Teen Angel & Estevan Oriol "Dedicated to You"
BEYOND THE STREETS is pleased to announce ESTEVAN ORIOL & TEEN ANGEL, Dedicated to You, an exhibition that brings together two of the most influential forces that have chronicled and shaped the essence and legacy of Chicano culture. The show, with the support of Guayakí Yerba Mate, will be a testament to the rich history of this vibrant community.
Since his emergence as an artist in the early 1990s, Estevan Oriol has been celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Los Angeles, capturing the city's heart and soul with unparalleled depth and authenticity. Dedicated to You is set to showcase a carefully selected series of works from Oriol's illustrious career, spotlighting the unique sources of inspiration that have shaped his distinguished style, including the pages of Teen Angel’s Magazine, which played a role in Oriol's early artistic vision.
Watts Life © Estevan Oriol
The exhibition's curation is a testament to the meticulous exploration of Oriol's extensive archive, a process involving countless hours of delving into his vast collection and visual legacy. Each chosen image underscores Oriol's exceptional ability to reveal the beauty in often-overlooked landscapes, fostering a deep appreciation for Los Angeles' rich and transcendent history. The show will not only highlight Oriol's photographic achievements but also celebrate the impact of Teen Angel on his work. Teen Angel’s Magazine, with every issue, acted as a cultural beacon, uniting communities and forging lifelong friendships. This includes the significant relationship between Oriol and the late Teen Angel's closest friend and director of his estate, David De Baca. Oriol's connection with De Baca led to a poignant request for Oriol to photograph Teen Angel’s studio the day after his passing in 2015, marking a profound moment for Oriol.
About the show, Estevan Oriol shares, "This exhibition is more than a showcase of my work; it's a homage to the city that raised me, the culture that shaped me, and the individuals who've walked this journey alongside me. It's a moment to reflect on the layers of Los Angeles, through the lens of my camera and the stories that have unfolded in its streets.”
Original Photographs © Estevan Oriol
Parallel to Oriol's exhibition, the spotlight will also shine brightly on the unique cultural phenomenon of Teen Angel's Magazine. A groundbreaking publication from the 1980s through the early 2000s, it was ahead of its time, offering a platform for Chicano art, lowrider culture, and tattoo artistry. The show will pay tribute to the late Teen Angel, founder of the magazine, who passed away in 2015 but left an indelible mark on Chicano art and culture.
A one-time writer and artist for Lowrider Magazine in the late 1970s, Teen Angel ventured into publishing on his own in 1980 when he launched Teen Angel’s Magazine. Edgy yet whimsical, the publication featured artwork, dedications, photographs, poems and articles all focusing on life in the Varrios of California and the Southwest. Where most saw blight and despair, Teen Angel saw beauty and life. He embraced the colorful murals of the Varrio, the unique dress style of cholos and cholas, the camaraderie of homeboys and their gangs, the graffiti on the walls, the lowriders that cruised the streets and of course, the beautiful, black and gray style tattoos that adorned Chicanos.
Teen Angel’s Magazine © Teen Angel Estate
Teen Angel’s Magazine gave a voice and outlet to a generation, from gangsters in prison and to young girls looking for love. As the magazine grew in popularity, Teen Angel received more and more artwork from his fans, many of whom were incarcerated. By the early 1980’s the magazine became the “go-to” for Chicano style, so much so that Teen Angel created other magazines dedicated to the style. Teen Angel’s Tattoo Style and Teen Angel’s Tattoo Design (Prison Style) featured page after page of flash designed by Teen Angel and his readers, as well as tattoo photographs and business cards of artists offering fine-line style tattoos. To this day, Chicano artists around the world still use and are inspired by Teen Angel’s Magazine and its iconic floral borders that left an indelible mark at the local newsstands and community shops where it was distributed.
David De Baca, a close confidant and custodian of Teen Angel's legacy, along with Bryan Ray Turcotte, a respected culture historian and collector, play pivotal roles in curating the show with Roger Gastman. Together, they bring forth a collection that encompasses rare artifacts and original works from Teen Angel's archive, as well as select pieces from Turcotte's extensive collection, including magazine paste-ups, sculptures, and ephemera. Central to this display will be an immersive installation, meticulously recreating the artist’s workspace, complete with his original desk and glasses. This deliberate arrangement serves not only as a visual tribute but also as a gateway into the heart of Teen Angel's creative world, ensuring a comprehensive portrayal of the creative ethos and vision that propelled Teen Angel’s Magazine to its influential status.
Teen Angel’s Magazine © Teen Angel Estate
"Curating this exhibition is a deeply personal endeavor for me, a tribute to my dear friend, Teen Angel, and an opportunity to bring his legacy to the forefront. Through these artifacts and stories, we're not just preserving history; we're breathing life into the pages and art that shaped a generation. It's a responsibility I carry with pride, ensuring that the influence and artistry of Teen Angel continue to inspire and resonate with both new and familiar audiences,” shares exhibition curator David De Baca.
