“Mutation: A Vinyl Show” is an exhibition at the Black Maria Art Gallery running from August 15 – September 5. The opening reception begins tomorrow evening with  selections from artists in the art toy scene. These designer vinyl toys feature original designs and are marketed to collectors. If you’re unfamiliar with urban vinyl toys, the process involves artists taking toys and transforming them through creative vision, allowing the pieces to mutate in a fresh art form. Urban vinyl toys have become popular in the art scene over the past few years.

Participating artists in the “Mutation” exibition include: 64 Colors, Brent Nolasco, Bryan Collins, Button Eyes, Camden Noir, Draifet, Jeremiah Ketner, Kalypzo, Kat Brunnegraff, Kendra Binney, Kill Taupe, Motorbot, Mark Basa, Nathan Hamill, Okedoki, Podgy Panda, Reactor 88, Shaun Wightman, TyleR, Zombie Monkie, and Rosie O’Donnell.

Actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell is a big fan the Munny and has been selling customs on Etsy. She will be showcasing several custom Munnys, and the proceeds will be going to her charity, Rosie’s Broadway Kids. This charity is an arts education organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children through the arts. The organization offers classes in dance and music, and it give kids the opportunity to experience professional theater. Its goal is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, uplift the human spirit, and to instill a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

 Black Maria Gallery (located at 3137 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles) is dedicated to non-mainstream art. The gallery “focuses on works that reverberate with the shock of the new—not in a gratuitous sense, but in a way that initiates wonderment and self-reflection. The people behind Black Maria Gallery believe that thought-provoking art, whether it’s termed low-brow, avant garde, underground or subversive, has a hugely important place in civic and social discourse, especially in these times. Black Maria strives to become an organic bridge between local artists and the public, by presenting art that’s approachable and affordable in equal measure. The goal is to reach out to local artists and to help make gallery-going a revelatory and rewarding experience” (Mission Statement from Black Maria Gallery).

 Photo of Kat Brunnegraff’s piece “Ursa Major Night Walker” courtesy of Black Maria Art Gallery.

No related posts.