Maximillian Gallery Presents “Once Upon a Time in the West” Opening 11/10/12 in W. Hollywood

Rene Gagnon’s Abraham Obama Lenticular Prints (2012)
On Ron English Originals
36″ x 24″ Each
Images Courtesy of Maximillian Gallery


Once Upon a Time in the West -

Curated by third-generation art connoisseur and entrepreneur Caradoc, Maximillian Gallery is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art, featuring dozens of emerging as well as established artists, with an emphasis on urban, graffiti, and street art.  The gallery’s upcoming exhibition, Once Upon a Time in the West, features works by some of the most provocative and prolific artists working today.

WHAT:  Once Upon a Time in the West Art Exhibition

WHO:  Andy Appleton, Mauro Caputo, John Carr, COL, COPE2, DD$, DeeKay, Dog Byte, Richard Duardo, Felix, Rene Gagnon, Gregos, Listak, Devin Liston, Septerhed, Smear, Steven Swimmer & Tazroc

WHEN:  Opening reception Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm (with some featured artists in attendance), as well as daily through Thursday, December 20, 2012 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm, and by appointment

WHERE:  Maximillian Gallery, 1200 Alta Loma Road, West Hollywood, CA 90069

“Los Angelina” by DD$ (2012)
48” x 96” Mixed Media on Wood
Image Courtesy of Maximillian Gallery

Abraham Obama Lenticular Prints –
Rene Gagnon’s reworked Abraham Obama lenticular prints, now featured at Maximillian Gallery, are unique and historic large mash-up prints (36″ x 24″) of original Ron English prints, on lenticular plastic for 3D and color-changing effects. Gagnon has hand-painted his distinctive sought-after style onto each one, creating new originals. Very few of these hand-finished art works are available.  Gagnon, who was welcomed into Maximillian Gallery this past month, is a true pioneer of the street art movement and a world-renowned artist.  His work, which has influenced many of today’s top street artists, bridges the gap between urban graffiti/street art and “gallery art.”  His contemporary expressionistic works are layered with pop art imagery and a saturation of tagging hand styles, stenciling, and pure bombing. Check out Gagnon’s Abraham Obama designs at http://maximilliangallery.com/product-category/abraham-obama.

Street Art –

Present since humans have been on the planet, street art has evolved to encompass a diverse collection of media including graffiti, stencil art, sticker art, poster art, wheatpasting, video projection, guerilla art, sculpture, and installation.  For years, the art form was primarily viewed in public, but as the street art phenomenon steadily gained momentum, it has increasingly earned recognition in the established art world, by collectors, museums, and fine art galleries around the world.

Los Angeles has a vital street art scene, both on the street and in major art institutions.  Influential and intriguing street art pieces are located throughout the city.  And the local established art world has increasingly embraced the art form.  In 2011, for example, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) in Los Angeles set attendance and new member records with its controversial exhibition Art in the Streets, one of the biggest exhibits of its kind, ever, in the world.  Art lovers across the socio-economic spectrum are increasingly seeking out the art form for its raw power, vibrant energy, and thought-provoking content.

Caradoc, Gallery Owner & Director –

Maximillian Gallery was founded by Caradoc, an avid art collector and entrepreneur.  In addition to being a passionate art collector and patron of the arts, Caradoc has had more than 20 years of experience in marketing, including licensing, production, product placement, digital strategy, and consumer products.  He has been a life-long art enthusiast, born to artist parents, and was raised in both France and the United States.  His keen eye for art was honed at an early age with visits to the Louvre and the top art spaces in Paris, New York, and Los Angeles.  Creative innovation is in Caradoc’s blood – his grandmother was Esther Waggoner Robles, a pioneering force on the Los Angeles art scene.  She opened the first art gallery on La Cienega Boulevard, the Esther Robles Gallery, which was one of the most successful and important fine art galleries in the city for 30 years, representing top artists of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.  She has also been credited with inventing the “art walk.”

Prior to launching Maximillian Gallery, Caradoc worked for Fortune 500 company Avery Dennison, as head of new revenue models.  He has also produced films and albums, and created nightclubs, including Vertigo, which was sold to Prince.  Caradoc also invented the iconic board game, Vino! The Exciting Game of Wine, sold at Neiman Marcus and other luxury retailers.  He holds an MBA from HEC, France’s top business school.  Blending his love of art and business acumen made perfect sense to Caradoc, hence, Maximillian Gallery was born.  Caradoc’s vision, depth of art knowledge, and sensitivity to working with the world’s top celebrities and VIPs all contributed to Caradoc’s gallery being embraced by the Sunset Marquis Hotel, where it opened in December 2010.

Maximillian Gallery –

Maximillian Gallery is devoted to bringing cutting-edge art to new audiences.  The gallery connects those who desire meaningful art – collectors at every level – with contemporary, urban and street art in a variety of forms.  The gallery features an array of talent, from emerging to internationally acclaimed artists, including painters, sculptors, photographers, and illustrators, with new artists added regularly.   One-of-a-kind original art and limited edition art gifts, which run from $20 to $20,000, can be purchased through the gallery as well as at http://maximilliangallery.com/product-category/art-store.  The gallery also manages custom mural projects for clients and publishes fine art prints.  Maximillian Gallery also offers art rental and designer services, providing a sophisticated finishing touch to home and commercial spaces.  In 2011, the gallery was named “Best Street Art Gallery in a Swanky Hotel” by the LA Weekly.

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For more information, photos or to schedule an interview, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada at 213-840-1201 or lynn@greengalactic.com.

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