Interview with Sentrock for “Crash Course” | Exhibition on view July 9, 2022 – July 30, 2022

Thinkspace was pleased to present Sentrock’s ‘Crash Course‘ in Gallery III this past July. The exhibition explored the artist’s life right now as a new father living on the West Side of Chicago.

Sentrock uses this collection to find peace in life while everything around us is a struggle, hoping to pass that message on to the viewers.

Our interview with Sentrock explores his creative process, the places that shaped him, and what’s next for the artist.

For those unfamiliar with your work, can you share a little about your background and what inspired your artistic pursuits?

I was born in West Phoenix in a Mexican neighborhood. My first interaction w/ creating art was really art class in elementary school through a guest artist creating a mural for our school. After that, I got into graffiti, and that’s been the route that more or less led me here in my art. Growing up my pop was in and out of prison which has inspired much of my art and bird characters. The concept of freedom through an alter ego like a bird is very interesting to me. 

What was the inspiration behind this latest body of work? What themes were you exploring?

My latest body of work was just a reflection of where my life is at the moment, being introduced to fatherhood, dealing with my daddy issues but also figuring shit out –still reflecting my environment in Chicago and my neighborhood. 

What was the most challenging piece in this exhibition? How did it help you grow as an artist?

I can’t say which piece was the most challenging; I would say being able to explore other concepts outside of my usual character was a challenge. I feel this body was a conscious flow of my art. 

What does a day in the studio look like for you? How do you structure your days? 

Wake up, take care of my baby boy for a couple of hours, jump on my bike and get to a local coffee shop. Get in the studio and start sketching free thoughts, respond to emails and just start getting on a painting that is in the works. 

Do you have any rituals that help you tap into a creative flow? 

Not really, I should but music and coffee. 

What is your favorite and least favorite part of the creative process? 

My favorite part of the process is getting lost in the sauce. My least favorite part of the process is getting lost in the sauce. Like how far can I go and dive into my art w/o being unsociable, hahaha. Like I like being into my art and losing a sense of reality, but on the other hand, I can lose my sense of responsibility. 

Who are some of your creative influences?

My creative influences are Mexican muralists the big 3, and the way they share messages through culture and art. Also Frida, I mean she really opened up the door for Mexicans to be emo. Also, I like cartoons, The regular show, Simpsons — all that. I feel my art is in the middle somehow ha. 

You’ve worked with many Chicago sports teams, like the White Sox and Bulls; how did those opportunities arrive at your doorstep? What is your favorite sport to watch and support? Favorite sport to play? 

Idk. Chicago loves and I love the city back, so we are all just fans of the city. We are a city of hustlers w/ heart. 

Do you have a mural project in the works? Where can people expect to see your next big wall?

I am currently preparing for my first solo museum show. It’s gonna consist of murals, paintings, and installations. 

Besides Chicago and San Juan – what cities inspire you the most? Or what cities do you want to visit for inspiration? 

The city I grew up in West Phoenix inspired me a lot, it’s the hood my Momma represented when she was younger, so it always has my heart bc of the good and the moments it built me to be someone w heart. 

If you could have any skill or topic downloaded into your brain, what would you want to be able to do/ be an expert at?

I want to be a filmmaker. I want to share visual stories. I want to learn to write scripts and create movies, like Scorsese. 

Thank you to those who submitted questions for this interview via Instagram

Virtual Tour of July 2022 Exhibitions

Thinkspace presents a virtual tour of our July 2022 exhibitions featuring Ryol’s (Ryo Laksamana) ‘Ready Known’, Mwanel Pierre-Louis ‘Memories and Manifesting’, Sentrock’s ‘Crash Course’, and group exhibition ‘Growth’.

Explore virtual tour here: https://players.cupix.com/p/ZX76LLGc

Tour created by Birdman Photos

Video Tour & Opening Reception of July 2022 Exhibitions

Our July exhibitions marked the expansion of Thinkspace with four simultaneous shows that juxtapose and complemented each other perfectly. Thank you to all those who came out to see, Ryol’s (Ryo Laksamana)Ready Known,’ Mwanel Pierre-LouisMemories and Manifesting,’ Sentrock’sCrash Course’ and group exhibition ‘Growth.’ It was the first opportunity for people to explore over 8,500 square feet of exhibition spaces and our fully landscaped 15,000 square-foot courtyard that connects the two spaces. Music was provided by DJ Mr. NumberOnederful all evening, along with refreshments, a video installation from Michael Allen, live painting with Goopmassta, and installations from Balloonski and Spenser Little.

Continue reading Video Tour & Opening Reception of July 2022 Exhibitions

Photo Tour of July 2022 Exhibitions

Thinkspace presents a photo tour of our July 2022 exhibitions featuring Ryol’s (Ryo Laksamana) ‘Ready Known’, Mwanel Pierre-Louis ‘Memories and Manifesting’, Sentrock’s ‘Crash Course’ and group exhibition ‘Growth’.

Continue reading Photo Tour of July 2022 Exhibitions

July 2022 Exhibitions Showing at Thinkspace Projects | On view July 9 – July 30, 2022

Over the 17 years since their conception, Thinkspace Projects has carefully and thoughtfully built up their reputation as one of the most exciting and reliable sources of New Contemporary Art in not just Los Angeles, but on a global scale as well. They have proven their curatorial prowess, lending their skills as a gallery across the county and the world. No matter how many exciting endeavors they embark on, their LA gallery remains a cultural hub with new shows every month that span themes, styles, and mediums.

