by Ralph Doyle
Lance Smith earned recognition in the surf punk art world in the early 2000s with his surfboard airbrushings of sea monsters holding Budweiser cans.
During this period he also designed STDs’ black, skull-shaped logo, formed from the letters in the punk band’s name. The logo has become as synonymous with Hermosa punk music as Black Flag’s four black bars logo, designed by Raymond Pettibone.
Smith’s more recent art, which he calls “Color in Chaos,” is still rooted in punk, but also draws on abstractionism and mixed media.
His “Virus” is a collage whose parts include a sperm whale, the R10 Buoy, a tribute to the graffiti artist Choco, and his self portrait watching in horror.
“Virus,” along with 20 other paintings and dioramas, from his “Color in Chaos” series will be on exhibit at Easy Reader through April. One of his early surfboard airbrushings will also be on exhibit.
“I like creatures and animals and things that go bump in the night,” Smith said.
The opening reception is Friday, March 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. Easy Reader is located at 67 14th Street, Hermosa Beach.
For more information visit murfdasurf.com. ER
What are the days and times to view the exhibit?