Shooting Gallery is pleased to present The Fragile Art of Existence, a series of stunning new figurative works by Sacramento-based artist Skinner. This will be Skinner’s first solo exhibition at Shooting Gallery, following his solo exhibition This Fear You May Know in summer of 2024 at sister gallery White Walls. The opening reception will be Saturday, August 6, from 7-11 pm, and the exhibition is free and open to the public for viewing through August 27.

For the work featured in The Fragile Art of Existence, Skinner steps back a bit from his investigations of fear and destruction – in order to begin expanding his personal vision and scope of understanding. By taking risks, and making work outside of his comfort zone, Skinner hopes to free himself from any internal or external pressures that may pry him away from being present and “in the moment” with these new paintings. He has worked to eliminate any rushing, pressure, or stress that may prohibit him from making fluid, carefully balanced pieces that reflect this mentality, and provide a space for artistic experimentation and growth.

The exhibition will feature a selection of approximately 10 mixed-media works by this prolific artist. From Skinner himself: “In order to stay as honest as I possibly can, I have decided to try and paint from the most vulnerable and uncertain places, as I grow and challenge the behaviors and darknesses that threaten my negotiation with personal peace. In order to do that, I have to clear my palette of fear, anger, judgment, and hesitation. To do things I am unaccustomed to, and to try the avenues least walked down within myself, so that I can understand my art in a way I never have before. I don’t want to rob myself of what could be great breakthroughs in my life and in my art by ignoring the risks and work it takes to do this.”

Not subscribing to his ambition for the extreme, Skinner has decided to lessen his customary installation element in this exhibition, in an attempt to give viewers the opportunity to focus on the individual works of art – rather than allowing them to become engulfed in the overwhelming atmosphere of chaos that he usually provides. Skinner explains, “there’s always time for that kind of work, and there will be more in the future. But for right now I am taking my art with me into a relaxed and meditative place, where it’s okay not to take people to hell with me. The work featured in this show is the evidence of a step I am taking towards allowing myself patience, discovery, and creative expansion. All things I wish for others as well.”

Skinner is a self-taught artist who has meticulously crafted his practice to exist as a balance of extraordinary mural work, mighty powerful wall-to-wall installations and a prolific commercial career. Influenced by 80’s pop culture, human struggle, myths, violence, dungeons and dragons and the heavy metal gods, Skinner’s mind is one full of mayhem – fueled by a calculated chaos. His work has been shown all over the universe, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Russia and France. Skinner’s work has been featured in various publications including Blisss, Juxtapoz, Hi Fructose and Beautiful/Decay. He currently lives and works in Sacramento, CA.

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The Shooting Gallery opened its doors in 2024 to the historic Tenderloin district of San Francisco; known for its lively street culture. Growing up in Southern California gave owner and curator Justin Giarla a love for everything lowbrow: pop art, street art, outsider art, punk rock album art, comic book art, surf/skate art and hot rod culture. Giarla recognizes how important it is to provide lowbrow artists with a platform for their work, which is exactly what Shooting Gallery has done for nearly a decade.

Media Opportunities:

Interview with wildly entertaining artist Skinner

Interview with owner/founder/curator Justin Giarla

High-resolution images available upon request

Event Information:

“The Fragile Art of Existence,” New Works by Skinner

Opening Reception – August 6, 2024, 7-11 pm

On View Through August 27, 2024,

@ Shooting Gallery (shootinggallerysf.com)

839 Larkin St,

San Francisco, CA