AARON ROSE

Aaron Rose was born in Portland, Oregon in 1969 and lives and works in Los Angeles. For more than three decades he has shaped independent art and visual culture, first through the influential Alleged Gallery in New York and later through projects including Beautiful Losers and Art in the Streets at MOCA Los Angeles.

Rose sees the world as a language of symbols. In his work, familiar signs, hand painted lettering and found images are taken out of their usual context and given new meanings. He often works on discarded objects rather than conventional canvases, drawn to the histories and different perspectives they already contain. The results are playful and direct but also deeply personal, moving between humour, vulnerability and a search for connection.

Rose has collaborated with Circle Culture since 2003. The relationship grew from a shared connection to the art, music and subcultures that continue to inform his work today.