Sticks & Stones Gallery is pleased to present How the West Was One, the first-ever West Coast solo exhibition of one of New York’s most promising young painters, Jay West. How the West Was One will run from June 12th – August 6th. The artist will be present at the opening reception on Friday June 12th, from 7-11 p.m. 

The show will include some of Jay West’s known pieces, including those shown at this year’s Art Basel, as well as new compositions in what has become his signature style. West’s art is characterized by mixing opposites and colliding worlds, all underscored by the finesse of his classically-trained hand. West paints with deeply adept traditional skill yet his work is anything but expected.

Jay’s expressive pop art style boldly speaks to the wide range of topics he grapples with in his art. From religion to technology, Americana cartoons to Greek mythology, West explodes the canvas with his color, shape, concept and delivery. Though often drawing on classical themes, Jay subverts the traditional narrative with his abstract, surreal and graphic style, an increasingly recognized hallmark of his work.  Many of West’s pieces are 5 feet or larger, making the viewer feel almost voyeuristic in the intimate delivery of West’s subjects.  

A native of Harlem, NY, Jay West has been quickly gaining national and international recognition for his work.  He has shown extensively in New York, as well as Chicago, Miami, San Diego, Harlem and the Hamptons. West has been featured by NY Daily News, Complex Magazine, Elite Daily and Hypebeast, among others. Additionally, West has collaborated with A$AP Ferg, A$AP Rocky, Alicia Keys, Porsche, BMW, Puma, Footlocker, Heineken and more.

Most recently, West has launched a lifestyle apparel brand, Almighty 7, which will be available at the gallery for the duration of the show. Simultaneous to this exhibition, a vintage Porsche painted by Jay West for Crooks & Castles and the Manhattan Classic Car Club will be on display in Los Angeles.