Interview with DULK for ‘Heritage’ | Exhibition June 3 – June 24, 2023 

Thinkspace is excited to present DULKHeritage‘ where he brings his worlds of stylized animalia and character creatures. Striking an unlikely balance between the playful ease of children’s make-believe and the prescient threat of ecological doomsday, Dulk’s works celebrate the beauty of nature’s biodiversity while simultaneously mourning the imminence of its loss. Much in the same way that fantasy actively invites collusion with nightmare, Dulk’s extravagantly lush imagination, for all of its seductive warmth, is punctuated by premonitory distress, and poignantly aberrant, if not predictive, details. 

Our interview with Dulk (aka Antonio Segura) reveals places he’s explored to find his inspirations for his latest collection, about his safari trips, how he makes a great paella and so much more!

What was your inspiration and process for developing the works within this exhibition? Did all the ideas evolve over the last year, or did you peak into past archives and explore previous sparks of inspiration?

In 2017 I traveled to Denver for a mural project and after that me and my wife decided to spend some days to discover the natural spaces close to the city. A friend of us brought us to the Rocky Mountains and I felt so impressed about the amount of wildlife and incredible landscapes that we discovered there. It was truly amazing. Since then, every time that we came back to the US we took some days to scape from the city and visit the natural spaces that we could find around. It’s incredible the diversity of ecosystems that you can find in North America. It’s probably one the most diverse continents on earth. And it’s the only place where you can find every landscape from polar ice cap to baking desert, and everything in between. To prepare this exhibition I spent the last 5 years visiting and photographing most of the places you can find in the artworks. I visited the natural paradise of Alaska, the mangroves of the Everglades in Florida, the magical sequoias forests in California, the astonishing and unique Yellowstone or the breathtaking volcanoes in Hawai’i among many others. In each place I felt something very special and it’s why I decided to produce a body of works to collect all these journeys and experiences as memories.

We know every piece brings forth its own challenges and tests. Did you ever have to start over and completely pivot with a piece in this exhibition? Do you embrace or resist those types of choices?

Not in this show, but I did it many times. For me being satisfied with the result is essential and if something is failed between it I would never hesitate in restart the concept or whatever. I know myself and I know that every time that I look the artwork I would think, why I didn’t changed it? For this exhibition I spent a lot of time in conceptualizing each artwork, this is my favorite part of the process in a project like this one. It has been the longest process I did ever for an exhibition and I’m quite happy with the result. Each time I’m investing more time in the sketching and concept development so when I take the brushes the main idea is already solid. Some small details can change during the progress but not so much.

Who are some our your favorite nature photographers? Have you learned techniques from them that have influenced your own nature photography?

I’m amateur in wildlife photography but it’s a long time since I’m following the work of incredible photographers as Joel Sartore, Shaaz Jung or Paul Nicklen to inspire my work. It was during my first Safari in Kenya when I discover that this discipline could be the perfect starting point of my creative process. Not only to get a good image with my camera, also living the sensation of being in the place surrounded by the inhabitants of it. Nature has a special power and feeling it in first person is just incredible. For me the most special point about this is living the moment and remind it forever. I really enjoy being in the place in the perfect moment, but at the same time is very difficult to complete with a nice picture. To get one OK I normally shoot dozens of them, but when you get the perfect light with the perfect composition that’s magical.

What helps to ground you in the inherently chaotic and unpredictable profession of a full-time artist?

Creative process is something that I always needed. At the same time I always thought that I could never live from my art so that’s the reason that I pushed myself so hard working day at night to get something with this. At 18 I started my university career in economics and I left it two years later to start with the fine arts. I consider myself very young and I try to not thinking in the future so much and work hard day by day. Art scene is very unpredictable and I prefer to work hard and motivate my mind traveling and discovering the nature worldwide to keep harvesting my labor. If I look back I see a strong evolution in my work and that’s what motivate me to keep working hard. Nowadays for me being an artist is my life, it’s not just a work, it’s a way of life.

You’ve shared before that you do not mean to be an activist with your work but merely provide a catalyst for reflection. However, the state of our planet’s ecosystem is definitely a concern and value of yours. Are there activists or organizations you admire and believe more people should be aware of the work they are doing?

Cold reasoning does not change people. Emotion is necessary, as Jacques Cousteau said, “Man only cares for what he loves, and only loves what he knows.”
That is why I am convinced that my images can help. Shocking, exciting, moving. And with this helping many people, especially the youngest, to fall in love with nature and therefore decide to protect it throughout their lives. I have worked and shown my work in many corners of the planet. In presentations, workshops, murals in many countries. I have seen and heard comments of love, emotion, even tears. It is then when I consider that I have contributed something to the message of change. With art we extol an element, we can do it with the nature.
I consider myself as an artivist. We can educate people and organizations through artistic expression, to convey the importance and urgency of conserving and promoting the wealth of natural heritage.
I collaborated with some organizations like Olpejeta Conservancy in Kenya, Pangeaseed foundation or WWF Spain and I’m totally open to do it more often as an important goal as an objective.

