Edem
Elesh
Edem Elesh - Contemporary Artist
"I am interested in examining the miracle of everyday existence. I have led a very unique life. Born in Los Angeles and educated from an early age at English boarding schools, I have been exposed to two different cultures. This gives my work an American energy with English sensibilities. I am intrigued by the interplay born of this duality: order and chaos, old and new, the conscious and unconscious, structure and freedom. Not to mention expectation and accident."
"Process and Providence"
Under his modus operandi of “Process and Providence”, Edem Elesh continues on his artistic journey, following his own unique path of artistic expression. Through thorough mixed media experimentation, and the acknowledgement of chance, Edem harnesses “fortunate” accident, using this as a necessary building block, and on occasion, a means-to-an-end. "My goal is to create a visceral response from the viewer; I achieve this through the use of visual "triggers", representation queues that act as metaphors for the individual piece's concepts. I use tar as a primordial "earthy" medium. Application of it negates the use of brushes, demanding a real fingers/hands-on/felt approach. Use of patinas on the aluminum promote "accident" and unintentional effects and texture. The end result is, hopefully, an entirely unique approach to the practice of contemporary art."
Current themes
The focus of his current work is the discussion of "Freedom" and all that entails, namely autonomous travel, congregation, and physical interaction, versus the notion of "Safety" which has tended towards being a tool of governmental control and restriction in recent years. By reminding people of their inherent human rights, Edem hopes to persuade populaces to choose the former option, and to constantly question all forms of authoritarianism.
Edem Elesh, a native of Los Angeles, is also an internationally known, collected and respected Fine Artist.
He was given his start in Los Angeles by The Kantor Gallery, and The Don O’Melveny Gallery, followed by the divine patronage of Lydia Takeshita of L.A. Artcore, and Gloria Delson and Petra Wright of Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts.
He is currently represented by Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts, L.A. Artcore, Joanna Burke Art Consultants, LELA International Gallery, and Ann Koeffler Artist representation. He is currently a Advisory Member of the Board of Directors of L.A. Artcore, Los Angeles, and Member of the Board of Directors of IAA USA.
He has participated in innumerable shows and residencies domestically and overseas. A selected listing is included below.
His art has received notice from Channel 7’s “Eye On L.A.” (The Amazing Art of Edem Elesh); Coagula;
L.A. Municipal Art Gallery; CA 101 Exhibit; The Hollywood Reporter; The Surfer’s Journal (Volume 13.3); “Surf Story” Volume 2 by Robb Havassy; Eric Minh Swenson (Episode 2: “Stoked”, a feature focusing on Los Angeles Artist who surf); Random Lengths News (San Pedro, CA); City of Krabi, Thailand, News Media; Shanghai, China, News Media; Daka, Bangladesh, News Media; TCG Television, Italy; TNN, Thai National Television, Bangkok, Thailand, to name a few.
His art encompasses mixed media painting, sculpture, installation, drawing and music composition.
His music (seen as an integral part of his artistic expression, giving sound to vision if you will) has made it’s way into several features including Eric Minh Swenson’s Episode 2 of “Stoked” where his release “Selah” (under the moniker KinderCrowdControl®) was featured in it’s entirety. He recently was given the honor of designing and scoring the music for a presentation of the artwork/CV of Thai National Artist Dr. Kamol Tassananchalee.
His work has taken him, in the role of an invited unofficial U.S. Art Ambassador, to the furthest corners of South East Asia, and recently Europe.
Education
1991 - 1994
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California
Degree
Bachelors of Fine Arts with Distinction
Awards, notices, and residencies
Residencies
"Plein Air Experience". March 2024. Modesto, California.
Dune Art Residency. May 2022. Sarbinowo, Poland.
Almond Blossom Festival. May 2022. Modesto, California.
Rijeka Residency. April 2020. Rijeka, Croatia (postponed).
Italian Art Tour 2020. Salerno and Agerola (postponed).
3rd International Art Exchange and Workshop, Andaman Museum, Krabi, Thailand.
1st International Art Exchange and Workshop. Nakhon Sawan, Thailand.
2020 International Art Exchange, Bangkok, Thailand.
1st International Festival and Workshop, Danang, Vietnam.
