Capturing the magical glow of the Golden Hour, the rich blue of the early evening and the butter-gray of morning, Seth Armstrong Transports us to South California in its constant series of oil paintings. Bright bungalows, electric lines, palm trees and shrubs suffocate the foothills that form Los Angeles, with the San Gabriel -Bergen that often rise in the background.
Greenery plays a central role in the suburbs of Armstrong, reveal and hide roads, houses and infrastructure – evolving for the reputation of the city as a place where every dream seems possible. Nevertheless, the vast neighborhoods, immense wealth and locus of the entertainment industry tend to cover underflows that are brought to light by recent immigration protests or the devastating forest fires from last year.
Next month Armstrong will open a solo exhibition entitled Subrosa bee London unitBorrow from the Latin expression “under the rose”, which means status or discretion. The artist draws from his own observations of his LA neighborhood during long, early morning walks with his young son.
Viewed from a distance, the hills neighborhoods seem idyllic, even paradise, but he refers to elements outside the frame in this city Constant in Flux: simmering socio-political tensions, terrible mountains and fire brigade houses and tangible economic differences. Sometimes people are present, half hidden in windows and often only noticeable when they are viewed up close. “There is substance behind the forms,” says Armstrong. “Sometimes you get a look at. Sometimes not.”
Subrosa runs from July 9 to August 17. See more about Armstrong’s website And Instagram.