How has fatherhood influenced your art and practice? What element of fatherhood is most rewarding at the moment and most challenging?

Being a father made me view life with another eyes. It has awakened something in me that I did not know and I could never expect in any way. Since then every day has a moment of joy saved for you and that’s magical.
Luckily me and my wife, Sara, are a strong team, personal and professional. She is my manager, so we travel together most of the time. It makes everything easier in terms of organization. We travel a lot and since we are parents it is a bit different because we no longer go alone, sometimes it is complicated but all the times it is a joy to be all together. A young kid demands a lot and it is difficult to balance it with an artist’s life but I think we do our best with him. Sara is the best and she manages the home and the studio as no one could do it. She deserves the best from us. I try to do the best I can do and it’s not easy but seeing how a two and a half years old kid has visited places all over the world makes me look at him and feel proud to be able to offer that to my son. I think traveling is very important to open minds and learn about different cultures and places. Looking at him amazed observing the whales of Alaska, the dolphins in French Polynesia or the sequoias in California makes me shed a tear.

You have ventured into collaborations with clothing brands and jewelry, along with regularly producing amazing sculptures and traveling for mural opportunities. Do you have support for these business ventures, or do you manage both these efforts along with your painting independently? And advice for other artists looking to expand their revenue streams?

We are a team of 5 people in the studio right now. It truly helps to get new goals and expand my work to new places that I could never get working alone. It let me focus myself in the creative process and in the painting development. Collaborations with brands that have on mind the same goals as ours and spread your message make me comfortable of working together. I enjoying viewing my work growing to new directions without losing the essence of itself.

If you could bring any extinct animal back, which one would it be and why?

I don’t have any preference on that. I would prefer choose the option of not losing more. It’s going so fast and it’s real. Day by day we are losing species worldwide and people doesn’t pay the necessary attention. Art is an invaluable tool for create awareness in people about the risks and dangers of climate change, as well as inspiring a commitment to address it. The works can help people to understand the importance of acting to prevent climate change and promote sustainability.

What is one of your most memorable meals? It could be because of the food you ate or the company you dined with, but a meal that has stood the test of time.

If I have to choose one I choose the Paella, we love cooking at home but my work each weekend is cooking it for the family or friends. The Valencian paella is the most famous Spanish dish worldwide and I learnt it from my grandma. I’m cooking it for my friends since I was 15 years old and I never stoped. For Valencians cooking the paella it’s like a religion and I’m not a believer but I think I do it quite well haha.

How do you like to enjoy your time outside of the studio? Do you celebrate the completion of a body of work?

Normally if I’m in town a normal day would be being in the studio around 7 hours, I’m an early bird and I’m much more productive the first hours of the day. The rest of the day is being with my family and do some trail in the mountains. We got a nice house close to there and doing sport makes me release my mind after a hard working day. I enjoy being involved around nature, running or wildlife photography would be my favorite activities out of the studio and of course traveling with my family.

When I finish a body of work is something unique. The feeling of finally see in front of you the idea and concept that you had in mind 8 months ago done is amazing. This time we celebrated with the studio team at home having a lunch party and relaxing a bit after a several months of hard work.

Exhibition on view June 3 – June 24, 2023 at:
Thinkspace Projects
4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016

‘The 9th Annual Exploring The New Contemporary Movement’ Group Exhibition this May in Honolulu for this year’s Hawai’i Walls mural festival

‘The 9th Annual Exploring The New Contemporary Movement’
May 10 – May 13, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawai’i

Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 10 from 6-10pm

Open Thursday through Saturday from 1-6pm daily

Palama Settlement
810 N. Vinyard Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96817

We’ll be donating 10% of all proceeds to various cancer charities to help fund the research for a cure for this horrible disease.

