Long Beach based artist Alex Gardner’s “We All Exist Right Now” exhibition at the Long Beach Museum of Art, draws viewers into a faceless, familiar world of intense emotion, distress and comfort.
“The purpose of an artist is to objectively reflect the time the work is being made. And since I’m getting older, I’m hoping to provide a sense of optimism in our doom obsessed society,” Gardner said.
The gallerie’s write up on the exhibition describes Gardner’s work as “figures, devoid of facial features or defining characteristics that are effigies of the human experience” with contrasts and polarity that “spotlight the ways in which we seek the same outcome: to love, to feel connected, and to safeguard what we have built.”
Despite having shown his work around the world on three continents, Gardner, a California State University Long Beach graduate and Long Beach resident, said this show is a unique experience because it is in his own community
“It’s cool for local friends and family to see (my work) and get to enjoy the moment with me. This is the most exciting and meaningful show for sure,” Gardner said.
Caitlin Wilcox, a Long Beach resident who graduated CSULB with Gardner, is excited to see her former schoolmate displayed at LBMA, “I graduated (from CSULB) with Alex. He was always drawing and very talented. But getting to see this, it makes me very proud. Especially in Long Beach,” Wilcox said.
“Locally people have heard about it and people seem to enjoy it. Ignorance is bliss on attendance numbers though. It’s a proud moment for sure but the show doesn’t get a lot of press (at LBMA),” Gardner said.
“It’s good for the art to get outside the insulated art shows and scene to a more accessible audience and broader crowd,” Gardner said.
On his journey to gallery artist, Gardner is happy for the success he’s seen but never satisfied.
“I started making art in 2005 when I started school and I quit my day job in 2015,” Gardner said. “My ten-years-ago self would think I’m a huge success, but now it’s a feeling of never being satisfied.”
“You just have to be happy on the inside and learn to love yourself. But I’m making money. Still driving my ‘05 Element but I pay my rent and travel,” Gardner said.
Developing a style is simple, “To develop a style, add or subtract. That’s all you can do,” Gardner said.
But reaching your goals and finding what one considers success is another thing: “It’s a matter of delusional confidence and imagining where you want to end up.”