Artist Talk: Manuel López in conversation with Rafael Cardenas at CJG2, March 19th at 1:30 pm

Charlie James Gallery is pleased to present Manuel Lopez in conversation with Rafael Cardenas on March 19th at 1:30 pm, followed by a walkthrough of Manuel's solo exhibition Still Life Goes On. RSVP is required for the event, light refreshments will be served.

 Manuel López's drawings and paintings are informed by his immediate surroundings. Each piece is a careful examination of elements found around his environment: books, records, boxes, houseplants, various elements from his home, his neighborhood, and studio.  López relies on observation, memories, materiality, touch, and presence to evoke a feeling of familiarity in the compositions. The content of the drawings and paintings build a portrait of the artist - his memories and affections, his culture and personal history, expressed through carefully composed depictions of arranged objects.

 Manuel López (b.1983, East Los Angeles, CA) grew up in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. He attended East Los Angeles College, transferred to The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) where he earned his BFA in painting and drawing. He has been included in numerous group exhibitions in institutions, galleries, and museums nationwide including Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla, Charlie James Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Youngbloods; Quotidian, Los Angeles, CA, Gardens; Last Projects, in Los Angeles, CA; Now(n) person, place, or thing; Tiger Strikes Asteroid, in Chicago, Il,  Dark Progressivism; The Built Environment, at the Museum of Art and History, in Lancaster, CA; Vincent Price Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA; Friends Do Not Fear, at New Image Art, in West Hollywood, CA; Dia de los Muertos Exhibit at Self-Help Graphics, Boyle Heights, CA; Surface Place at Abrazo Interno Gallery at The Clemente, New York, NY; Spill at the Betty Rymer Gallery,  Chicago, IL SAIC Undergrad Exhibition, at Sullivan Galleries, Chicago, IL, Solo Exhibition- So Mundane and incomplete (Some drawings and paintings); at Eastern Projects, Los Angeles, CA. He lives and works in East Los Angeles and is represented by Charlie James Gallery.

RAFAEL CARDENAS is a Los Angeles self-taught photographer with work currently touring in LACMA's collection. He has participated in LAs art, music and theater scenes and is currently running a podcast channel where he interviews people from all of these creative communities.