Individual Sole

Doze Green merges influences from his East Coast graffiti and b-boy background with a painting style he refined on the West Coast. The resulting artwork is complex and intensely symbolic, serving as a means of both social commentary and self-awareness. His interest in the duality of the human condition is reflected throughout his pieces. Doze Green’s work has been displayed in cities across Europe, Japan, Australia, and the United States.

via UpperPlayground’s WalrusTV

Veteran graffiti writer Quik’s work has been integral to New York graff culture. Throughout the 1970’s and 80’s, his vibrant, bubble letter pieces covered NYC trains and subways. As one of the era’s influential writers, his tags appeared alongside the work of artists such as Zephyr, Futura 2000, and Revolt. Quik’s paintings have since been displayed in galleries and museums in New York, Amsterdam, and throughout Europe. Watch Ricky Powell have a conversation with Quik and Seen from “Dithers,” available for the first time to the public for free, on Walrus TV.

Upper Playground is proud to announce several collaborative projects, releasing this week, with Mister Cartoon. Inspired by the city of Los Angeles, New York graffiti, and low rider car culture, legendary West Coast artist Mister Cartoon has gained grand scale notoriety through tattooing several hip hop artists and celebrities.  Mister Cartoon’s work has also appeared in a number of magazines, album designs, clothing lines and product collaborations.

Mister Cartoon created a signature can for Montana Colors and Upper Playground’s limited edition artist cans.  The first in a series of four, the Mister Cartoon MTN x UP can depicts a stylized vision of LA, complete with downtown storefronts and the Virgen de Guadalupe.  Angelo Lospinuso from Montana Colors exclaims, What I can say about this man? He’s a living legend, from LA to the rest of the world; actually I think he is one of the greatest ambassadors of the West Coast life style worldwide. Words are not enough to express the respect we have for Mister Cartoon!

In addition to the Montana collaboration, Mister Cartoon has designed his first t-shirt graphic for Upper Playground with an image that combines his classic iconography with impeccable lettering.

In conjunction with these releases, Mister Cartoon will be in San Francisco for an in-store signing. The signing will take place this Friday, August 28th, from 5 to 7 PM, at the San Francisco store located at 220 Fillmore Street. Finally, be sure to watch the Mr. Cartoon interview from “The Run Up,” available for the first time to the public for free, on Walrus TV.

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Tiffany Bozic views her artwork as a means of communication, a way to work through questions, present commentary, and offer her experiences to others. Heavily inspired by nature and science and laden with Art Nouveau elegance, her works are built of what she refers to as “complex simplicity.” A distinct balance, intricacy, and acute interest in symmetry run through her pieces. Tiffany Bozic’s work has been displayed in exhibitions throughout the United States and Europe. Watch the interview from “Dithers,” available for the first time to the public for free, on  Upper Playground’s Walrus TV.

Sam Flores is known for his instantly recognizable characters and he continues to carve out his place in contemporary art.  In this week’s edition of Walrus TV, the Sam Flores’ interview from Dithers is available to the public for the first time for free.  Listen in as Sam recounts how he got his start when he first came to San Francisco - all while he paints in his studio.  Flores also discusses his typical day, inspiration and what his ideal painting conditions are.

In conjunction with his latest show, Ego, Addition and Other Bedtime Stories at Subliminal Projects, Sam Flores releases Dragon Tree - a print that depicts the classic struggle between light and dark.  According to Sam, this girl is trying to hide the last beautiful thing left in her world. But if you look closely at the art, you will see that something sinister has just found her.  The print is 12 colors, screenprinted, on 100lb cover stock and measures 18 inches tall x 18 inches wide. There is a limited run of 50, and all prints are signed and numbered.  The print is available for sale at the Upper Playground Web Store.

Video Part 1 of 3 – Learning Spray Paint:

The Walrus TV interviews are a taste of what’s to come in the upcoming viewing of Upper Playground Presents - Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe.  In this award winning film, Choe’s hard work and radical antics have been recorded by Harry Kim, who follows David Choe’s trail, documenting eight years of mayhem and artistic awesomeness. The film helps to express Choe’s unwillingness to grow up, his struggle to make it as an artist and his fight to hold on to his sanity for his life and burgeoning art career.  The film is part of the San Francisco Asian American Film Festival and Bay Area residents can enter to win two sets of tickets to the film from Upper  Playground.

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