Curators Juno Youn and Spencer Walker are determined to shake up the city's art scene with their daring and provocative curation.
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ARTIgee OkaforIntimate Exchanges Marks the Opening of Mon Dieu Projects in Los Angeles, Transitional Device, Andrew Morrow 2009., Words By Igee OkafoR ARTWORK by ANDREW MORROW, SHEN WEI, AND SEAN MUNDY, Curators Juno Youn, and Spencer Walker are determined to shake up Los Angeles' art scene with their daring and provocative curation, inspired by the French exclamation "Mon Dieu!" (My God!) The name also pays homage to Galerie Youn's Montreal roots and its roster of exceptional artists, who are excited to make their West Coast debut on April, 1, 2023., The inaugural show, "Intimate Exchanges, " is a stunning collection of figurative art worldwide. This selection includes some of the most established names in the industry, such as Nadine Faraj, Michael Scoggins, Shen Wei, and Hugo Alonso, alongside rising stars like Bernice Lum, Ian Stone, Andrew Morrow, and Sean Mundy. "Intimate Exchanges" is a powerful exploration of sexuality, vulnerability, and humor, represented through various paintings, watercolors, mixed media photography, and sculptures. This is a show that is fearless in pushing boundaries and exploring new territories., Although Shen Wei is unfamiliar with the art scene in Los Angeles, he is excited about becoming more engaged in the Los Angeles art community. Art is a language that transcends borders and cultures, and sharing his work with a new audience will undoubtedly be a fulfilling experience. The Los Angeles art scene has its distinct character, and he is eager to explore and learn from it. When considering the curation at Mon Dieu Projects, Shen Wei has a strong appreciation for the paintings of Hugo Alonso. He is particularly drawn to his work's poetic and enigmatic quality and subtle beauty. This appreciation for other artists' work is a testimony to his humility and an essential quality for anyone seeking to grow and develop their craft., Sitting by the Window, 2020., Sean Mundy, Barriers II, 2018., From an early age, Sean experimented with various creative mediums, but photography and digital art captured his heart in the late 2000s. It wasn't a single moment of epiphany that led him to this realization; instead, it was a gradual process of following his intuition and staying true to his artistic vision., Over the years, Sean's style has evolved and taken shape, reflecting his unique perspective and artistic sensibilities. Minimal, dramatic, surreal, and conceptual are just a few words that capture the essence of his photography and digital art. But getting to this point was challenging - it took a lot of experimentation, failure, and self-reflection., Sean is honored to participate in the Mon Dieu exhibition in LA. What he does appreciate about the show is the varied and intriguing curation choices, highlighting the diverse talents of the artists involved., As he peruses the exhibition, Sean comes across many inspiring pieces. Hugo Alonso's art is one of them. He loves the ethereal quality of Alonso's paintings and how much he can achieve with just black and white. Something about the juxtaposition of light and shadow speaks to Sean fundamentally, capturing what it means to be human., Centrist Duo, 2017, For Andrew Morrow, falling behind on his second-year biochem courses in his 20s was a blessing in disguise. During this time, he discovered his love for art and realized that it had been there all along. Since then, Andrew has created several bodies of work that stand out. His most recognizable work is large-scale, densely painted, figurative, and indeterminate oil paintings. One of the things he loves about painting is the slow journey it takes him on. It's only possible to get anywhere by showing up to the studio, putting the paint down, and figuring out what's happening and what comes next. Andrew has also witnessed the art scene in different cities and is excited about the opportunity to bring Canadian voices to a new market. He may need to get to L.A. more to speak with any authority about the art scene, but he knows that there's no shortage of great spaces with strong artists being shown in the city. Andrew is excited about this new chapter and hopes to see what happens when Canadian art is put in dialogue with L.A. When asked about his all-time favorite artist, Andrew admits that it's always the most challenging question. He's in excellent company with the show he works on, and there's no way to choose. However, he admits that discovering Nadine Faraj's work has been a revelation for him. Her paintings have a unique wateriness, humor, and freedom that he finds refreshing.