Historic Circus of Books Debuts “Dark Heart” WeHo Art Exhibition Featuring Seven Local Artists, Feb 14 – Mar 17, 2025

Opening Night Party Art Reception, Friday February 14, 7–10pm @ Circus of Books West Hollywood.

Featuring Artists Colton Tran of TransylVinyl, Cosmo Bertollini (Chaos.Mgmt), Miko Malo, Sumner Mormeneo, Steven Rahbany, Kal Yee, and Sküt.

With sexy beats by Bërri, and complimentary sips by OR Bar.

No RSVP Required. Good Vibes Only. 🖤

Dark Heart Art Exhibition features seven local artists at Circus of Books, West Hollywood

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – Dark Heart, a provocative new curated art show, opens February 14, 2005, at WeHo’s historic Circus of Books @circusofbooksla (📍 8230 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046). Featuring seven local gay artists, the exhibition delves into the edgier side of contemporary art, offering alt visuals of a deliciously dark flavor.

Curator and artist Sküt @inkedbyskut describes a collective vision: “We explored the tension between love and its shadows. This show is raw and unfiltered, with a dark heartbeat. I’m so happy we brought together a phenomenal crew of creators to engross you.”

Accomplished director, producer, and actor Colton Tran @coltontran presents Series Of A Broken Heart, a textured assemblage triptych made from upcycled record vinyl that examines the nuanced emotional phases of love. “When I’m not making movie magic, I create custom art from broken vinyl, through a pop-culture lens,” Tran says of his ongoing TransylVinyl @transylvinyl series. His designs showcase a deep passion for music, film, and horror.

Cosmo Bertollini @chaos.mgmt unveils an original mixed-media centerpiece and limited edition prints that explore the raw, unspoken depths of the human psyche. “Trauma, healing, and transformation collide in my work,” Bertollini explains. “Every expression, color, and brushstroke confronts the shadows we carry, inviting us to step into the unknown and emerge changed.”

Artist and designer Steven Rahbany @stevenrahbany stitches memory and human emotion into intricate, hand-sewn pillow art. “Each piece reflects both personal and collective experiences, inviting viewers to engage with the emotional depth and fragility of recollection,” Rahbany shares. Through meticulous stitchwork, he examines how memory shapes identity and interacts with broader narratives of humanity.

Sumner Mormeneo @sumnerahh, a multidisciplinary artist, presents two deeply personal compositions. “My work draws from surrealism and the haunting visual language of German Expressionism” Mormeneo says. The two paintings present viewers with a dichotomy of themes, exploring both our relationship with technology and our connection to faith, all within a sexual context.

Kal Yee @kalyee, an internationally acclaimed fashion and celebrity photographer, debuts a striking portrait of a man tangled in rope. “I aim to capture more than the physical form—the essence, energy, and impact sliding through my lens,” Yee explains. In addition to photography, he designs men’s jewelry and sculpts in various mediums.

Latin hip-hop and rap recording artist Miko Malo @mikomalomusic, channels rebellion and transformation into his paintings. “Art disrupts and reflects the world,” Miko Malo states. “I carry culture and resilience to push boundaries of perception and mysticism.” A self-described slightly-controlled hurricane, Miko Malo’s work is a visual feast of chaotic passion. His new single, “All Boys Are The Same,” coincides with the exhibition and is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

Finally, Sküt @inkedbyskut, the show’s curator, unveils a glowing neon-pink sculpture with Anti-Valentine’s satire. “My giant heart screams ‘LIAR’ and ‘LUVR’—a lowbrow mutilation of this absurd holiday.”

Dark Heart showcases a mix of graphic pop art, saturated visuals, and subversive interpretations of modern love, with each artist offering a unique perspective on passion, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The show also pays homage to West Hollywood’s rich LGBTQ+ history, challenging traditional narratives of love and identity.

The exhibition transforms Circus of Books, the legendary LGBTQ+ bookstore-turned-gallery, and is open daily from February 14 through March 17.

About the Curator:

Sküt @inkedbyskut is a West Hollywood-based artist, sculptor, and muralist whose work has been featured in Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles, The Artist Tree, The Other Art Fair by Saatchi, Aquarium of the Pacific, and Serve Robotics. Known as the original designer and co-founder of Grindr, Sküt (aka Scott Lewallen) is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ equity and environmental causes.

About the Gallery:

Circus of Books is a historic LGBTQ+ bookstore and gallery in West Hollywood that has been LGBTQ+ owned and operated since 1960. With a high-end subversive boutique atmosphere, it highlights queer artists and work that might be too racy for mainstream galleries. Discover its rich history in the Netflix original documentary Circus of Books (2019), directed by Rachel Mason.

