Tonight! Support Cal Poly Hip Hop - Music And Art Show

A word from the Hip Hop Congress:

Hello Fellow Hip Hop Heads,

Don't forgot that Cal Poly's Hip Hop Congress is throwing a very exciting Hip Hop Music and Art show tonight, March 2, 2009, in Chumash Auditorium on the Cal Poly campus at 8 PM. We've added Jeff Claassen and Stenzskull to the art roster. We'll also have bboy's on the side getting down and of course our featured Hip Hop artists Random Abiladeze, Public Defendaz, Rahman Jamaal and B-Man on the stage.

We're trying to bring more musical diversity to campus and are working to show Cal Poly that there is a Hip Hop scene on campus. Bring your friends, your friend's friends and anybody you can. Your support will help Hip Hop Congress bring more shows to campus!

See you there,
Hip Hop Congress - Cal Poly SLO
www.myspace.com/calpolyhiphopcongress

Titillating Gallery Shots And The Love Of My Life

I just posted a bunch of "installation shots" from the Lovesick show on my Flickr page. For those of you pressed for time or possess a hatred for having to navigate away from the current page or are just too plain lazy to click on that link I have hand picked (or shall I say mouse clicked) a few shots that I think best represent the exhibit.


This is the main wall where I have over forty pieces on display.





This is one of the guest artists walls. This particular wall features Stenzskull, Aaron Kraten, and Nic Rodriguez.




This is the other guest artists wall featuring Neal Breton and Kendra Binney.




Here are some peeps checking out the show. Thank God people showed up, which kept me from feeling like a loser on suicide watch.




And this is what you see when you enter the front door of Alpha Cult.



There are some more detailed photos if you dare to venture on over to, once again, my flickr page. Unfortunately, I never got any of those arm in arm big smiling gang throwing glamour shots with any of the patrons, guest artists, or gallery owners. That's sad for me. What's not sad for me, however, is that I've been eating Candy Cane Joe Joe's all night!

Stenzskull For Ten More Days

The Stenzskull solo show ends in ten days. Come by the gallery and check it out before it's too late. You can now see most of the work on my site. Also, we got some press last week. If you are a SLO local hopefully you picked up the most recent issue of New Times (a new issue comes out every Thursday so today will be your last chance to get a copy). Of course with the craziness of today's gadgets and gizmos you never really miss out because you can just go online for everything. (And I mean "everything".) So, if you missed the printed version of New Times you can check out the article at http://newtimesslo.com/art/1010/cats-stacks-and-skulls/. Or, for the really adventurous, you can always zoom in on these photos (simply click on the photo) and hope not to strain your eyes too much.






Stay tuned, more news coming soon!

Stenzskull Tomorrow Night

Stenzskull came to the gallery this afternoon and applied his madness to the outside gallery wall. The reception/party for his solo exhibit is tomorrow night. I hope to see all your fine sexy asses there.










For more info navigate your browsing application to www.jeffclaassen.com.

Stenzskull Solo Exhibition

"Cut & Paste"
A selection of paintings by Stenzskull
Presented by the Jeff Claassen Gallery,
San Luis Obispo CA

September 5 - October 4, 2008

The Claassen Gallery is pleased to present "Cut & Paste", an
exhibition of original stencil work by up-and-coming artist,
Stenzskull. This presentation of hand-cut stencil portraits on canvas
and wood is representative of an emerging underground art scene in
San Luis Obispo. The focus of this selection is the artist's
inspiration, an idea which is explored in its many permutations. The
images are as often iconic and poignant as they are satirical and
opinionated. Subjects are both revered and subverted; exposed and
obscured. Citing the the influence of Shepard Fairey and Banksy,
among others, and the infallible connection between himself and his
work, the artist states, "My art is everything that inspires me,
displayed on canvas. I do it for the love."

Stencils have been employed by artisans for more than 12,000 years;
From cave art depicting the hand prints of prehistoric man, Egyptian
tomb decor, Japanese silks of the Edo period, and ancient publishing
techniques, to Art Nouveau pochoirs, political propaganda of the
1940's, and Pop Art forerunners... Popularized more recently among
street artists as a method of creating pieces in less time, thereby
reducing the risks involved- stencil cutting has developed into a
popular contemporary artistic medium. The skill and execution
of a hand-cut stencil has become an art form in and of itself;
requiring patience, a steady hand, and an absolute mastery of the
concept of negative space. Unpretentious by nature, the impact of
stencils is no less influential in the message and meaning the work
conveys; and as Stenzskull confers, "Art is a great way to express
your opinions- they may agree or not, but the reaction is what
counts."

"Cut & Paste" will be Stenzskull's debut solo-exhibition.
Opening reception will be held on September 5th at 6PM
in the Claassen Gallery at 1118 Morro St. SLO, CA.
Show runs through October 4, 2008.

For further information about this exhibition, please contact
The Claassen Gallery at: 805.391.0361.

Urban Escapades Update #3

Here are two more artists from the "Urban Escapades" show.



STENZSKULL




David Bond



*sidenote - I accidently ate onions (yes, accidently) and now I stink. The thing is, the "secret sauce" on the hamburger was so tasty that I didn't realize I was eating onions until the very last bite.