14th International Festival and Workshop Poh Chang University, Bangkok, Thailand.
“Nutrimenti” Graffito. Montemurro, Italy.
5th International Art Festival and Workshop, KMUTNB, Thailand.
3rd International Art Festival and Workshop Thaksin University. Songkla, Thailand.
2nd Annual International Art Festival and Workshop, Andaman Museum. Krabi, Thailand.
13th International Festival and Workshop Poh Chang University, Bangkok, Thailand.
1st International Art Festival and Workshop, KMUTNB, Raung, Thailand.
1st International Art Festival and Workshop, Prince Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand.
2nd International Festival and Workshop, Shanghai, China.
2nd Andaman Art Festival. One of two U.S. artist invitees.
2014 Art residency University of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Print Department.
1st International Thailand Exchange Workshop 2014. Andaman Museum, Krabi, Thailand.
1st International Thailand/U.S. Exchange Workshop 2014. Thaksin University, Thailand.
2nd International Thailand/U.S. Exchange Show 2014. Naresuan University, Thailand.
1st International Festival and Workshop, Changzhou, China.
1st International Festival and Workshop, Naresuan University, Phisanulok, Thailand.
9th International Festival and Workshop, Poh-Chang, Bangkok, Thailand.
8th International Art Festival Thailand invitee. Poh-Chang, Bangkok, Thailand.
6th International Festival and Workshop, Poh-Chang, Bangkok, Thailand.
Awards & Notices
2024
Instructor "Plein Air Experience". Visit Modesto Tourist Board.
2023
Bold Journey Magazine interview.
Committee Member Association APS Scuola Del Graffito di Montemurro ETS.
Voyage L.A. Magazine Bold Voyage Series.
2022
Voyage L.A. Magazine Shoutout interview.
KinderCrowdControl interviews:
Linktree KinderCrowdControl
2021
KinderCrowdControl interviews:
Linktree KinderCrowdControl
Voyage L.A. Magazine interview and profile.
Pershing Square World Art Day outdoor exhibit participant.
PhotoSparks interview and feature.1st Chitra Santhe Art Festival review.
2020
DTLA Feature Pick of the Week- "Strain" Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts. August, 2020.
Board of Directors. IAA USA, Los Angeles, California. July 2020.
TNN, Thai National Television Feature. January 2020.
2019
Board of Directors. LA Artcore, Los Angeles, California. February 2019-February 2020.
2018
Featured artist “Nutrimenti” Graffito installation on TCG Italian Television.
2017
CA101 Catalog Feature.
Random Lengths News Featured artist for the “Dear President” Exhibition.
2016
Featured Los Angeles artist in 17th Asian Art Biennale, Daka, Bangladesh.
2015
Featured Los Angeles artist in 1st Shanghai International Art Exhibit and Workshop in China. Sole U.S. artist invitee, and one of a few interviewed by Shanghai television.
2014
Featured Los Angeles artist in Andaman Art Festival promotional video. One of two U.S. artists invited, and one of 4 interviewed. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=JkN0L3hEeMQ
Featured Los Angeles artist in Eric Minh Swenson’s 2nd Episode of “Stoked”
which focused on L.A. Artists who surf. Documenting the continuum of this tradition.
Edem's music, A.K.A. KinderCrowdControl, was used as the soundtrack to this episode. https://vimeo.com/119474605
2011-2014
Repeated Coagula Art features.
2012
Korea Daily Art & Culture Feature.
2011
Jury Award. Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.
2006
ABC Channel 7 TV News Feature. "Edem Elesh; An artist in Highland Park."
2004
The Surfer's Journal. Volume 13 #3. Art & Culture Feature. Art and words.
2003
"Eye On LA" Channel 7: "The Amazing Art of Edem Elesh"
http://edem-art.com/eye_on_la/eyeonla.htm
2002
LA Weekly Selection: Don O’Melveny Gallery, “Marilyn’s Bedroom”.
"A True Hollywood Story", Kevin Butler, West Hollywood Independent. Wed. July 17, 2002.
Selected Write-ups and Press Releases.
Permanent Collections
Visit Modesto Tourism Board. Modesto, California.
Dune Villa. Sarbinowo, Poland.
