Brought together by their shared love of skateboarding and art, multiple artists from the collective “Us Angeles” are showcasing their unique and diverse styles at the latest exhibit hosted by Loiter Galleries in the heart of Downtown Long Beach.
The gallery walls display an eclectic array of artwork, featuring paintings of skulls and snakes adorning skateboard decks, eyeballs on canvases, and vibrant, multi-colored abstract creations on fabric. Each piece bears the distinctive style of one of the six artists who took part in the “Long Beach Calling” exhibit.
Six members of the collective are participating in their new show at Loiter Galleries: brothers Steve and Marco Saiz, Andy Jenkins, Gino Perez, “The Art of Chase,” and Kris Klara.
The members of Us Angeles were brought together by their mutual love of art, design and skateboarding, said curator Steve Saiz. The group debuted their first exhibit last year at the former Beastie Boys studio in Glendale, and have continued working together on their shared passions since then.
“[Skateboarding] is just something we all did and it’s very self expressive. You really have to concentrate on what you’re trying to learn, and then you start developing these other facets of your creativity I think, and it helps,” Steve Saiz said. “And I love that that’s where we came from.”
Curated by Steve Saiz, a professional skateboarder with deep roots in Long Beach, the exhibit titled “Long Beach Calling” promises to be a vibrant celebration of both skateboarding and artistic expression. Saiz’s extensive background in the sport includes being a member of the Bones Brigade, where he skated alongside Tony Hawk and other famous skateboarders.
Steve Saiz and the other members of Us Angeles are multi-talented creatives—with Steve himself finding success off the ramp. He’s contributed his artistic talents to television, advertisements, branding, fashion and P!nk’s 2010 music video for the song “F**kin’ Perfect.”
Steve’s brother, Marco Saiz, followed a similar path, becoming a talented amateur skateboarder for Vision Skateboards in the ‘80s before going on to pursue his art career in the mid-to-late nineties. In 2003, Marco began painting circular labyrinth patterns, which can be seen in his new 4 feet by 4 feet works included in “Long Beach Calling.”
Us Angeles member Andy Jenkins has had an ongoing artistic relationship with skateboarding, co-founding Homeboy Magazine, a lifestyle publication that focused on skateboarding, music, fashion and more, and creating art for the skate brand Vans.
Gino Perez, the son of two painters, started skateboarding professionally at the age of 11, and began seriously pursuing art when he was around 19. Now 46, Perez said his original paintings created for the show explore what it’s like growing up as a skateboarder, family dynamics, and living in poverty in Los Angeles.
Perez said he wanted viewers who see his work to get a sense of encouragement, inspiration and hope, especially when coming from nothing
“My work is very colorful, but my subjects are very dark. It’s very real,” Perez said.
Perez was introduced to Steve Saiz through the skateboarder and artist known as The Art of Chase, who has worked with brands including Vans and Flip Skateboards. According to his website, The Art of Chase began doing street art in the ‘90s, after moving to Los Angeles from Belgium, and is easily recognized by his signature paintings of trippy eyeballs.
“Long Beach Calling” will be on display until Saturday, Aug. 5 at Loiter Galleries (9425 Promenade N). Loiter Galleries is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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