Through the medium of ceramics artist Kim Simonsson questions the role of the child and nature in the modern world. Often referencing Manga cartoon imagery, children and sometimes animals are presented in Simonsson’s work to challenge tradition, cultural habits and beliefs for both the East and West. These traditions are also challenged through the artist’s choice of material. Simonsson uses ceramics to draw a parallel with decorative China figurines and traditional ceramic craft of the West, updating both by saturating them in elements of pop-culture. Simonsson graduated from the University of Arts and Design, Helsinki, Finland (2000). Recent solo exhibitions in Finland include Galleria Huoltamo, Tempere, and Arabia Gallery Helsinki. The artist is also represented by Nancy Margolis Gallery, NYC, and has received project funding from the Stina Krook Foundation and the Svenska Kulturefonden.

By synthesizing ideas of modern technology and the experience of life in the information era, the artist Mark Schoening offers a social commentary about the effects of inescapable media. While the paintings are a reflection of our time, they certainly speak of the possibilities and ramifications of future technological growth. Schoening attempts to capture this atmosphere in a fixed image, allowing the viewer the opportunity to step back and contemplate their relationship to the recent influx of technology, advertising and media and how we process this information. Schoening currently lives and works in Boston. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and will exhibit this year with artist Shawn El C. Leonardo at the RHYS Gallery in Boston, Mass. Previous exhibitions include “Balletic Disintegration” with Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Mass., and “Project 604″ at the National Arts Club in New York City.

The artist duo “Os Gemeos” are identical twin brothers from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Os Gemeos gained international notoriety from their ambitious campaign of visual characters in the city of Sao Paulo. Some of these characters are painted six stories high or more. In 1993, while only 19 years old, Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo (Os Gemeos) met with young American graffiti writer Barry McGee. The three artists collaborated on several projects and influenced each other immensely. Os Gemeos is now being featured in art and graffiti magazines worldwide, but the magazine 12oz Profit was the first to expose their work to the United States and abroad. In 2006, the artists exhibited “The fish that ate shooting stars” at Galeria Fortes Vilaca in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The year prior, the Os Gemeos exhibited “Cavaleriro Marginal” with the Deitch Projects in NYC and collaborated with Creative Time to present a mural on Coney Island.