Serve Robotics Unveils Pride Art Collab with West Hollywood Artist Sküt for “Marsha” Delivery Robot

On Friday June 14, 2024 we introduced Marsha the delivery robot at Rocco’s Weho, a 2024 Pride art collab by Serve Robotics & Artist Sküt, with West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson. Read the full announcement with media contact and photo gallery below:

Vignesh Ram of Serve Robotics, Artist Sküt, and West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson pose with Marsha the Pride delivery robot. Photo Credit Rob Flo

Serve Robotics Unveils Pride Art Collab with West Hollywood Artist Sküt for “Marsha” Delivery Robot

Serve Robotics and Artist Sküt unveil Marsha, a delivery robot art collab in its second year, featuring new original artwork to celebrate Pride, rolling out at Rocco’s Weho adjacent the iconic rainbow crosswalks in the City of West Hollywood.

"Serve Robotics is thrilled to celebrate Pride Month and LGBTQ history with the West Hollywood community. This year we're excited to deepen our collaboration with renowned graphic artist Sküt, infusing our robotic fleet with the same creativity and diversity that defines our community," said Ali Kashani, Co-Founder and CEO of Serve Robotics.

Adolfo Espinosa, owner of Rocco’s Weho adds “As a premier eatery and nightclub for the LGBTQ community and a popular tourist destination in the heart of West Hollywood's Rainbow District, Rocco's is honored to host Marsha for Pride. Thank you Serve Robotics, Sküt, and Mayor John Erickson for supporting and celebrating our city.”

“As an openly gay artist and founder in the tech world, I saw this opportunity to activate and engage through art,” explains Sküt. “I pitched the concept to Serve Robotics CEO Ali Kashani. He embraced the vision and we built an organic synergy together.”

The new 2024 artwork highlights Historic Route 66 along Santa Monica Boulevard by integrating Gilbert Baker’s original 1978 Rainbow Pride Flag eight color palette with Daniel Quasar’s 2018 “Progress Pride” BIPOC and trans flag tones, into a bold street-art inspired graphic dubbed “Weho 66.”

“Great design solves visual problems. I wanted to infuse generational Pride themes into an iconic symbol,” Sküt elaborates. “Weho 66 honors the past while embracing the present with fresh hyperlocal livery in a historical context.”

Marsha, the Serve Robotics Pride delivery robot, is named after the late Marsha P. Johnson, a queer liberation trans activist and self-identified drag queen who was prominent in the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Johnson was a courageous and inspiring advocate for LGBTQ rights and is remembered as a hero and icon.

City of West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson adds “I’m delighted that Serve Robotics continues to support our community by partnering with Weho’s very own artist Sküt to honor our rich history with an amazing new design of Marsha. It is so timely and relevant that she debuts at Rocco's next to the West Hollywood rainbow crosswalks along Historic Route 66 to share a message of Pride.”

“We honor the trailblazers who sacrificed so much for our equity, liberty, and progress,” concludes Sküt. “Love is Love, and art is vital to celebrating humanity through creativity and happiness.”

About The Artist Sküt

Sküt @inkedbyskut is a LA native featured West Hollywood artist, sculptor, and muralist. He has exhibited at Mondrian Los Angeles, Aquarium of the Pacific, Circus of Books West Hollywood, The Artist Tree, and The Other Art Fair by Saatchi. You know Sküt (aka Scott Lewallen) as original designer and Co-Founder of Grindr (the world's largest social network for gay, bi, trans, and queer people) and advocate for LGBTQ equity and environmental causes. Sküt is currently showing an immersive art installation at Circus of Books through June 2024. He created a massive 40-foot-long mural dubbed “Happiness” on display in Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles on Sunset Blvd.

About Serve Robotics

Backed by Uber and NVIDIA, Serve Robotics develops advanced, AI-powered, low-emissions sidewalk delivery robots that endeavor to make delivery sustainable and economical. Spun off from Uber in 2021 as an independent company, Serve has completed tens of thousands of deliveries for enterprise partners such as Uber Eats and 7-Eleven. Serve has scalable multi-year contracts, including a signed agreement to deploy up to 2,000 delivery robots on the Uber Eats platform across multiple U.S. markets.

For further information about Serve Robotics (Nasdaq:SERV), please visit www.serverobotics.com or follow us on social media via X (Twitter), Instagram, or LinkedIn @serverobotics.

