HVW8 Gallery is pleased to present Mark Gonzales in Paris, a new solo exhibition by Mark Gonzales. Marking the artist’s first solo exhibition in Paris, this is a homecoming of sorts for the artist and skateboarder who resided in the city in 2010. Gonzales’ new exhibition arrives just before an Olympic Games that will feature street skating (which he famously pioneered) and puts on display a new body of work made exclusively for this Paris pop-up. New paintings feature Gonzales’ signature ‘schmoo’ characters among a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. The exhibition also features a fresh array of original drawings with a variety of new characters in various moods and scenes.
Mark Gonzales is an American artist and professional skateboarder best known for his profound contribution to the development of street skateboarding from the mid-1980s onward. Gonzales’ creative outlook is evident in his ability to perform inventive new tricks using the existing framework of urban architecture like handrails, stairs, and ledges. His artwork grew out of the same environment as his skateboarding and includes illustrating zines, which often have surreal and humorous characters, as well as producing and collaborating on projects with Harmony Korine and Spike Jonze. Born on June 1, 1968 in South Gate, CA, he began skateboarding by the age of 13 and formed the company Blind Skateboards in 1989. While pursuing his sporting career, the artist began drawing in his free time and created graphics for Krooked Skateboards. Since then, he has collaborated with the clothing brand Supreme and Adidas to name just a few.
His work was recently displayed at the Brooklyn Museum where 40 of his zines are featured in the show “Copy Machine Manifestos: Artists Who Make Zines” as well as ‘Coltureal Affairs’ at Franklin Parrasch Gallery curated by artist Rita Ackermann. He also recently closed a sold out exhibition at Rise Above Gallery in Osaka, Japan and at HVW8 Gallery Los Angeles. He lives and works in New York.
Mark Gonzales in Paris opens from 6-10pm on June 27th, 2024 and will remain on view through Saturday, July 6th, 2024. L’artiste sera présent pour l’ouverture et la dédicace des exemplaires de son livre éponyme Rizzoli le 28 juin.
