Rob Mars Returns to Portland to Show at Guestroom Gallery July 11, 2008

Guestroom Gallery has invited past Portlander Rob Mars to head west from his current home in Brooklyn for a solo show entitled Beauty in Hindsight, named after a book he published this spring. The exhibit will open Friday, July 11, kicking off with an opening reception with the artist from 6 to 9 pm, and running through August 30, 2008 at Guestroom, 4114 N. Vancouver Ave, Portland OR.
Mars’ mixed media works portray gritty Americana, rewinding viewers back to the atomic age of the 50’s and 60’s when grandiose neon signs dotted highway strips and towered over city landscapes. His gas station, fast food restaurant and
liquor store signs are superimposed with images of the perennial Ford Mustang, flat nose vans and other symbolic vehicles of the 20th century. In his words, “I am
determined to capture the independent aesthetic of the not-so-distant past that has been replaced by homogenized corporate culture and standardized cityscapes. Industrial design, graphic design, architecture and vintage neon all render important roles in my work.”

As well as founding his own companies and apparel lines, Mars has been a designer for corporations including skateboarding companies Element and 5 Boro, adidas, Bonfire Snowboard Clothing and Ride Snowboards among other action sports entities. He also recently designed a small collection of men’s and women’s apparel for Lewsader, under the special label “Robert Mars: Hi-Caliber.” More on Rob can be found here: http://robertmars.com/

Official Website: http://www.guestroomgallery.com