Acclaimed Los Angeles street artist Deedee Cheriel is holding an exhibition of her work called Little Spirit and the Infinite Longing at Pure Evil Gallery, London, from April 18 – May 12.
The show utilizes disparate influences including Indian icons, punk, feminism and naturalism, set within a landscape inspired by a childhood in the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest United States.
The images are created with Cheriel’s signature ‘pop’ multi-colored stripes on canvases and posters, murals and billboards with techniques acquired as a street artist, filmmaker and during her time as a touring musician.
With nuances of East Indian folk art, Cheriel’s use of bold elements – both urban and natural, as well as pop culture – suggest an ability to find commonalities and relationships between self and surroundings. Trees reach down towards woodland creatures, animated by life forces within; life-changing journeys are undertaken with spiritual intent. These are stories of loss, hope and inspiration, profound reminders of the very things that inevitably confirm our common humanity and our ultimate quest for connection.
Describing her work and influences, Cheriel says,“The tedious dramas of everyday life find comedic remedy in my petite narratives. Wanting something that is unattainable, living with a sick boyfriend, trying to connect with girlfriends of different racial and social standings – all these experiences become anthropomorphic characters entangled in folkloric fairytales in my paintings. I use animals and elements from my natural environments to depict human emotions.“
Cheriel’s work has recently been selected for use by Obey, the new line of clothing by influential artist Shepard Fairey (whose Barack Obama poster became the iconic image of the presidential campaign).
