A Spanish duo that takes its name from a skateboarding trick, the slang for monster and the moon launches its first-ever solo show in Metro Vancouver tomorrow (Thursday).
Olliemoonsta - made up of Madrid native Juan Rico and Naza del Rosal, of AlmerÃa - will open Different States of Mind at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village, in Port Coquitlam, at 7 p.m.
Their exhibit mixes urban and tribal cultures, ranging from illustration paintings to graffiti.
"We grew up in a city full of graffiti and people normally think it is not art," del Rosal said. "They think it is just vandalism but we believe that there is something else behind this discipline."
She added, "We try to show that graffiti is an important part of our cities and it is also an art discipline although sometimes it can cause some damage. This is part of the urban tribes that are included in our work and are constantly mixed with the traditional tribes cultures."
The pair started working together in 2009 as Studio Po, a graphic design, web and illustration studio. A few years later, it rebranded and focused more on art.
They undertook artist residencies in Poland and Portugal - while also continuing to show in their native country - before immigrating to Canada and starting up Olliemoonsta (olliemoonsta.com).
"Canada offers a few options for those who want to come and experience the life here," del Rosal told The Tri-City News last week in an email, "so after searching for the warmest cities in the country, we decided that Vancouver would be the best option for us."
jwarren@tricitynews.com
@jwarrenTC
