The trio listed above is showing at Circle Culture Gallery in Berlin starting today, April 9, 2009. The exhibition has been curated by Aaron Rose, who has this to say about the assembled works:

This exhibition serves to focus on the recent artistic output by three underground heroes from the worlds of skateboarding, graffiti and punk. Even though each of these artists has now firmly established themselves in the world of contemporary art, there are still common themes between them that hail back to their subcultural roots. It could be described primarily as an overriding sense of concern for and representation of the downtrodden, the outsider, the anti-hero. McGee’s sad, sullen faces and neon-colored geometric panels reflect the archetypal image of man overpowered by omnipresent media, Templeton’s portraits of suburban youths perfectly illustrate the harsh alienation of teenage life, while Pettibon’s drawings and paintings focus sharply on issues of personal/social unrest, life during war and the constant power struggle between a man and his destiny. The fact that this is the first time an exhibition has featured all three artists in such direct proximity to each other will be an interesting statement not only on each artists’ individual style, but also the unique similarities that run through all of their works.

We chatted with Rose last week, check that and a preview of the exhibition here.

Barry McGee, Ed Templeton and Raymond Pettibon are pioneers and icons of the contemporary urban art movement. Their work can be found in the collections of major museums and has been shown at large exhibitions and biennales worldwide, but all three have repeatedly emphasised their roots in youth subculture – in the worlds of skateboarding, graffiti, punk and hip-hop. They are joined by an overriding interest in portraying the underdogs, outcasts and anti-heroes of society. Curator Aaron Rose, whose urban art documentary Beautiful Losers is currently touring the world to enthusiastic reviews, is showing these three sought-after artists in the intimate atmosphere of a Berlin gallery. The direct proximity of their works not only allows us to draw interesting conclusions about each artist’s style, but also underscores their unique similarities.

BARRY McGEE / ED TEMPLETON / RAYMOND PETTIBON
Group Exhibition curated by Aaron Rose

OPENING:     9TH APRIL 2009, 7 PM
EXHIBITION: 10TH APRIL TO 30TH MAY 2009
TUESDAY TO SATURDAY, 2 PM – 6 PM

Circleculture Gallery
Gipsstrasse 11
10119 Berlin Mitte
www.circleculture-gallery.com

After the jump a preview of the upcoming exhibition.