Featuring new work from:
123Klan
Ador
Antonio Ainscough
Alex Face
Langston Allston
Jordi Alos
Balloonski
Blic
Philip Bosmans
Brek
Ezra Brown
Cryptik
Rene Cuvos
Preston Daniels
Aaron De La Cruz
Dredske
Leo Eguiarte
Sofia Enriquez
Kamele Eskaran
Jordan Ferguson
Ken Flewellyn
Liz Flores
Kolten French
Thao Huynh French
Gian Galang
GATS PTV
Giorgiko
GoopMassta
Kris Goto
Kamea Hadar
Ha Haengeun
Daniela Garcia Hamilton
Hendra “HeHe” Harsono
Anjastama Hp
Lucinda Hinojos(aka La Morena)
Humbly
Andrea James
Haylie Jimenez
Sydnie Jimenez
Oscar Joyo
Kapitan
David Kaye
Jason Keam
Jana Lam
Huntz Liu
Dan Lydersen
Al Marcano
Marie Claude Marquis
Danny Martinez (aka Van Dam One)
Steve Martinez
Jay McKay
b. Robert Moore
Kristy Moreno
Jesse Morsberger
Mr. B Baby
Baby Mueller
Iker Muro
Janina Myronova
Bell Nakai
Guillaume Ollivier
JT Ojerio
Chaz Outing
Perez Bros
Gustavo Rimada
Roja
Mia Scarpa
Boz Schurr
Byun Sehee
Jeremy Shockley
Jack Shure
Alex Solis
Stom500
Floyd Strickland
Yuta Tamura
Madeleine Tonzi
TRAV MSK
Melly Trochez
Shar Tuiasoa
Daisy Velasco
Casey Weldon
Woes
Manuel Zamudio
Zeye Oner

Video Tour & Opening Reception Party of ‘NEXUS IV: RAIZ’ Group Show, alongside solo exhibitions from Anthony Clarkson, Ken Flewellyn, Matthew Grabelsky, Anthony Hurd, and Cody Jimenez at The Brand Library & Art Center

Opening night of ‘RAIZ’ at the Brand Library & Art Center in Glendale, California this past Saturday. What a night! One for the books, to say the very least. Well over 1,500 art loving Angelinos flowed through the halls of the prestigious institution over the course of the evening.

Many, many thanks to all of the exhibiting artists, the live painters and artisan vendors, the incredible food booths, our incredible bartender team, all the staff and security at the Brand, and all of you that came out to share your love and support. It was a MAGICAL evening and we didn’t want it to end.

Exhibitions on view through March 17 at:
The Brand Library and Art Center
1601 W. Mountain Street
Glendale, California 91201

Viewing Days / Hours:
Tues. – Thurs.: 11am – 8pm
Fri. & Sat.: 10am – 5pm
Closed Sun. & Mon.
Free Admission & Free Parking

‘RAIZ’ group show featuring new work from:
Antonio J. Ainscough
Fajar Amali
Michael Bardales
Brek
Ezra Brown
Karla Ekatherine Canseco
Rene Casamalhuapa
Young-Ji Cha
Sara Chakmakian
Leo Eguiarte
Sofia Enriquez
Isaac Escoto
Ha Haeng-Eun
FEMS
Priscilla S. Flores
Genavee Gomez
Melissa Govea
Fabian Guerrero
Daniela Garcia Hamilton
Chuy Hartman
Emiliana Herniquez
Armani Howard
Carlos Jaramillo
Haylie Jimenez
Sydnie Jimenez
Kai
Jolene Lai
Andrew Lopez
Selena Lozano
Steve Martinez
Jay McKay
Gibran Mendoza
Aryana Minai
Vanessa Morata
Kristy Moreno
Mr. B Baby
Baby Mueller
Guillaume Ollivier
Chaz Outing
Jerry Peña
Perez Bros
Pinche Kid
Lily Ramirez
Marissa Reyes
Gustavo Rimada
Euan Roberts
Roja
Esperanza Rosas
Conrad Ruiz
Javier Hache Ruiz
Tamara Santibañez
Fandi Angga Saputra
Mia Scarpa
Aof Smith
Melly Trochez
Ever Velasquez
Jacqueline Valenzuela
Daisy Velasco
Manuel Zamudio
Zeye Oner

ALONGSIDE SOLO EXHIBITIONS FROM:
Anthony Clarkson ‘Enigmatic Dreams’
Ken Flewellyn ‘Remix’
Matthew Grabelsky ‘Riders’
Anthony Hurd ‘Verified’
Cody Jimenez ‘Efferverence’

SITE-SPECIFIC MURALS FROM:
Brek | Love Yo Dreams | Mr. B Baby

Live Painting:
Goopmassta
Alison Bamcat
Angel Once

OUTSIDE IN THE PARKING LOT AREA:

Car Clubs:
Cabrones Car Club | Ghetto Car Club | Bikes On The Blvd

Food:
Zavalas Pies | Sweet Life LA | Bad Jimmys

DJ action courtesy of GOLDNBROWN and a cash bar on site featuring mixed drinks and Peroni Beer

Video Projections courtesy of Digital Debris Video Gallery

Photos & Video by Birdman.

