Opening Reception: Saturday, May 15, 2010, 8-11pm
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 pm

Merry Karnowsky Gallery
170 S. La Brea Avenue
(in the ART 170 Building)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-4408
www.mkgallery.com

Merry Karnowsky Gallery is proud to present a solo exhibition by San Francisco-based painter Tino Rodriguez. Using classical techniques, the artist depicts a magical world in which humans are born out of flowers and water with the ability to communicate with birds, butterflies, and the living world that surrounds them.

Rodriquez expertly weaves together elements from Catholic idolatry, European fairy tales, Celtic fables, Mexican myths, and Native American legends as he explores the complexity of spirituality, sexuality, and transformation. The duality found in Western religions - good and evil, heaven and hell, spirit and body - intermingle in a vision that makes such distinctions irrelevant.

In his new body of work, Rodriguez explores the rich, ethereal texture of pastels and the fluid translucence of watercolors along with his traditional medium of oil. The result is an exuberant, childlike energy that flows beautifully throughout the work.

Rodriguez was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. A graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute, he holds an MFA from the University of Albuquerque. His work has shown in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, Washington DC and Berlin, and resides in permanent collections at The San Jose Museum of Art (San Jose, CA), The Crocker Art Museum (Sacramento, CA), and The Nevada Museum of Art (Reno, Nevada).

At the opening reception on Saturday, May 15th, complimentary beverages will be provided by Bear Flag Wine and Honest Tea.

For More Information, please contact Merry Karnowsky, (323) 933-4408, [email protected].

Press Contact: Ellen Thompson, [email protected]