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Shlome J. Hayun The Fallen Legends Series Photo: Benjamin Busch
The genuine enthusiasm artist Shlome J. Hayun shows his art with is contagious. On this clear Thursday night Hollywood was on fire as if it was spring break for adults. Sunset Blvd was grid locked with honking Ubers and cell gazed pedestrians. Through all of the hustle and bustle you see beautiful color peeking thru the line of concert goers.
Artist Shlome J. Hayun cordially invited the press and media to his soft opening of Fallen Angels Series at the Hollywood Palladium and I was the lucky writer to cover the story.
His art is to be featured in the windows along the Hollywood Palladium’s front that goes all the way to El Centro Street. This is a fantastic way to get a lot of people to see your art. Just waiting in que, the night lifers were privy to his pop art paintings. These paintings 60×48 acrylic on canvas with bold colors and layers of mediums feature the faces of all our favorite music gods that have passed.
This series, Fallen Legends is inspired by music legends that have graced the stage of the Hollywood Palladium. Respectively the first painting I saw was of the man himself, Ol’ blue eyes aka Frank Sinatra. The Hollywood Palladium opened in 1940 with Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra with special guest Frank Sinatra. Sadly through time, that opening headline has been shortened to just Frank Sinatra. Hayun’s exhibit also featured paintings of rock stars that have not performed at the Palladium.
Amy Winehouse by Shlome J. Hayun Photo: Benjamin Busch
Hayun’s approach to the art world is a fearless rebels angle. Nowhere in sight is his resume with lengthy articles of his formal education, art schools, or residencies. Shlome does not share his description of his art, he lists the subjects history instead. Shlome is a self taught artist that makes no apologies. In an art world that demands its specific lineage, Shlome speaks of his contemporaries when asked who his favorite artists are.
After seeing the exhibit, I was invited to Hayun’s studio. A huge space filled with his art of mostly abstract, pop art, and his Hamsa’s. Shlome was engaging, confidant and relaxed when we spoke. He shared with me that his inspiration started at home at an early age thru his mother, family, and surroundings. Music and appreciation for everything around him was a huge part of his direction.
Shlome grew up in the San Fernando Valley, one of L.A.’s havens for creativity. Surely a studio visit doesn’t allow for intimate conversations, but seeing the drum set, the spirituality, and eclectic collections tell you something about a person. Looking at Hayun’s art does not make you think of graffiti, but speaking with him will. His music background and hip hop influence speaks loud and clear.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bupw5qxH9aj/
With the history of art as a business being one of formalities, Hayun is a fresh new generation with a new approach. The very few graffiti artist’s that have broken ground have helped pave the way for this genre. But how big of an impact did graffiti artists make, and with whom? Is this genre of self taught artists here to stay? Shlome J Hayun is a perfect subject to pay attention to for the answer.
Shlome J Hayun – The Fallen Legends Series is on exhibit now until March 15, 2019
www.shlomejhayun.com
