America's Finest Kids

http://www.drkrm.com/terry_smith.html

America's Finest Kids Photographs by Terry Smith June 2nd - June 30th, 2012 Reception for the Artist Saturday June 2, 7-10pm drkrm is pleased to present America’s Finest Kids, photographer Terry Smith’s photographic essay of youth culture in Southern California, which will be on display from June 2nd through June 30th, 2012. There will be a reception for the Artist Saturday June 2nd from 7 till 10 pm. “Is it art, or indecent photography?…” In 2001, Terry Smith hung 51 photographs in a downtown San Diego Starbucks. Nine days after the show opened he was forced to take them down. Although steeped in a desire to facilitate social awareness, Smith’s images make people uncomfortable. His work is powerful, provocative, and outrageously sexualized. The gritty, raw nature of Smith’s images - young men, street kids, punks, juvenile delinquents - depicts a class of society the average person doesn’t consider beautiful. These are “lost” kids that Smith describes as “all tore up inside.” He funnels a genuine passion for these boys into his art, creating profound and sometime disturbing images of these young men. Smith explains that, “I simply want to celebrate the beauty and strength found in the young American male.” Smith’s images are reminiscent of the stark documentary reality of Larry Clark, the sexuality of Bruce Weber and the erotic street photography of Herbert List. drkrm is an exhibition space dedicated to the display of popular cultural images, fine art photography, documentary and photo journalism, cutting edge and alternative photographic processes. In addition, drkrm is a full-service black & white photo lab. drkrm is located at 727 S. Spring Street in the Gallery Row district of Downtown Los Angeles. Regular hours are Wednesday-Saturday 12-6, Sunday 12-4 and by appointment.

• Contact:
• John Matkowsky
• drkrm@mac.com
• 323.271.5635