A Paradoxical Synthesis at Gallery 114 in Ybor City

A Paradoxical Synthesis features new work by Illsol, as well as a retrospective look at the two artists' work individually, which tells the story of creating collaborative work.

Reception: Thursday September 16th 5pm - 8pm

Artist Lecture: 6pm

View a PDF catalog of the work from Paradoxical Synthesis, work from this exhibit is available for purchase through Mergeculture Gallery and the artists directly.

Illsol paints a full room installation at Mergeculture Gallery.

In celebration of the spring equinox of 2021, Illsol painted a colorful floral room with geometric shapes broken up with floral elements. The purpose of this exhibit was to celebrate a new fourth Friday Block Party, called Bloom on Franklin, and provide an immersive room to celebrate new growth, and the changes in global consciousness as the world progresses from the effects of a pandemic.

Inflorescence is a full room of painted flowers murals on interior walls, to provide a beautiful space that celebrates the energy of new growth. Indigenous tribes and cultures celebrated the Equinox in many ways, but our current societal norms have disconnected us with nature. With many of us now living in the middle of cities, consumed with news, current events and our day to day hustle, we forget to take a pause and recognize that that we live on a planet floating in space that is perfectly spaced between other planetary bodies regulating gravity in perfect balance to keep us alive. Spring blooms represent natural regrowth and rebirth that coincide with the position of our planet in the solar system. This exhibit provides an amazing backdrop to become immersed in for the spring months leading up to summer.

Print Release - Inflorescence Embellished Screen Prints

Illsol released a series of screen prints to commemorate the exhibit and keep it alive long after it is painted over. You can purchase the prints on the mergeculture.com website.

The Illsol Duo helped to create a Black Lives Matter Street Mural. Artists Indie Reece, Melvin Halsey Jr., Briauna Walker, and Ron Simmons helped to curate the project.

This was a community project led by the Hillsborough County NCAAP that came together in two days, with the help of many volunteers in the city. We helped coordinate efforts between the Downtown Partnership, the City of Tampa office of Mobility, and The City of Tampa as well as the Art Programs Division.

The artists, photographers and organizations involved are linked in this article on mergeculture.com.

November 6th, 2018 we participated in a multi-city event with Stella Artois. This event featured many artists from all over the country, like 2alas in Miami.

The one-night event took place at Julian B. Lane park and celebrated the history and culture of Tampa, along with Stella Artois, a Belgian made beer that is now owned by Anheuser-Busch.

View some of the photos from the event, and we're sorry, but there are no more chalices available.

Live Painting to Benefit the Ybor Chicken Society

Vibes of the Bay is an annual local music festival organized by Tampa's Symphonic Distribution at Crowbar in Ybor City. We were invite by Symphonic and event organizer / planner Don't Stop to paint live during the festival. We painted while performers such as Trapfone, Mighty Jai, Jinx, and many others (you can listen to the artists from this festival via Symphonic's Spotify playlist). The painting took place alongside Miami artist Kelly Breez, and her piece came out amazing!

The painting was auctioned off during the festival to benefit the Ybor Chicken Society. (It turns out the event organizers actually outbid everyone else and now the piece is hanging in the Symphonic Distribution lobby.) We were excited to have completed this piece during the festival and to contribute to such a great cause.

Check out Vibes of the Bay recaps on YouTube, Symphonic's blog and Savage City Blog

Vibes of the Bay Recap by Symphonic Distribution

Mergeculture is a contemporary art gallery in Tampa Heights featuring exhibitions of local, national, and international work. The space was formerly named Illsol Space, it is a building on the property of the studio of Illsol. Community events and workshops are a part of the monthly schedule. The Illsol Space debut show titled "Get it Together" was held on Friday, March 24th, 2017 and featured the work of artists throughout the state of Florida.

We recently realized the amazingness of Detroit, thanks to Shine on St. Petes' creative block event, sponsored by Red Bull, and our homie Tes One.

During a 40 hour weekend departure we were able to catch a Mike Giant show at Interstate Gallery, check out The Belt, eat at Johnny Noodle King, visit the Z garage, and gaze up at the 184 story Shepard Fairey and How & Nosm's walls. We also checked out Murals in the Market, the Red Bull House of Art, the incredible hand painted signs of the market district, the famed Heidelburg project, and Tony was even asked to sign a shirt that Phife Dawg gave J Dilla's uncle at Dilla's Delights. We were also able to see the Belle Isle Aquarium, which has an incredible green tile ceiling, a fabulous history, and also happens to be the oldest aquarium in the US.

To put it bluntly, Detroit is a fantastic city, and you may think a city with dilapidated homes might be full of sad, not-so-friendly people, but it's the opposite. Detroit is friendly, helpful and thrilled to see you, and one lady said "It's because all of the rich assholes left." We have love for Detroit, we'll be back soon.