‘Cisco Rock’
Art by Lili’s Way
The debut art exhibition from LILI HAYES
Presented by The C.O.A.
In partnership with Thinkspace Projects + Green Street + Alta
Public Opening Reception:
Saturday, May 28 from 6 – 9 pm
Taking Place at:
Green Street
718 S. Hill Street / 7th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90014
To attend, please be sure to RSVP.
A special online Lili Hayes webshop will be launched following the opening weekend, allowing access to her original works on paper to those unable to attend the opening festivities.
Lili Hayes was born In Yugoslavia and raised in Israel. She came from a very poor and loving family that often struggled to find even the most basic resources. She moved to Los Angeles in 1975 and for over 40 years, ran a wholesale women’s clothing store downtown. She learned to be sharp, thoughtful, discerning and most importantly, value the relationships she’d built with her customers above everything else. In 1978, Lili met a man named Hayes, that also went by “The Candyman” and they were married a year later.
On May 16th, 1984, their son Kevin was born. In 2015 Kevin launched his first Instagram account, featuring clips and performances by Lili interacting with the public, which has led to them sharing content on multiple platforms and attracting millions of fans globally.
On February 13th 2021, Kevin gave Lili some paper along with some pens and markers, and she has drawn every day since. In May 2022, The C.O.A. will launch ‘Cisco Rock: Art by Lili’s Way’, which will be the first solo exhibition of drawings and paintings from Lili Hayes, never before seen by the public. Her inspiration for the title came from the nickname “Cisco” which Lili’s mother called her father growing up and which Lili later adopted for her own husband Hayes, which she also called her rock.
On what she wants the public to get from her work, the artist adds “I want them to see me, this is what I know, I draw with love and sweetness. I want people to see it and be happy. I think art is happiness. If the world can accept Lili’s way, I’m a happy camper”.
About the artist: Lili Hayes (born April 7, 1947) is an Israeli-American social media influencer and store owner known for her videos on TikTok and Instagram which are created by her son, Kevin. She is also known for her accent and her frequent rage at Kevin.
Hayes was born in Yugoslavia and was raised in Israel. She moved to the United States where she has spent time in New York City but primarily Los Angeles.
Hayes began making videos on Instagram but later began making TikTok videos as well after it became popular. Her videos are primarily based on Kevin pulling pranks on her or bothering her. The videos are almost always filmed by Kevin. They also do skits based on movies and TV shows such as Scarface, and SpongeBob SquarePants. She is also recognizable and known for her distinctive accent, retro-style Cazal glasses, and ironic Supreme hat which is typically considered to be a brand for Generation Z.
On Instagram, Hayes has 650K followers and over 5.1 million followers on TikTok.
About the C.O.A.: The C.O.A. is a multiversal organization on a mission to make art a part of everyone’s live’s. We believe everyone’s an artist and Every. Thing. Is. Art.
About Thinkspace Projects:Thinkspace Projects was founded in 2005; now in LA’s burgeoning West Adams District, the gallery has garnered an international reputation as one of the most active and productive exponents of the New Contemporary Art Movement. Maintaining its founding commitment to the promotion and support of its artists, Thinkspace has steadily expanded its roster and diversified its projects, creating collaborative and institutional opportunities all over the world. Founded in the spirit of forging recognition for young, emerging, and lesser-known talents, the gallery is now home to artists from all over the world, ranging from the emerging, mid-career, and established.
About Green Street: We’re currently curating Green Street’s first building project; 718 South Hill, a 67,000 SqFt business and community social center in Los Angeles, soon home to the world’s leading Cannabis brands. Our goal is to make Green Street the epicenter of cannabis in Los Angeles, therefore the world.
The building was originally constructed over a century ago for The Los Angeles Furniture Factory, decades later renovated into a jewelry factory, then, years later, a featured location in the 1984 blockbuster Terminator. Just south of Pershing Square, our incredible neighbors include Ace Hotel, Shack Shack, NoMad, Whole Foods, Sweetgreens, Freehand, Sugarfish, RSVP Gallery, Tacos 1986, The LA Athletic Club, Vans, Uncle Paulie’s & more.
The building will now serve as a professional and social hub for the cannabis community, entrepreneurs & creatives. Green Street will be completed in 2021 and will feature over 50 companies and brands including an award-winning restaurant, a private club, art gallery, retail space, co-working suites, brand showrooms, content studios, and a state-of-the-art rooftop event space.
About ALTA: ALTA is a multifaceted event venue in DTLA bringing to life the best of hospitality and entertainment in a cannabis-friendly space. A joint venture between thought-leaders Gusto Green and Green Street, ALTA occupies the penthouse (and soon the rooftop) of 718 S Hill St hosting a rotating calendar of lifestyle events. Available for intimate events and events up to 300 guests. Full production available including catering by Gusto Green.
