Exhibition: Urban Decay II, June 2-26

The Workhouse Arts Center presents the exhibition, Urban Decay II from June 2-26 in Gallery W-16, Second Floor. Urban Decay II sponsors include (click on the company name to learn more about our sponsors): Spaghetti Project, Macpherson's and Montana, Complete Construction Management, Spitfire Marketing and Creative, Inc., Burke and Herbert Bank and Desensitized Design and Apparel.*

Artists featured in Urban Decay II include: Josh Taylor, Emily Greene Liddle, Shawn Beeks, Gregg Deal, RSIN, Kevin Murphy, Sergio Mancini, Steve Strawn, Mary Spring, Matt Anderson, Jeremy Gann, Gabe Pons, James Walker, Drew Storm Graham, Alexander Aviles (ElStabo), Graham Franciose, Kenny Brown, Jorge Guillen, Herberth Romero, Derek Yarrington, Rejuvenile and Kirsten Schneider.

What is Urban Decay II?

Urban Decay II is an exhibition that will feature contemporary artists showcasing work in the form of skate decks, custom vinyl toys, sculpture, fine portraiture, film and beyond.

Several artists will be performing live demonstrations at the opening reception on Saturday, June 4, 2011, including a live demonstration throughout the day on the Quad, which will be raffled off at the end of the reception.

Urban Decay II focuses on the aesthetic of urban low-brow art; an underground visual art movement that arose in the Los Angeles, California area in the late 1970's. Lowbrow is a widespread populist art movement with origins in the underground comic world, punk music, hot-rod street culture, graffiti and other subcultures.

This type of art is also referred to as subculture art, pop-surrealism and often has an impish, sarcastic, and gleeful sense of humor attached to it.

Click HERE to view JUXTSAPOSING, a blog by Deb Yarrington that will highlight all happenings for Urban Decay II!

So what is a Vinyl Art Toy?

Vinyl Art Toys, or "Designer Toys," are terms used to describe toys and other collectibles that are produced in limited editions, (as few as 10 or as many as 2,000 pieces) and created by artists and designers. They are made of a variety of materials; ABS plastic and vinyl are most common, although wood, metal, and resin are occasionally used.

Designer Toys appeared in the 1990's by artist Michael Lau, who first created urban vinyl figures in Hong Kong, and are still in production today.

The Workhouse invites all artists to submit a customized vinyl art toy for the Urban Decay II exhibition. Check out the Spotlight column on the Workhouse homepage to view and download the entry form. Please bring your creation and $20 entry fee (per entry!) to Gallery 16, 1st Floor on May 27 or 28 from 12-5pm. Enter as many times as you want!

*Please contact Deb Yarrington at 703-584-2909 or debrayarrington@lortonarts.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities for Urban Decay II.

Date(s): 6/2/2011 to 6/26/2011

Venue: Gallery Building 2nd Floor

Ticket Required: No

Photo Gallery

"Jack Black" by Derek Yarrington	Untitled by RSIN	Untitled by Matt Anderson
"Delubricate" by Steve Strawn	"Grumpy Bear Bust" by Shawn Beeks	"Web Collector" by Graham Franciose