Nakhon Sawan Contemporary Art Museum, Thailand.
Danang Contemporary Art Museum, Danang, Vietnam.
“Nutrimenti” Graffito. Montemurro, Italy.
DNA Contemporary, Maratea, Italy.
King Mongkut University of Technology, N. Bangkok, Thailand.
Prince Songkla University Museum, Pattani, Thailand.
Poh Chang University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Naresuan University, Pisanulok, Thailand.
Thaksin University, Songkla, Thailand.
Andaman Museum, Krabi, Thailand.
Chiang Rai Cultural Center, Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Changzhou Art Museum, Changzhou, China.
Chun Art Museum, Shanghai, China.
Selected Exhibits
2024
The 6th International Art & Design Collaborative Exhibition 2024, Prince Songkla University, Thailand.
"Almond Blossom Festival: Photo Challenge". Visit Modesto Tourism Board. Juror.
"Almond Blossom Festival; Plein Air Experience". Visit Modesto Tourism Board. Teaching and art creation.
2023
"Offensive". Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts. 3 man show.
"Artscent" 6th Annual Exhibition. Maryland, USA.
"Now & Then". Solo Show. The Cooper Design Building, Los Angeles, California.
IADCE 2023. Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.
2022
"Vie D'Aqua". Museo d'Arte, Milan, Italy.
"Symphony". International art online exhibition. Jyoti Kriti Art Group, India.
"20th Anniversary Celebration". Chartreuse Muse Gallery, Modesto, California.
"Art For Cause". 27th Annual Online Exhibition, India.
"Metropolitan". Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts. A Group Show of core downtown Los Angeles artists.
"The Van Gogh Challenge". Chartreuse Muse Gallery, Modesto, California.
IADCE 2022. Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.
ASEDAS 2022 "Reliance" international online exhibition. Songkla University, Thailand.
19th AAmA International online exhibition.
"Dune Art. 2022". Villa Dune, Sarbinowo, Poland. May 5 - 16, 2022.
19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh.
Modesto Almond Blossom Festival invitee.
2021
"Vie D'Aqua". Italian multi-city art exhibition. Curated by Carla Viparelli and Lamberto Correggiari.
"Unmasked? A Discussion". IAA/USA online exhibition.
Art For Cause. Online International Exhibition, India.
3rd International Art & Design Collaborative Exhibition. Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.
Pershing Square World Art Day outdoor exhibition "Mnemonic Devotion I", 2021.
"Vibration". Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts. Group Show.
"Passage". Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts. Group Show.
Chitra Santhe Art Festival 2021 India.
2020
"Promise". Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts. Group Show.
LeonArt International Group Virtual Exhibition.
1st Lydia Takeshita Legacy Exhibition. LA Artcore. Group Show.
IVCE #3. International Virtual Exhibition, Faculty of Art & Design, UNS, Indonesia.
"Blush". Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts. Group Show.
"From My Window". IAA/USA Members Show.
"Spark". Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts. Group Show.
Covid/Post-Covid international 10 for 10 virtual exhibit.
IADCE International Virtual Exhibition, Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand.
Rijeka Residency. April 2020. Rijeka, Croatia (postponed).
Italian Art Tour 2020. Salerno and Agerola (postponed).
2020 International Art Exchange, Bangkok, Thailand.
1st International Art Exchange and Workshop, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand.
3rd International Art Exchange and Workshop, Andaman Museum, Krabi, Thailand.
2019
1st International Art Workshop and Exhibition, Danang Fine Arts Museum, Danang,Vietnam.
19th International Art Exchange Exhibition Invitee. National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan.
"Medley". Group show. Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts, Los Angeles.
"2 Degrees". Group show. Kathy Gallejos Gallery, Los Angeles.
Salih Karcıoğlu International Art Workshop and Exhibition Invitee. Izmir, Turkey.
Belt and Road Festival and Workshop Invitee, Hexian County, Anhui, China.
14th International Art Festival and Workshop, Poh Chang University, Bangkok, Thailand.
2018
18th Asian Art Biennale, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Group Show. Ave 50 Gallery, Highland Park, California.
Two Man Show. “Nutrimenti” Graffito Residency, Montemurro, Italy.
