Koplin Del Rio

November 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shay Bredimus: Indelible Marks
Exhibition Dates: January 9 – February 20, 2010
Artist Remarks followed by Reception: Saturday, January 9, 2009, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm; Saturday: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm
Public Contact: 310-836-9055

Koplin Del Rio is pleased to announce its first solo exhibition of work by emerging Los Angeles artist Shay Bredimus.

A figurative painter, Bredimus employs languid and gestural marks using tattoo ink on drafting film to portray spontaneous and personal moments of his models. His classical training in portraiture is evident, to which he has added aesthetic influences from Japanese tattoo, and Ukiyo-e prints. Shay’s intention is to convey the fleeting effects of light and shadow as it moves across the figures in his portraits. This effect is established with the combination of quick and deliberate marks, along with letting the ink drip and fall randomly. In this practice Shay does not control the medium rather the medium directs him. His large drawings display aggressive application to enhance the spontaneous aspects of the drawing process. This quality is important to display Bredimus’ distinct perspective as an artist, and individual fingerprint as a human being. Shay has chosen to work on Duralar drafting film for its effortless movement and translucency, and because it allows for the use of layers of pigment to create depth of field in the picture plane with out the aid of horizon lines or backgrounds. The translucent drafting film also allows him to use both sides of the surface to add additional atmospheric elements.

Bredimus’ recent series of work titled Indelible Marks further explores the artist’s unique approach to painting and documentation of the human experience. Bredimus explains, “the subjects portrayed in these series of brush drawings are heavily tattooed and body modified in the pursuit of something lasting and uniquely distinguishable in this ever changing and ephemeral world. The indelible permanence not only refers the models being painted but also the materials (tattoo ink) on drafting film, and the application of these materials.”

Shay Bredimus earned an MFA in 2008 from the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna, California and a BFA in painting from Emily Carr University in Vancouver, Canada in 2004. He has studied under mentors F. Scott Hess and Wes Christensen, among others. His work was featured in a solo exhibition at the San Luis Obispo Art Center in 2008. Bredimus has earned critical praise from Artweek and the New Times San Luis Obispo.

For further information or photos, please contact Ronald De Angelis at (310) 836-9055.