Now, they take commitment to the space and the Los Angeles art community and push the boundaries of the gallery quite literally, spreading down the block into a new space in addition to the existing gallery! On July 9th, Thinkspace makes their expansion official, with four simultaneous shows that juxtapose and compliment each other perfectly.

In Gallery One, visual artist RYOL’s (aka RYO LAKSAMANA) new body of work, ‘Ready Known’ fills the space with paintings that reflect his dissatisfaction with reality in comparison to the world he has imagined as a kid watching childhood cartoons. His pop-surrealist artworks are skilfully done, illustrating issues in a patriarchal society, social behaviors, and the fluidity of modern-day gender and gender roles.

Mwanel Pierre-Louis’s ‘Memories and Manifesting’ takes over Gallery II, rounding out the already established Thinkspace locations. With work that combines realism and abstraction in a narrative that draws from personal interactions and pop references, Mwanel explores juxtapositions of fragmented experiences and a strong emphasis on the relationship between subject and color.

Then with just a quick walk next door, Thinkspace presents their new space with work from many more exciting artists. Gallery III, one of the new spaces, holds Sentrock’s ‘Crash Course,’ which explores the artist’s life right now as a new father living in the West Side Chicago. Sentrock uses this collection to find peace in life while everything around us is a struggle, hoping to pass that message on to the viewers. This collection contains his signature iconic bird mask in many of the pieces, representing escape.

Gallery IV houses the group show GROWTH, featuring work from artists like Abi Castillo, Caroline Liu, Dredske, Jamiah Calvin, Kiko Miyares. With each painting in this collection, viewers are taken on a journey not just through the new space, but through the mind of each individual and the collective. Somehow both embracing conflict and cohesion, this show represents pure potential.
With two floors, over 4,700 square feet of exhibition space, plus a 15,000+ square foot courtyard that connects the two spaces, this is certainly a massive undertaking, but it’s one the Thinkspace team is entirely prepared for.

“We were very involved and hands-on throughout the entire design and renovation process, which resulted in two beautiful new gallery spaces for us to expand our program within, not to mention one of the nicest courtyards in LA for our patrons to enjoy. If all that wasn’t enough, we’ll launch our residency ’The Bungalow’ this fall. As we prepare to celebrate our 18th birthday, we feel we are just getting started.”

The opening reception welcomed attendees to explore over 8,500 square feet of exhibition spaces and the new fully landscaped 15,000 square foot courtyard that connects the two spaces along with DJ Mr. NumberOnederful, refreshments, a video installation from Michael Allen, live painting with Goopmassta, installations from Balloonski and Spenser Little, a taco stand and more.

RYOL (aka RYO LAKSAMANA)
Ready Known

RYOL aka RYO LAKSAMANA bio:
Originally from Banyuwangi in East Java, Ryo Laksamana is a recent graduate of the prestigious Institut Seni Indonesia in Yogyakarta. This young artist’s career, however, began much earlier while he was still a student, and in the past few years his artworks have been exhibited quite extensively within and beyond the borders of Indonesia.

At a glance, Ryo’s paintings are charmingly whimsical; pop surrealist artworks skillfully done in an illustrative style reminiscent of the world of anime. The visual veneer of his artworks camouflages the fact the artist broaches subjects that are in contrast quite contemporary.

Upon closer examination, the subjects this young artist’s works address are far from frivolous. Among them, critiques of traditional patriarchal society, social behavior that is quick to judge others, as well as the fluidity of modern-day gender and gender roles, to name a few.

MWANEL PIERRE-LOUIS
Memories and Manifesting

MWANEL PIERRE-LOUIS bio:
Mwanel Pierre-Louis is an Artist based out of Miami, Florida. His work combines realism and abstraction in a narrative that draws from personal interactions and pop references. Mwanel’s paintings feature juxtapositions of fragmented experiences and a strong emphasis on the relationship between subject and color. Born in NY, from Haitian descent, he’s spent time living and absorbing the culture from New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

SENTROCK
Crash Course

SENTROCK bio:
Joseph Perez, best known as “Sentrock” is a self taught street artist. Sentrock witnessed street art as a form of expression, birthing his interest to pickup a spray can and continue to share his artistic voice. His early works were developed from graffiti writing in Mexican-American neighborhoods. Sentrock’s signature bird-mask over a human figure has become his most recognizable declaration. Sentrock describes his bird-mask as analogous to humanity: a person who is able to find or escape to their freedom by placing them in a different reality.

Through his work, he has become a catalyst for his community. His work presents undertones of hope, freedom and expression. His work encapsulates his background, history, upbringing, empathy, and compassion for his community.

GROWTH
Group Exhibition

Featuring new works from:
Jamiah Calvin
Abi Castillo
Ikechukwu A. Christian
Delisha
Dredske
Maya Fuji
Laust Hojgaard
Kazuhiro Hori
Yasuhito Kawasaki
Kwang Hyun Kim
Caroline Liu
Mr. B Baby
Nika Mtwana
Kiko Miyares
Caroline Weaver

All exhibitions on view July 9 – July 30, 2022

Thinkspace Projects
4207 + 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016