March 29 – April 30, 2003

In the universe of Jonas Melvin, becoming a cliché is a fate worse than death. Not surprising really. This professional vandal has a reputation for picking up new techniques, then ditching them before the competition plays them out. Over the last ten years, San Francisco-based Melvin has honed his techniques internationally on city streets, trains, and subways before moving to the studio. His recent work – precise vinyl images placed on stretched vinyl and parchment – is informed by ’70s and ’80s subcultural influences and themes of vice and vandalism. Obsessed with letterforms and visual text messages, carefully disarrayed alphabets taunt from his slick, colorful canvases where chaotic influences collide with the rigid control of digital media. Melvin has exhibited internationally as a guest artist at the Fondazione Prada in Milan, as well as locally at the San Francisco’s Arts Commission Gallery and Southern Exposure, Fifty24sf, and 111 Minna. His work has been published in The Art of Getting Over, At Down (France), Thrasher, Artweek, While You Were Sleeping, Mass Appeal, The Source, and XLR8R.

Kantor Gallery will welcome this young new artist to Los Angeles with a solo exhibition March 29, 2003. An opening reception will be held Saturday March 29th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.