"2 - Motorcycles + Art" at Gallery 788 in Baltimore, MD

If ever making the drive through Baltimore, Md. be sure to stop by 218 West Sartoga and walk through MAP@Gallery 788. This particular gallery features an eclectic mix of themes in their art shows with work on display from local, emerging, and renowned artists. The most recent show "2 - Motorcycles + Art" is hosted by a female motorcycling group currently called "Formerly Known As", and features works from 15 local and area artists in various media, who all share the common ground of motorcycling.

The opening reception was Thursday, April 18th, and had the added bonus of motorcycle builders and restorers bringing in their creations and projects to be viewed by the masses. To the crowd that came in that night, these bikes all transcended mere forms of economical transportation and really were works of art. If the artwork and motorcycles weren't enough, then the live music from Tom Turnbull, JJ Damage and The Bandits, and the Glenmont Popes certainly would draw a crowd. The sounds ranged from bluegrass, to southern, to rockabilly, and at times the only way to move through the gallery would be to dance, sway, or wiggle through an excited and rambunctious crowd. Beer and wine were provided by Gallery 788 to ensure proper socializing and mingling occurred, while pie and cheesecake were brought in by Dangerously Delicious. Anyone that had tasted those treats is truly lucky and probably very fast, the food didn't last more than 15 minutes before it was totally gone.

A big Thank You is due to the wonderful, hardworking people that put the "2" show together. Charles, Glenn, and Eduardo of Gallery 788 did a wonderful job of providing spaces for the artists, introducing and encouraging the networking, and just being all-around nice guys. Three very different personalities, but great to talk to and work with. Mare, Jillian, Stephanie, and Maureen of "Formerly Known As" are the driving force that put the show together, and were present from it's inception and call-to-artists, all the way through to the opening night reception when it all paid off. Thank you for an exciting night with a stellar atmosphere and an exciting crowd!

The girls from "Formerly Known As" looking extra... patriotic ;)

Fantastic oils that were just beautiful. Some illustrative, some representational, but all of these paintings have something new to find every time you look at them.

Wonderful Black and White photography of the girls.

Abstract paintings by Kelly Walker, and of course with motorcycles comes metal work, this Dragonfly sculpture was built by Jeff Yarrington of Saint Motor Company. 

Bikers may be part of American Subculture, but Adventure Bikers are something else entirely. These photos tell the story of what happens when you decide to live off a motorcycle and journey great distances. Add that to your bucket list.

Paintings on wooden panels of simple, yet timeless motorcycling images throughout the history of the culture. My personal favorite (maybe in the entire show) is the top-right piece featuring none other than Otto Walker circa 1920s board track racing.

Some of the roads around the city are a little bumpy. I can only imagine that this pop piece was inspired by true and factual events. 

Ammunition jewelry from Cathy Boutwell was a hit. 

Some pieces shown above were collaborative efforts. The photos for instance were taken by Alicia Elfving aka The MotoLady, and Kyle Yarrington, and are now available as prints through Jeff Yarrington. The Marilyn Monroe table was also built by Jeff.

Firecrackers repurposed for a really great piece pictured above 

Paintings by the lovely Maureen of "Formerly Known As" have a great use of color that really extenuate the forms. She's a very nice girl and she has a bike that is way cooler than mine. High five!  

This metal and bone piece is stellar and amazing and everything good, but in that Mad Max sort of way, which I really love. 

 Metal Roses on top of black lace. Now that is just class

I really cannot remember a time when I saw a picture of a motorcycle part and thought it was a gorgeous piece of art, but these photographs really are great and show every nook and cranny of the distressed bits.

The artwork pictured above was clearly done by someone that gets nowhere near enough sleep, drinks too much coffee, and  probably is a procrastinator... wait a sec...

Zach (left) questions the proper way to drink a National Bohemian, with the pinky finger in or out. Ben (right) scowls at him for not already knowing. How dare thee.

Tesla, also from Jeff Yarrington of Saint Motor Company, was on display and attracting quite the crowd.

Tom Turnbull was the first musician to play during the show, providing some lovely bluegrass and southern inspired melodies sans backup. 

These pop-art vector illustrations on canvas (above and below) are really something to see in person. The cell phone pictures don't really do them justice. So clean and eye catching.

Silk screen prints from the "Formerly Known As" rider, Jillian. She not only provided art for her own display, but also the design and printing for the flyers, posters, and work rags that were for sale at the show. After speaking with one of the Gallery 788 owners, apparently she had dedicated much of her time to setting up the show and helping to hang the rest of the work. Very motivated girl that one! 

These works really threw me for a loop. I've always had a soft spot for old school tattoo and pop art since I was a teenager learning about Wes Humpston and Dogtown. My two personal favorites though were the photographic prints of the VW doing wheelies, and it wasn't until I got in for a closer look that I realized they're silk screen prints done by hand. I used to silk screen for a time in my early 20s, and these prints are superior to anything I ever did for sure.

 A mix of abstractions and pop, these canvas paintings really make the viewer have to look closely to appreciate the entire image. The use of color and shape to direct the eye is wonderful.

 Pictured above is an example of how I would love to be able to paint. Come see these in person, they will just blow you away with the amount of and attention to detail.

 Photography ranging in subject matter, from Elvis to riding through the desert. All of the photography in the show displayed amazing lighting and very dramatic scenes, even if the scenario pictured were "ordinary". These photos really romanticize the biker culture and the things typically associated with it, making it much easier to understand why bikers are such a special breed :)

To see more from Gallery 788 @MAP, check out their website here or click "like" to follow their facebook page. The "Formerly Known As" group can be found here for now, and a website is coming soon.