Oh me so hungry...

After trying every dish in the menu at Joey's, which by the way, it's still my favorite restaurant in Miami; it was time to venture out in search of other tasty venues in the neighborhood. Wishing for a cafeteria with authentic puerto rican food, I drove around the streets of Wynwood in what seemed like an attainable goal, considering the area's demographics. 

Small cafeterias are common in Miami's industrial areas. Been to many great ones in Hialeah, where for a few dollars a man can indulge and exceed his necessary caloric intake. And although I did find a place to satisfy my addiction to rice, there were no gandules in this menu. This elusive hole in the wall, with authentic dishes and affordable prices that locals know about, and this outsider has just discovered, is Korean. A perfect find, I knew immediately after seeing it's untranslated menu hanging on the wall and the small television set blaring a Korean soap opera; but most importantly, the evident approval of its mostly Korean clientele. 

Unfamiliar with these exotic dishes I continue to try the recommendations of Kim, the restaurant's only server. All the dishes are amazing, but so far the Bibim Bab is my favorite. Wish I could tell you where it is, but Im afraid that if it became too popular, it could loose its charm. Just kidding, Choice Cafe is located on the corner of 28 street and NW 3 avenue. Jal meokkesseumnida.

Choice Cafe

Kim

Bibim Bab

One panel. Two panels. Gone!

During Art Basel week 2009, Shepard Fairey created a magnificent one block wide mural on wood panels facing NW 2nd avenue for Country Club Gallery. After it's completion, my route to work slightly changed so that I could look at this mural on my commute to the gallery. Two blocks down, the now famous Wynwood Walls. Slowly but surely Wynwood is becoming a beautiful urban landscape, graced by the world's best artists and their murals. 

Shepard's piece was incredible. Beautifully big and perfectly designed with enough visual impact for a viewer driving by at 30mph and detailed enough for those who stopped. Fairey is one of my favorite artists, so many times my coffee breaks became strolls that went from his piece at Wynwood Walls to the grassy area in front of the Country Club mural. In my opinion the Country Club Gallery sponsored mural was the strongest piece Shepard Fairey created during his visit to Miami last year. It was so amazing to look at, until what I feared would be inevitable in a post Art Basel Wynwood happened. One day a panel was missing. A few days later, another one. Then another one, and in less than three weeks the rest was gone. 

For a while I felt like dropping nukes, but now just wonder where those panels are; as if scheduling a visit to their captors den would be a possibility. Wonder if it was a single thief in repeated attacks or was it multiple unrelated takers? Curious if the panels are together or in multiple living rooms across the city. Those curiosities most likely will never be answered, all I know is that they are not on my way to work anymore.

Shepard Fairey and his mural on NW 2nd Avenue.

Power to the People!

Gallery and business owners from Wynwood's NW 2nd avenue corridor gathered yesterday at Joey's Restaurant in an attempt to come up with new ways to better promote the area. For quite some time Harold Golen has been trying to rally up other gallery owners to implement ideas that would bring more people to our district. Although the turnout was low, great ideas were suggested and recorded. Rumors of a Wynwood radio station by a group of MTV executives were also discussed and the creation of an active WADA sub committee suggested. But the one thing everyone agreed on... more owners need to get involved, so get in touch.

Artistic theories...

Butter Gallery artist Jahmal Williams and indie film maker Josh Stewart. Two artists, entrepreneurs and long time friends that enjoy sharing notes.  The three films Stewart independently produced under the name Static are only one testament of his editorial achievements. At his current project, the popular website Theories of Atlantis, content is king. So when these two creative forces coincided in Miami during Jahmal Williams exhibit at the Butter Gallery and Stewart's visit to the Magic City while working with MIA for their upcoming film; the stellar alignment was inevitable. Butter Gallery would like to thank Josh Stewart for bringing his camera along with his talent for the proper documentation of Jahmal Williams solo exhibit, Inside Out. We can't wait to see the footage...

Jahmal Williams :: Inside Out

Butter Gallery proudly presents artist Jahmal Williams in a solo exhibit titled Inside Out. Following his retrospective exhibit at FTC in Tokyo this new solo show also features recent works by the artist. 

Contemporary ideas merge with his traditional approach to painting through a body of work that seeks the high esthetic standards of his persona. With the use of bold tittles and brush strokes, Inside Out explores the intimate details of the artist's constant quest for freedom in a modern urban setting. His mastery of abstract expressionism is exposed in the powerful compositions of his work on canvas and three dimensional wooden sculptures.  With a section of the exhibit dedicated to a retrospective of the artist's work, Inside Out, will also feature sketches and studies by the artist dating back to the last decade.

Wooden Sculptures and study on canvas. 2009.

Opening Night

 

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Selego with artist Jahmal Williams.

Musica 2001; Mindfulness 2003; Enamel and mixed media on wooden sculptures.

Left :: Compassion (36"x24")  Right :: Love Supreme (92"x48")

Left :: Dreaming Awake (84"x46")  Right :: The Observer (40"x30")

Jahmal Williams

The finishing touches...

Details may take forever, but attention to detail is what will immortalize his art and everything he touches. Following his solo show at FTC in Tokyo, Jahmal Williams gets ready for the Butter Gallery exhibit which opens on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 6:00 pm. 

More Rick Falcon on NBC Miami

Nice photo essay of artist Rick Falcon on the NBC website.