PRESS RELEASE Torrance Art Museum Presents Three Major Exhibitions to Kick Off 2025 Venue: Torrance Art Museum Location: 3320 Civic Center Dr, Torrance, CA 90503 Dates: January 18th through March 1st, 2025 Opening Reception: Saturday, January 18th, 6-9pm Torrance Art Museum (TAM) is excited to announce three exhibitions to kick off 2025: OUTSIDE IN: The Billy Shire Archive, an in-depth look at the rise of ‘low-brow’ and pop-surrealist art; Burner: Exhibition of International Street Art, featuring works by influential street artists such as Banksy, KAWS, Shepard Fairey, and others; and The Anthropocene Foundry LA 2025: Finiteness/Infinity, a global, multi-artist video project exploring the impact of human activity on the environment. ________________________________________ OUTSIDE IN: The Billy Shire Archive This exhibition explores the rise of ‘low-brow’ and pop-surrealist art, originating in the vibrant counter-culture scenes of Los Angeles in the late 1960s. Influenced by underground comix, tiki, surf culture, hot-rods, and rock music, this genre evolved into a distinctive movement combining aspects of outsider art, cartoons, religious iconography, and more. The exhibition honors the legacy of Billy Shire, a key figure in the movement who established the La Luz de Jesus Gallery in 1986 and supported the artists who shaped this genre. The works on display trace how lowbrow art, once on the fringe, has moved into the mainstream and has influenced contemporary culture globally. Artists Featured: Aaron Marshall, Alex De Leon, Ana Bagayan, Carrie Ann Baade, Chris Mars, Christopher Bales, Clayton Brothers, Clive Barker, COOP, Daniel Martin Diaz, Daniel Peacock, Dave Cooper, Deadra Sullivan Beeman, Dennis Larkman, Dianne Bennett, Don Fritz, Eric White, Frank Kozik, Gaile Potacki, GeorgeAnne Dean, Glenn Barr, Henry Shire, Hudson Marquez, Jim Heimann, Joe Coleman, Joe Sorren, Jon Langford, Judith Schaechter, Liz McGrath, Lou Beech, Manuel O’Campo, Maryrose Crook, Merrion Peck, Michael Hussar, Miriam Wosk, Neon Park, Norbert H. Kox, Octavio Ocampo, Owen Smith, Pizz, Pol Turgeon, R. K. Sloane, Rob Clayton, Robert Williams, S. Clay Wilson, Scott Hove, Scott Musgrove, Tony Fitzpatrick, and Win Wallace. ________________________________________ Burner: Exhibition of International Street Art Making its North American debut at TAM, Burner showcases an impressive collection of street and graffiti art. The term “burner” refers to a piece that stands out for its complexity and aesthetic boldness, often created with advanced techniques and style. This exhibition emphasizes the skill and vision behind these works, which are not merely painted or sculpted but are carefully crafted to “burn off the wall” and make a lasting impact. One of the featured works is Waiting in Vain by Banksy, created in New York City and presented in its original form. Artists Featured: Banksy, Bambi, Blek le Rat, Mr. Brainwash, Buff Monster, Chroma, Cee Pil, The Connor Brothers, Craig Knight, Dalek, Mr. Doodle, Epsylon Point, Futura 2000, Henri Lamy, Invader, KEF!, KAWS, Lister, Magnus Gjoen, Mark Ryden, Pure Evil, Richard Orlinski, Shane Goudreau, Shepard Fairey, Speedy Graphito, and Miss Tic. In collaboration with Fitz Contemporary. ________________________________________ The Anthropocene Foundry LA 2025: Finiteness/Infinity This international, multi-artist video project examines the impact of human activity on the environment through animation, video art, and sound art. Curated by Wilfried Agricola de Cologne, The Anthropocene Foundry features works from The Anthropocene Project, showcasing around 500 international artists who use self-created footage and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to offer new realities that reflect the finiteness of life and the infinity of creation. The program includes animate’C24, a retrospective of the Cologne Art & Animation Festival (2010-2025), and The 4 Ecologists, featuring animations by Silvia de Gennaro, Maria Korporal, Susanne Wiegner, and Brit Bunkley. In week 2, the exhibition will also feature Code of Violence, a program curated by Gioula Papadopoulou, with video works by students from the School of Art/New Media LAB at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The exhibition marks the 25th anniversary of the New Museum of Networked Art, founded in 2000, and celebrates the beginning of a new era with the establishment of The Agricola de Cologne Foundation for the Arts, which will operate the museum from 2025 onward. The Anthropocene Foundry began its global tour in 2024, with previous stops in Quito, Kolkata, and Addis Ababa, emphasizing the worldwide significance of the Anthropocene era. ________________________________________ Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, January 18th, from 6-9pm. For more information about the exhibitions, artists, and programs, visit the Torrance Art Museum website.