Pepperonccini, Choo, & Give Me~! TOMOTAKA: Turn It Up! To 100° C
3045 W 8th St Los Angeles, CA 90005
Friday, October 11 at 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
Ends Oct 27, 2024
&& Gallery proudly presents, “Turn It Up! To 100° C,” a joint exhibition featuring the works of Pepperonccini, Choo, & for the first time in the USA, Give Me~! TOMOTAKA. We are thrilled to showcase a selection of each artist’s work, all presented as striking poster-sized Risograph prints. The rich textures & vibrant colors of Risography bringing a bold new dimension to each artist’s unique style & palette. “Turn It Up! To 100° C” celebrates the distinctive themes & aesthetics of these artists. The fiery tones, the underlying temperaments, & the slightly sinister right below the surface, resonate like the first bubbles rising as water approaches a boil. -About Pepperonccini- Pepperonccini is an Arizona-based artist originally from Mexico, holding a BFA in Illustration. Her work is vibrant. celebrating the spooky & colorful, intersecting fashion & music, proudly representing the LGBTQA+ community. Drawing inspiration from BL, B-horror films, & role-playing games, Pepper creates illustrations & merchandise that resonate with fans who often feel overlooked in subcultures & fandoms. In her freelance career, she has collaborated with both international brands & independent artists alike, showcasing her diverse talents & deep commitment to community engagement. Pepper's creations sit at the cutting edge of contemporary culture while possessing a timeless appeal, making her work both hyper-relevant & enduring. -About Choo- Choo is a Melbourne-based artist specializing in digital illustration. Choo has crafted a distinctive visual language influenced by the aesthetics of 80s horror & the visceral imagery of guro manga, fusing the macabre with the whimsical. Their art is marked by an embrace of kitsch & clutter, where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, mundane objects are elevated to the realm of the uncanny & the normal becomes paranormal. The devil is very much in the details as Choo crafts immersive environments rich with intricate elements waiting to be discovered. Food, a recurring motif, serves as both a comfort a source of disquiet, blending the familiar with the unsettling. These juxtapositions encourage a deeper reflection on our relationships with consumption, desire, & the grotesque. Bold, harsh black contrasts punctuate their compositions, creating striking tension that heightens the emotional impact of each piece. Themes of (not-so)subtle violence thread through their work, manifesting in unexpected ways that challenge viewers to confront the darker aspects of everyday life. Queer themes often resonate throughout their portfolio, intertwining broader cultural critiques that fosters a dialogue that celebrates diversity while challenging societal norms. Choo's vibrant, detail-rich illustrations evoke a sense of nostalgia while pushing the boundaries of comfort. Captivating compositions that spark conversations about identity, culture, & the complexities of the human experience. -About GIVE ME~! Tomotaka- GIVE ME~! Tomotaka is a Japanese artist based in Tokyo. She has a degree in Graphic Design from Tama Art University. Skilled in both analog & digital media, she specializes in illustration, animation, & character design. Her work is defined by dynamic, maximalist compositions & extreme color palettes, immersing viewers in her visually arresting worlds. Tomotaka's creations are inhabited by mischievous, cherubic characters—often spirits or demons navigating gritty, urban landscapes. This unique lens brings a playful yet subversive energy to her work, inviting a deeper reflection on the nature of her subjects. A hallmark of her art is the striking juxtaposition of traditional Eastern spiritual iconography with contemporary elements like streetwear, weaponry, & drug paraphernalia. This fusion weaves a rich visual narrative that sparks a dialogue between cultural heritage & modernity. Through her intricate & thought-provoking imagery, GIVE ME~! Tomotaka invites viewers to delve into the complexities of identity and spirituality, all while navigating the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary life. Each piece tells a story, blending whimsy with depth, & leaving a lasting impression on those who encounter her work.