Continue reading Video Tour & Opening Reception Party of ‘NEXUS IV: RAIZ’ Group Show, alongside solo exhibitions from Anthony Clarkson, Ken Flewellyn, Matthew Grabelsky, Anthony Hurd, and Cody Jimenez at The Brand Library & Art Center

Ending SOON! Giorgiko’s ‘Dark Matter’ ends Sunday and Sentrock’s ‘The Boy Who Wanted to Fly’ comes to a close in February

Last chance to catch Giorgiko‘s ‘DARK MATTER’ exhibition at the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in Mesa, Arizona! On view through Sunday January 29, 2023.

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
One East Main Street
Mesa, Arizona 85211

Giorgiko’s ‘Dark Matter’

‘DARK MATTER’ explores the invisible forces behind the decisions we make and the narratives we create. The dark matter hypothesis proposes that 85% of all matter in the universe is unseen. Astronomers have observed that galaxies seemingly do not have enough mass to account for the gravitational forces needed to hold them together in clusters. However, there is evidence of a nearly undetectable, or “dark”, matter that generates binding forces in the universe while remaining a complete mystery.

In this body of work, Giorgiko plays with the idea that a significant percentage of our lives may be made of a different “dark matter” — one of untold stories, hidden agendas, and powerful feelings — which plays an equally significant force on our lives and our relationships with others. With so much unknown, what is perceived with the senses may only reveal a part of the story. Through this exhibition, we invite viewers to consider what we really know, what we don’t, and the mystery that holds us all together when, theoretically, we should be flying apart.

Sentrock in front of ‘I’m Still Listening’

Sentrock‘s first solo museum exhibition ‘The Boy Who Wanted To Fly‘ is closing on Sunday February 12, 2023 so while you still have a couple of weeks left please make sure to visit the Elmhurst Art Museum.

Elmhurst Art Museum
150 Cottage Hill Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126

(630) 834-0202

For this exhibition, Sentrock presents a new signature mural in the galleries as well as animated video projections, a ten-foot-tall sculpture, a life-size birdhouse installation, paintings, and works on paper that reveal narratives about the Bird City Saint character, and its origins in the artist’s biography. The exhibition, across numerous galleries, will explore the dreams of a little boy living in an urban environment, the importance of his Mexican-American community, and why the boy has a bird mask.

Thinkspace Projects x Tlaloc Studios x California Cowboys Collective present: ‘Nexus IV: RAIZ’ group exhibition at the Brand Library & Arts Center in Glendale, California

‘RAIZ’

Curated by Thinkspace Projects x Tlaloc Studios x California Cowboys Collective

Opening Reception:
Saturday, January 21 from 4-10pm

Exhibitions on view January 21 through March 17, 2023 at:
The Brand Library and Arts Center
1601 W. Mountain Street
Glendale, California 91201

‘RAIZ’ group show featuring new work from:
Antonio J. Ainscough
Fajar Amali
Michael Bardales
Brek
Ezra Brown
Karla Ekatherine Canseco
Rene Casamalhuapa
Young-Ji Cha
Sara Chakmakian
Leo Eguiarte
Sofia Enriquez
Isaac Escoto
Ha Haeng-Eun
FEMS
Priscilla S. Flores
Genavee Gomez
Melissa Govea
Fabian Guerrero
Daniela Garcia Hamilton
Chuy Hartman
Emiliana Herniquez
Armani Howard
Carlos Jaramillo
Haylie Jimenez
Sydnie Jimenez
Kai
Jolene Lai
Andrew Lopez
Selena Lozano
Steve Martinez
Jay McKay
Gibran Mendoza
Aryana Minai
Vanessa Morata
Kristy Moreno
Mr. B Baby
Baby Mueller
Guillaume Ollivier
Chaz Outing
Jerry Peña
Perez Bros
Pinche Kid
Lily Ramirez
Marissa Reyes
Gustavo Rimada
Euan Roberts
Roja
Esperanza Rosas
Conrad Ruiz
Javier Hache Ruiz
Tamara Santibañez
Fandi Angga Saputra
Mia Scarpa
Aof Smith
Melly Trochez
Ever Velasquez
Jacqueline Valenzuela
Daisy Velasco
Manuel Zamudio
Zeye Oner

ALONGSIDE SOLO EXHIBITIONS FROM:
Anthony Clarkson ‘Enigmatic Dreams’
Ken Flewellyn ‘Remix’
Matthew Grabelsky ‘Riders’
Anthony Hurd ‘Verified’
Cody Jimenez ‘Efferverence’

MURALS FROM:
Brek | Love Yo Dreams | Mr. B Baby

OUTSIDE IN THE PARKING LOT AREA:

Car Clubs:
Cabrones Car Club | Ghetto Car Club | Bikes On The Blvd

Food:
Zavalas Pies | Sweet Life LA | Bad Jimmys