculptor Andy Adamson presents a series of brilliantly crafted sculptures that infuse gallows humor with campy charm. Adamson’s pieces are as much a critique as they are a celebration of pop-culture consumerism. Sculptures like Insane Cloud Posse and Baberaham blend glossy glazes with intricate detail, drawing on the kitschy allure of mass-produced figurines while subverting their simplicity with deeper, often ironic messages. The artist’s talent for combining humor with biting commentary ensures that each piece offers viewers a multilayered experience.

Jun Makita: Whimsical Narratives from Japan

From Japan, Jun Makita brings a vibrant pop sensibility, seamlessly merging the natural world with punk and hip-hop influences. Makita’s works, painted with acrylics on canvas, capture the artist’s deep love for animals, plants, and classic art. His pieces like Jeans Samurai and In a Corner of the Classroom offer dynamic compositions that transport viewers into realms where whimsy meets heartfelt melancholy. Makita’s artistry is uniquely immersive, inviting audiences to find joy and laughter within the unexpected juxtapositions of his eclectic inspirations.

Martin Hsu: New Traditional Asian Art

San Francisco-based Martin Hsu weaves mythology, nature, and heritage into his “New Traditional Asian Art.” Drawing inspiration from his Taiwanese roots, Hsu creates dreamlike worlds using delicate brushwork, vibrant colors, and luminous symbolism. His paintings, including The Keeper and The Seeker, are windows into surreal realms where mythical creatures coexist with elements of nature, bridging traditional Asian aesthetics with contemporary storytelling. Hsu’s work is both nostalgic and forward-thinking, capturing the viewer’s imagination with a subtle yet powerful sense of peace and wonder.

Matt Dangler: Mystical Realms of the Subconscious

Bringing an ethereal touch, Matt Dangler channels mystical and oceanic inspirations through oil paintings that reflect the surreal landscapes of the subconscious. Growing up on the New Jersey shore and amidst woodland trails, Dangler infuses his art with elements of both oceanic and woodland creatures. Works like The Necromancer and The Mystical Moon reveal hidden layers of personality and invite viewers to see their own subconscious mirrored in his expressive characters. Dangler’s creations are gateways to otherworldly introspection, capturing emotions that feel both fantastical and profoundly familiar.

Robert Palacios: Pop Surrealism with Vivid Flair

Los Angeles artist Robert Palacios brings Pop Surrealism to life with dynamic color and bold compositions. Each piece captures the viewer’s attention with familiar yet dreamlike landscapes filled with symbolic narratives. In works like Rosemary and Elephant in the Room, Palacios draws from the everyday and reinvents it with a playful twist. His characters navigate surreal realities, encouraging viewers to explore the layers of story within each whimsical, brightly colored scene.

Sas Christian: Evocative Big-Eyed Portraits

British artist Sas Christian captivates audiences with her Pop Surrealist portraits of big-eyed girls, rendered with classical oil techniques and infused with cinematic drama. Inspired by fashion, film, and luminary artists, Christian’s work possesses an emotive intensity that invites viewers to connect deeply with her subjects’ micro-expressions. Her paintings, marked by an intense gaze, are hauntingly beautiful, with each piece serving as a poignant exploration of the human condition.

Opening Night and Gallery Info

Opening night, free to the public, promises an immersive art experience on November 2nd, from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, at Corey Helford Gallery’s Main Gallery. The Unusual Suspects runs concurrently with Ryoko Kaneta’s A Change of Scenery in Gallery 2 and Bruno Pontiroli’s Histoires Naturelles & Grotesques in Gallery 3. This vibrant exhibition is on view until December 7th, providing a rare opportunity to dive into the imaginative worlds of six artists who redefine what it means to bring creatures and characters to life.

For art lovers, critics, and the curious alike, The Unusual Suspects is a feast for the eyes and mind, with each artist offering a unique perspective that challenges and delights.