HomeArtArt Galleries › Palabra Pop-Up Gallery at the Union
 
 
 

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The Union at the Biltmore is still relatively unknown to most people, but word is catching on in the art community about a great temporary art space from Palabra Hair.Art.Collective.

This is the second gallery for Palabra Hair.Art.Collective, which has their main location a combination hair salon and gallery. September welcomed the whimsical and humorous exhibition “Team Spirit” by local Phoenix artist Oscar Garcia Jr. to the Palabra Pop-Up Gallery. Oscar Garcia Jr. began painting 7 years ago and has been sporadically exhibiting his work across the valley the last few years including last year’s exhibition “Neighborhood Stories” at ASU. Garcia’s latest paintings in “Team Spirit” feature beautifully depicted hybrid animal human figures doing everything from cheerleading to mowing the lawn.

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Viewers are greeted by a small contemporary space filled with just eight paintings. The work is strange and playful with paintings highlighting unusual figures that are performing mundane tasks situated within a minimalist background.As you enter you will notice the striking painting titled “Bike, Wind and Mane”, Garcia has skillfully depicted a man with a lion’s head riding a motorcycle and a muted color palette. One of my favorite pieces from this exhibition is “Twirling”, which depicts a panda girl wearing a cute pink dress twirling a baton, reminding me of a vintage photograph. In addition to the intriguing work his paintings are affordable and come in a variety of sizes, great for collectors. With his work we see a love for painting people and animals and he perhaps references old photographs but still creates interesting compositions for his subjects by placing them within unusual or fantastical situations.

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Overall what a fun exhibition and Palabra Hair.Art.Collective continues to show a great rooster of artists. You still have time to check out the amusing world of Oscar Garcia Jr. in his latest exhibition “Team Spirit”. Union at the Biltmore is located at 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix 85016 and the Palabra Pop-Up Gallery is adjacent to Framed Ewe boutique. This wonderful exhibition will be on view until October 7th. Gallery is open Monday through Saturday 11am until 7pm and on Sunday from 12pm until 6pm.