Two Man Show. DNA Contemporary, Maratea, Italy.
“SalonBH”. SalonBH, Los Angeles, California.
5th International Art Festival and Workshop, KMUTNB, Thailand.
3rd International Art Festival and Workshop Thaksin University. Songkla, Thailand.
2nd International Art Festival and Workshop. Andaman Museum. Krabi, Thailand.
Asian Cultural Center. Bangkok, Thailand.
13th International Art Festival and Workshop, Poh Chang University, Bangkok, Thailand.
2017
“Surf Story 2”. Iron & Resin, Ventura, California.
“Surf Story 2”. Surfing Heritage Museum, San Clemente, California.
“Surf Story 2”. Gregorio Escalante Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“Surf Story 2”. Hurley Headquarters, Costa Mesa, California.
“Glow”. GDCA Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“Cross Town Traffic”. SOLA Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“CA 101”. Group Show, Redondo Beach, California.
“Flowers”. Group Show. Neutra Institute Gallery & Museum. Los Angeles
“Septime” GDCA Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“Immigrants”. Group Show. Neutra Institute Gallery & Museum. Los Angeles.
“Dear President”. Group Show. South Bay Contemporary, San Pedro.
“Methods & Materials”. 3 man Show. LA Artcore Brewery Annex, Los Angeles.
2016
17th Asian Art Biennale, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
24th Discovery Tour, Los Angeles, California.
“Summer Art Festival” Park Avenue Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“Play” LAMAG Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“Femme Fatales” GDCA Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“Montage” GDCA Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“Essence” GDCA Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
15th International Painting Exchange Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Japan.
1st International Art Festival and Workshop, KMUTNB, Raung, Thailand.
1st International Art Festival and Workshop, Prince Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand.
Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center, Bangkok, Thailand.
2015
1st International Exhibition and Workshop. Shanghai, China
“Spring Show” LELA Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
“Spectrum” GDCA Gallery, Los Angeles, California.
2nd Andaman Art Festival Invitee (of two U.S. artists). Krabi, Thailand.
Residency Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
2014
Arroyo Arts Discovery Tour, Solo Show, Los Angeles.
“Beautiful Illusions”. Solo Show. LA Artcore, Los Angeles.
Relocation Celebration Show LELA Gallery. Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.
Japan/Korea Cosmos International Art Fair Show LELA Gallery. Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.
Ring of Fire Show LELA Gallery. Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.
Thailand/U.S. Exchange Workshop 2014. Andaman Museum, Krabi, Thailand.
Thailand/U.S. Exchange Workshop 2014. Thaksin University, Thailand.
Thailand/U.S. Exchange Show 2014. Naresuan University, Thailand.
Korea/U.S. Joint Show LELA Gallery. Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.
2013
Arroyo Arts Discovery Tour, Solo Show, Los Angeles.
"AAC Preview” Group Show, Avenue 50 Gallery, Highland Park, Los Angeles.
“Colors” Group Show, Fremont Gallery, South Pasadena, Los Angeles.
Korea/USA Group Show, Sakata Gallery, Los Angeles.
1st International Festival and Workshop, Changzhou, China.
“(The) Odd•ys•sey (continues)”. Solo show. Fremont Gallery, South Pasadena, Los Angeles.
“Odd•ys•sey”. Solo show. Fremont Gallery, South Pasadena, Los Angeles.
“Glimpses”. January Group show. Fremont Gallery, South Pasadena, Los Angeles.
1st International Festival and Workshop, Naresuan University, Phisanulok, Thailand.
9th International Festival and Workshop, Poh-Chang, Bangkok, Thailand.
2012
“Local Scenes”. Group show. Fremont Gallery, South Pasadena, Los Angeles.
20th Annual Arroyo Arts Discovery Tour, Highland Park, Los Angeles.
Touring Small Works, Fukuoka, Japan. Through 2013.
It’s Gallery, Fukuoka, Japan.
7th International Art Exhibit, Fukuoka Art Museum, Japan.
Summer Salon, “Raise The Rent/Fukuoka Tour 2012”.
Fremont Gallery, South Pasadena, CA. “Shared Views”.
Coohaus Gallery, Chelsea, New York. “Apple & Oranges”.
8th International Art Festival Thailand invitee. Rajamangala University, Thailand.