Media Contact

Aduke Thelwell
Head of Communications & Investor Relations
Serve Robotics
aduke.thelwell@serverobotics.com
347-464-8510

Meet Marsha Event Photos by Rob Flo

Flock Upon Yonder Art Exhibition At La Luz De Jesus Gallery In Los Feliz

Flock Flamingo Pop Art Collection By Sküt Debuts In Upon Yonder, A Mystical Art Exhibition From Six Local Artists At La Luz De Jesus Gallery In Los Feliz

Artis Sküt debuts a new pop art collection Flock showcasing the flamingo as a queer icon. Sküt joins six other local Los Angeles based artists for this musical group exhibition Upon Yonder, showing through May 2024 at La Luz De Jesus Gallery In Los Feliz.

Sküt’s Flock explores a hyperpop take on popular flamingo tropes with wild exaggerated sculpture forms, intense neon phosphorescent colors, and a range of hanging wall media. The centerpiece of the collection, “Chisme” is a triptych of hand-sculpted flamingo figurines, each standing roughly 36” tall.

Sustainability is a recurring theme in Sküt’s art, with many of the materials upcycled from common household waste. Each sculpture’s core is made from aluminum cans to create something beautiful from what is typically discarded.

Flock is on display as part of Upon Yonder through the end of May 2024.

Continue To The Flock…

Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, Fresh Art + Throwback Lewks Remixed By Sküt At The Other Art Fair Los Angeles

Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, Fresh Art + Throwback Lewks Remixed by Sküt, Booth 105 At The Other Art Fair Los Angeles April 4–7, 2024, in the Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, CA.

Join us for a weekend of art, vibes, and festivities in The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA, for the The Other Art Fair Los Angeles 2024.

Sküt is at booth #105, conveniently located near the bar & food trucks.

Grab Tickets 👉🎟️ theotherartfair.com

Use promo code “ALLACCESS” for complimentary opening night entry. If that doesn’t work, use “SKUTINVITE” (limited availability) or “20SKUT” (20% off).

Sküt debuts "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" (HMTMKMKM), a new collection of art works based on four symbols (rainbows, unicorns, hearts, and skulls) ranging from sculpture to custom painted skate decks and a graphic series of archival fine art prints in vibrant colors and eclectic designs.

HMTMKMKM is a retrospective nod to some of Sküt's most popular designs, including the "You Are Not Alone" street art and a selfie wall of happy hearts derived from the "Happiness" mural he installed at Skybar, Mondrian Los Angeles, in 2023.

The centerpiece of the collection is a 3D sculpture "Unicorn Origami" which itself is an offshoot of the original 2D aluminum wall float that debuted at The Other Art Fair DTLA in 2019. Unicorn Origami, realized in three dimensions, is a pair of prototype one-of-a-kind custom painted sculptures. The smaller of the two is approximately 10x10x4", with the larger iteration stands at 20x20" tall and long. Each facet of the geometric design is hand panted with viscous acrylic in Sküt's signature 8-color kaleidoscopic palette. Creases and graphic highlights are hand drawn, with a final dual coat UV resistant clear sealant and triple thick glaze added for durability, longevity, and presentation.

Over 140 artists are exhibiting this year at The Other Art Fair Los Angeles edition. Presented by Saatchi Art, this is a perfect opportunity to get inspired, meet new people, and grab some new art for your life.

Update: April 7, 2024 – Booth photos below. Thx everyone who pulled through! I had a blast chatting with y'all. Share your selfies and tag me on IG @inkedbyskut and I’ll repost your glam shots in front of the happy heart selfie wall. xoxo Sküt

Sküt Designs Artwork For West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson

Incoming 2024 West Hollywood Mayor John M. Erickson @johnericksonwh asked me to create original #art for his and Incoming Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers @chelsealeebee installation ceremony, for Tuesday January 16, 6pm in the City of West Hollywood City Council Chambers (625 N San Vicente Blvd).

Original artwork “Soaring Joy” designed by Sküt for incoming 2024 West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson

John is a champion the arts, and has always supported me and so many creative causes in the city, so of course I said yes. I call this design “Soaring Joy” and I hope it makes you smile as we usher in a new era of leadership in this magical little creative city of Weho. 🥰🌈💯

Here’s a little art speak about my design: “A sparkling pop-inspired winged heart, this beacon of community adorns effervescent pillars of brilliant color, symbolizing the seven Core Values of the City of West Hollywood, as we soar into 2024.” 💋 xoxo Sküt

Join us Tuesday January 16 @ 6pm for the 2024 City of West Hollywood City Council Reorganization and Installation of the incoming Mayor John Erickson, Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, and Council Members Sepi Shyne, John Heilman, and Lauren Meister at the West Hollywood Council Chambers.

