Two Week Popup in San Francisco Explores Commodity Culture with Works by Peter Gronquist, Nathan Wong, Elizabeth Waggett, and more

After five years in New York City, Joseph Gross Gallery is returning to San Francisco with a decadent pop up exhibition at Mirus Gallery. Just a block away from Gross’ first exhibition, Suite Jesus, Versailles Now is his bold foray back into the art world after moving back to the west coast.

With a history of presenting progressive exhibitions, Joseph Gross Gallery has fostered international relationships with artists and gallerists alike – committing to the support and promotion of pioneering 1 of 2 genres and mediums. This May, the gallery will partner with Mirus Gallery to exhibit a series of works that is at once decadent and subversive. Featuring works by Peter Gronquist, Nathan Wong, Elizabeth Waggett, Kip Omolade, Victor Solomon, Knowledge Bennett, Micah Crandall-Bear, Lyle Owerko and Chris Schulz, Versailles Now is a lesson in luxury and mediums – a nod to the lavish and extravagant display of the palace of Versailles. Each artist presents a challenge to commodity culture itself by using tropes, materials, and concepts often associated with wealth, quality, and value, with the collective survey of works confusing and appealing viewers. What is value in a world where we seek the cheapest alternatives? How do we identify ourselves through something more than what we own? This visually stunning exhibition of works seeks to answer these questions and more while working within the realm of consumer culture.

Joseph Gross founded his gallery twelve years ago in San Francisco after seeing his friends struggle to move into the realm of fine art. An avid participant in and appreciator of street art, Joseph Gross decided to mount an exhibition at 111 Minna entitled Suite Jesus to bring together artists and musicians from the local art scene. He knew after the initial show that this was something he wanted to do, ultimately founding his own gallery, and moving it eastward to New York City where he has been for the last five years. Gross represents a stable of contemporary artists who exemplify the gallery’s commitment to pioneering genres and mediums, working with artists that include Peter Gronquist, Knowledge Bennett, and Christopher Schulz to name a few. As the art world continues to change, so do the notions of what galleries are, and Gross has made the decision to no longer have a formal gallery space, instead operating within art fairs, pop-ups, and consultations amongst galleries and artists. This decision did not come lightly, but does come at a very timely moment in which brick and mortar spaces no longer make sense as the art world moves into more internationally accessible venues.

The gallery plans to continue participating in pop-up exhibitions across the United States with more information to be announced as cities are confirmed. You can also find Joseph Gross Gallery at numerous art fairs this year including in St. Tropez and at Miami Art Week in December.

Versailles Now will be on view at Mirus Gallery on May 19 - June 2 with an opening reception Friday, May 19 from 7-10pm.