a beam of shadow, a ray of light
April 3 – May 15, 2010
Reception for the Artist: Saturday, April 3, 6 – 9pm
Los Angeles, CA—Sam Lee Gallery is pleased to present in the project space a solo exhibition entitled a beam of shadow, a ray of light by Los Angeles-based artist Nathan Hayden. The show opens April 3 and closes May 13, 2010; the gallery will host an opening reception for the artist on Saturday, April 3, from 6 to 9 p.m.
a beam of shadow, a ray of light comprises a series of 7 pen and ink drawings that hovers between the biomorphic, the abstract and the figurative. Intimate in scale but grand in imagination, these pieces encompass a vast range of themes including post-apocalyptic visions, genetic modifications, mythology, obsessions, hallucinations and sexual desires. Completed in 2007, these allegorical drawings depict densely fictional landscapes and biotechnological universes populated by a myriad of unearthly and bizarre characters.
In Athens Atomic, a menacing, equestrian structure soars above a landscape of mutated sea urchin-like columns and breast-looking globs, projecting potentially harmful rays into multiple directions. This scene recalls the ruse of the Trojan Horse in Greek mythology where the Achaeans hid inside the hollowed construction and raged war against the city of Troy when it went to sleep. In Hayden’s version, however, destructive lasers replace the soldiers, conjuring the possibility of a split second annihilation to the environs. In B4IV, a sporiferous orb with melting, intravenous tendrils suspended in space floats above a system of root-like spacecrafts and cranium pods, resembling a hallucinatory trip that has been completely drained of its color.
Hayden received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2009, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Miami University in 2001. He has mounted several group and solo shows throughout the United States.
Digital images are available for press purposes. Please email (info@samleegallery.com) for reproduction requests.
Sam Lee Gallery at the Pacific Design Center is located at 8687 Melrose Avenue, Suite B267, W. Hollywood, CA 90069-5730, Phone 323-788-3535, Facsimile 323-227-0256. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 12 to 5 pm and by appointment. Pacific Design Center is located on the corner of Melrose Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard. Metered street and structure parking are available; entrance for the structure parking is located on Melrose Avenue, 1/4 block west of Huntley Drive. The gallery is located on the 2nd floor in the Blue Building. Take the west escalator to the 2nd level; the gallery is to the left next to the Conference Room. For detailed information, please visit the gallery’s website, www.samleegallery.com.