2011
L.A. Artcore Christmas Show.
Rheeway Gallery, Group Show. Christmas Benefit Auction.
Arroyo Arts 19th Annual Discovery Tour, Highland Park, CA.
Assiart Gallery, Group Show.
LAMAG, "An Exercise In Cultural Democracy". Award winner.
Shoshana Wayne Gallery, "Chain Letter".
Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, "Benefit Auction".
L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex: "Selah: an aural tradition".
2010
Arroyo Arts 18th Annual Discovery Tour, Highland Park, CA.
L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex, Group Show: Christmas Show.
Rheeway Gallery, Group Show: "Artful".
Rheeway Gallery, Group Show: Extended Showcase.
Rheeway Gallery, Group Show: 1st International/ U.S. Exchange Show.
Gloria Delson/ ArtLA, 6th St. Gallery, Downtown Artwalk-August.
Gloria Delson/ ArtLA, 6th St. Gallery, Downtown Artwalk-July.
Gloria Delson/ ArtLA, 6th St. Gallery, Downtown Artwalk-June.
L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex, Group Show: 7th Intl. Japan/ U.S. Exchange Show.
Gloria Delson/ ArtLA, 6th St. Gallery, Downtown Artwalk-May.
Gloria Delson/ ArtLA, 6th St. Gallery, Downtown Artwalk-April.
L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex, Group Show: 4th Intl. Thailand/ U.S. Exchange Show.
Gloria Delson/ ArtLA, 6th St. Gallery, Downtown Artwalk-March.
Chiang Rai Cultural Center, Chiang Rai, Thailand- 6th International Arts Festival.
Fine Arts Museum, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Thailand Cultural Center, Bangkok, Thailand.
L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex. 2 Man Show: “Corners”.
2009
“Recover” Discovery Tour. Highland Park, Los Angeles.
Ansei Gallery, Ukiha, Japan. Group Show: "Ukiha".
CA Gallery, Munakata, Japan. Group Show: "Ark".
Gallery Western, Los Angeles. Group Show: "International New Years Show".
L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex, Group Show: "Mnemonica".
2008
Arroyo Arts Tour, Highland Park, CA, "Re-Discovery".
Gallery Western, Los Angeles. Group Show: "Inaugural Invitational Show".
Takanaga Gallery, Fukuoka, Japan: "Canal City".
Asian Museum, Fukuoka, Japan: "Japan/ U.S. Joint Show".
L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex, Group Show: "A Beautiful Distance".
2007
Arroyo Arts Tour, Highland Park, CA, "Berths".
Lost Dog Gallery, Durango, CO, Group Show: "Climate Change".
Don O'Melveny Gallery, Three Man Show: "3".
L.A. Artcore Brewery, Two Man Show: "Incantations".
2006
Don O'Melveny Gallery, Group Show: "Double Overhead III".
Don O'Melveny Gallery, Solo Show: "Drowning Pool at Buddha Lounge".
2005
Don O'Melveny Gallery. Solo Show: "Road to Folly".
Salon VI. Solo Show: "Leave Taking". Atlanta, GA.
2004
Don O'Melveny Gallery. Group Show. "Essentials"..
Joanna Burke Gallery. Group Show: "The Off-Off Venice Art Show".
2003
Don O'Melveny Gallery. Solo Show: "Drowning Pool: Live!".
Salon V. Solo Show: "The So Long Salon".
Don O'Melveny Gallery. "Launch Pad". Group Show.
Salon IV. Solo Show. "Glimpses: Prints and Studies".
The Market Gallery. Group Show: "The Get Down Town Show".
Salon III. Solo Show: "riffs".
2002
Don O'Melveny Gallery. Group Show: "A Week in December".
Don O'Melveny Gallery. Group Show: "Marilyn's Bedroom".
Don O'Melveny Gallery. Solo Show: "home and away".
2001
Don O'Melveny Gallery. Group Show: "Group Show".
Salon II. Solo Show: "The Now Paintings".
2000
Salon I. Solo Show: "New Paintings".
1998-1999
The Meadows Gallery. Group Show: "Dues".
Kantor Gallery. Group Show: "The Real Thing" with Keith Haring.