Artist Gogy Esparza Curates 'Magic’s Playplace' at Whaam! Gallery
“The artworks may feel unfamiliar yet strangely familiar.”
Whaam! gallery recently launched Magic’s Playplace, a group exhibition curated by Gogy Esparza. The exhibition pays homage to the nostalgic essence of old New York City, reminiscent of the vibrant energy of fast-food play centers prevalent from the 1980s to the 2000s. Featuring the works of eight artists including Shaun Crawford, Destiny Mata, Weirdo Dave, and Shawn Powers, among others, the exhibition’s diverse and dynamic palette transports viewers into a world of childhood memories. These artworks, set against a playful backdrop, subtly reveal societal contradictions and mixed personal realities. Just like the forgotten “PlayPlaces” themselves, the faces and themes depicted in “the artworks may feel unfamiliar yet strangely familiar” to many as Esparza expressed in a note to Hypeart.
The exhibition is made possible with the support of Supreme. Gogy Esparza, the curator, is an artist and founder of Magic Gallery, a dynamic project space established in 2013 in downtown New York City. With over 30 exhibitions showcasing a diverse range of artists, including Mark Gonzales and Peter Sutherland, Magic Gallery remains committed to championing creativity from all backgrounds. It continues to serve as a hub of innovation within contemporary art, celebrating the essence and soul of each artist’s work.
Magic’s Playplace is running until April 6, 2024.
Whaam!
15 Elizabeth St # 113,
New York, NY 10013