The public opening reception for Dedicated to You will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 11AM to 6PM, with the show on view through September 15, 2024.
Exclusive merchandise and printed matter will be available within the gallery gift shop for the duration of Dedicated to You, including an extensive apparel collection, collectibles, prints, and the first release from Teen Angel's Magazine in decades in the form of a 64-page special issue with Estevan Oriol, featuring a compilation of new and archived material.
Gallery and Retail Hours:
Wednesday – Sunday: 11AM - 6PM
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Address:
434 N La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036
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About Estevan Oriol
Estevan Oriol is an internationally celebrated photographer, visual artist, director and urban lifestyle entrepreneur. Beginning his career as a hip-hop club bouncer turned tour manager for popular rap groups Cypress Hill and House of Pain, Estevan’s passion for photography developed while traveling the world. With an influential nudge and old camera from his father, renowned photographer Eriberto Oriol, Estevan began documenting life on the road and established a name for himself amidst the burgeoning hip-hop scene. Nearly 20 years later, Oriol’s extensive portfolio juxtaposes the glamorous and gritty planes of LA culture, featuring portraits of famous athletes, artists, celebrities and musicians as well as latino, urban and tattoo culture lifestyles. Oriol work also extends to collaborations with major brands and artists.
About Teen Angel
Born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, artist Dave Holland, also known as Teen Angel, became enamored with the Chicano, Lowrider and Pachuco cultures at an early age, drawing everything from old Chevys to religious icons to life in the streets. His obsession led him to move to Southern California in the early 1970’s, where he eventually worked full-time as an illustrator and writer with Lowrider Magazine. In 1980, while still working for Lowrider, he founded Teen Angels Magazine, publishing artwork by those incarcerated, as well as dedications, photographs, poems and articles, all spotlighting the Varrios of California and the Southwest. Teen Angel remained anonymous, publishing over 200 issues of the magazine and its spin-offs. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 75, leaving a mysterious legacy and a lifetime of artwork continuing his story.
About David De Baca
David De Baca's life has been shaped by the culture of lowriders and Chicano art. Encouraged by his parents, the San Diego native and his siblings found their calling through these mediums, with their childhood home serving as a canvas for murals and tags. In a pivotal moment in 2004, the San Diego Automotive Museum recognized his expertise and invited him to curate a lowrider exhibit with his brother, Carlos. Embracing the challenge, De Baca brought to life Bajitos y Suavecitos, an exhibit that set attendance records at the museum. This success marked the beginning of De Baca's distinguished career as a curator, leading him to oversee several acclaimed exhibits, including the Teen Angel Exhibit at MOCA in Los Angeles. The passing of his close friend Teen Angel in 2015 marked a significant turning point for De Baca. Motivated by a desire to honor Teen Angel's legacy, he embarked on a mission to safeguard the future of Teen Angel's archives. Through his endeavors, De Baca has become not just a curator of art exhibits but a custodian of a rich cultural legacy, ensuring that the impact of lowriding and Chicano art continue to resonate and inspire.
About Bryan Ray Turcotte
San Jose, California native Bryan Ray Turcotte embarked on a transformative journey to Los Angeles in 1989, a move that would lay the groundwork for his remarkable career in the worlds of music and art. His early days in Los Angeles were marked by his contributions to the iconic Slash Records and his musical endeavors as the bassist for Black Market Flowers. In 1999, Turcotte's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Kill Your Idols, a publishing company dedicated to the preservation and celebration of punk culture. This venture was followed by the co-founding of Beta Patrol in 2005, a music production company that further showcased his multifaceted talents in the music industry. Renowned as a cultural historian, curator, collector, and publisher, Turcotte's work reflects a deep commitment to chronicling and celebrating the rich history of punk culture. He has amassed an extensive collection of punk memorabilia, including art, flyers, buttons, and photography, with his archive earning global recognition from aficionados and scholars alike. Turcotte made his directorial debut with the Art of Punk documentary series for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and is the curator of The Punk Rock Museum Las Vegas.
About Guayakí Yerba Mate
Based in Sebastopol and Venice, California, Guayakí [Gwy-uh-kee] is the leader in yerba mate [yer-bah ma-tay] beverages. As a certified B Corp and registered Social Purpose Corporation, Guayakí Yerba Mate’s regenerative business model aspires to create a net positive impact in the world throughout its operations and supply web, starting at the source. That’s why Guayakí sources shade-grown, certified regenerative, organic, and fair trade mate that helps conserve and restore the Atlantic Forest in South America. Guayakí works closely with smallholder and Indigenous producers to implement its high environmental and social impact standards and invest in community-driven projects. Guayakí products are available at more than 45,000 stores across the US and Canada.