To wrap up what has been an insanely full-on year celebrating a diverse range of New Contemporary artists, Corey Helford Gallery complete 2024 with two very special solo exhibitions. Co-hosting within their Main Gallery, world-renowned British graffiti/street art collective The London Police unveil new works, alongside Dutch artist Handiedan.
Handiedan’s latest solo show Geef Me Nog Een Kus, translating as ‘Give me another kiss’, marks a return to her roots. This new collection is filled with personal and family items including school notes and tender memories of Handiedan’s late cat, Cactus. “This year has been marked by loss, saying goodbye, and finding peace in the center.” She explains. “Themes of processing, the ‘circle of life,’ space-time, and rebirth are central to my artwork.”
Alongside this, The London Police (Chaz Barrisson and Bob Gibson) aim to provide a more whimsical feel and whisk you away to another realm in their exhibition Escape to L.A. : “In a world with so much commotion and division right now, you may as well find solace in the world of The London Police” they hope. With playful and intricate detail, they aim to focus on their own imaginary world, with Bob using the L.A. landscape as inspiration to create a setting in which Chaz’s LADS characters can live.
Handiedan: Geef Me Nog Een Kus
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The London Police: Escape to L.A.
Dates: December 14 – January 25, 2025 (please note: Corey Helford Gallery will be closed for holiday break: December 24-31)
OPENING RECEPTION: December 14, 2024 | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
COREY HELFORD GALLERY
Main Gallery: 571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
(310) 287-2340
Corey Helford Gallery will also be celebrating the opening of a solo show by Japanese artist Miho Hirano, titled Boundary, in Gallery 3.
From press release: Handiedan: Geef Me Nog Een Kus
With a background in photographic design, illustration, and graphic design, issue 27 artist Handiedan started working as a full-time mixed media artist in 2007. Her artwork has been shown in galleries and museums throughout the world. Handiedan’s art involves a complex cut-and-paste mixture of hand-drawn, digital, and highly detailed sculptural hand-cut collages, complimented by conscientiously collected antique ornamental frames. The artist’s accomplished and refined mixed media techniques allow her to create an artistic journey through past, present, and future. The result is an almost kaleidoscopical visual exploration whose discoveries are sometimes immediately visible and sometimes hidden in plain sight.
My fascination with the infinitely small in quantum physics and the infinitely large in cosmology remains a constant theme. Humanity is just a link in this vast universe, where everything is in constant motion. This can be seen in cells, in nature (like raindrops in a pond), and in the universe itself.
I’m captivated by timeless cultural objects, intricate details, and the dedication involved in creating them. This is why I use old financial documents (such as stock certificates and banknotes), combined with cut-up pin-ups from the 1920s. These elements create an aesthetic and graphic representation of feminine energy, where the nudity of the figures emphasizes their strength.
Handiedan
She adds, “Feminine energy is a recurring theme in my work. I explore the role of the feminine within the masculine in the world and delve into topics such as sexuality, birth, growth, and the decay inherent in the life cycle. Mother Earth, the moon, the sun, and the planets symbolize the interconnectedness of all things. In each artwork, I incorporate my hand-drawn character ‘Amélie,’ a cheerful and playful figure who has been with me since 2002. Amelie brings humour and lightness to my work and serves as a fluid ‘spirit’ that takes on various forms. Through her, I, as the creator, am always present in the artwork, whether as an observer or a commentator. Cartoons played an important role in my childhood, and that playful aspect continues to be reflected in my work.
Ultimately, my work revolves around the concept of playing with time and space-time. The idea that ‘time is relative’ fascinates me deeply. My creative process is literally a journey through time, which can be seen in the interplay of techniques: analogue versus digital. The digital assembly of my artworks and the analogue process of cutting them out by hand, layer by layer. The materials I use—old versus new—also reflect this journey.
My art freezes moments in time, yet brings together multiple layers of time, resulting in a multi-layered, eclectic depiction of various perspectives. This creates an intimate interaction and balance between the figures and my goal as an artist is to invite the viewer to come closer, wander through the artwork, and discover their own story.”
The London Police: Escape to L.A.
The London Police are returning to Los Angeles to exhibit another pleasing dose of their iconic artwork that helped pioneer the alleged “street art” movement in the early 2000’s. After 25 years and several solo shows in L.A., the British art duo, who are based in Holland, are back at CHG.
In a world with so much commotion and division right now, you may as well find solace in the world of The London Police. Consistent attention to detail and craftsmanship combine with both soothing and excitable palettes. Whimsical storylines are threaded throughout to give you a feeling of abstract happiness and discerning comfort.
So please come and check out this new body of work. For one night, let yourself enter the world of The London Police. For one night escape your job, escape your worries. Escape to the art gallery. Escape to L.A.
The London Police
TLP consists of Chaz Barrisson, who draws the iconic “LADS” characters, and Bob Gibson, whose tight portrait and architectural illustrations help marry the two styles to create an endearing, exciting fantasy world. The duo has managed to form a partnership more cohesive than Han Solo and Chewbacca in Star Wars and is continuing to produce slick artwork that is tighter than a butler’s cuff. Over the years, TLP have amassed more than 125 shows and events in over 40 countries, and they have murals worldwide.
About Corey Helford Gallery //
Established in 2006 by Jan Corey Helford and her husband, television producer/creator Bruce Helford (The Conners, Lopez vs. Lopez, Anger Management, The Drew Carey Show, and George Lopez), Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) has since evolved into one of the premier galleries of New Contemporary art. Its goal as an institution is to support the growth of artists, from the young and emerging to the well-known and internationally established. CHG represents a diverse collection of international artists, primarily influenced by today’s pop culture and collectively encompassing style genres such as New Figurative Art, Pop Surrealism, Neo Pop, Graffiti, and Street Art.