There will be a reception and celebration immediately following in the West Hollywood Library (625 N San Vicente Blvd).

I will have complimentary commemorative 4x6 mini #art prints of the inaugural design for everyone in attendance. Hope to see you all there! 🎨💕

xoxo

Sküt

Read more about the artwork and event on Weho Times.

Artist Sküt Unveils Happiness Mural at Skybar in Mondrian West Hollywood

Come celebrate Happiness with Sküt! 🥳🎨💕

Join us Wednesday August 9, 7-10pm for an artist reception (yeh, it’s party y’all!) in Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles with golden hour cocktails.

See you then!

xoxo Sküt

Mondrian, 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069.

Article continues below…

“Happiness” Mural by Artist Sküt at Skybar, Mondrian Los Angeles, presented by Artlounge Collective and Dunn Edwards Paints. Photo Credit Sküt @inkedbyskut

Artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) unveiled a new mural dubbed “Happiness” at Skybar in the Mondrian Los Angeles hotel on the historic Sunset Strip of West Hollywood, California. The project is presented by gallery Artlounge Collective with a lush paint palette generously donated by Dunn Edwards Paints.

“Artlounge, Mondrian, and Skybar approached me to create a design,” says Sküt. “I saw the blank wall and instantly visualized a bright, bold, graphic parade of emoji inspired happy hearts to welcome people into this historic nightlife destination.”

Mat Yuriditsky, Director of Nightlife at Skybar and the Mondrian Hotel, adds "The happy hearts mural brings our Sunset entrance to life, greeting our guests with fun and playful energy as the first touchpoint of their Skybar experience."

The mural, a series of eight enormous candy colored smiling heart faces, covers a thirty-by-ten foot wall along the entrance to Skybar, where patrons enter the venue known for popular pool parties and DJ headliner events. Sküt completed the project in four days.

“I live and breathe design,” explains Sküt. “I snapped photos of the wall, sketched ideas on my iPad, and crunched numbers to quickly scale and tackle this challenge.”

Artist Sküt stands in front of his “Happiness” Mural at Skybar, Mondrian Los Angeles, presented by Artlounge Collective and Dunn Edwards Paints. Photo Credit Sküt @inkedbyskut

The artwork incorporates eight original rainbow colors from Gilbert Baker’s LGBT Pride Flag commissioned by Harvey Milk in 1978.

“As an openly gay artist I pay homage to trailblazers who made it possible for us to thrive. It’s important to understand how we got here,” Sküt elaborates “The mural incorporates universal icons with an ambiguously subtle queer context. I felt compelled to integrate some DNA of Pride history into the design.”

The resulting street-pop-art style is heavy with graphic detail and bold lines, creating an instant opportunity for visitors to snap keepsake selfies in front of the mural. Sküt admittedly found inspiration in some of his favorite artists and pop culture icons.

Sküt adds “I love cartoons, anime, and pop art. My aesthetic is heavily influenced by Nintendo and similar zeitgeist brands. Imagine Hayao Miyazaki and Takashi Murakami colliding in a Mario Zelda fantasy world. I love those vibes.”

"As a small, local art business, Artlounge Collective prides itself on finding opportunities for our artists," states gallery founder K. Ryan Henisey. "The mural projects at Mondrian Los Angeles are a perfect example of marrying the entrepreneurial spirit of our artists with the communities they serve. Sküt brings a vibrant, contemporary style of public art to the Skybar entrance with his happy hearts while hearkening to both LGBTQ roots and West Hollywood's historic neighborhoods. We are delighted to have partnered with him previously in The Magic Box exhibits featured in the hotel lobby and look forward to enjoying his mural for the year to come."

“I want to make you smile and feel a type of way through art. When you experience this mural, I hope you find a bit of joy. That’s why it’s called Happiness, and we all need more in our lives,” concludes Sküt.

About The Artist

Sküt @inkedbyskut (Scott Lewallen) is a LA native, featured West Hollywood local artist and muralist, and member of Artlounge Collective. He has exhibited at Mondrian Los Angeles, Aquarium of the Pacific, TAG Gallery, The Other Art Fair, and V Wine Room Weho. You know Scott as original designer and Co-Founder of Grindr (the world's largest social network for gay, bi, trans, and queer people) and advocate for LGBTQ and environmental causes. Sküt teaches paint & sketch art classes in local venues like Or Bar Weho and The Studio Lounge at The Artist Tree. Sküt is currently exhibiting at Artlounge Collective, on La Brea at Beverly, in Los Angeles.

Artist Sküt Has a New Mural Installation at Skybar at The Mondrian

By Paulo Murillo for Weho Times July 23, 2023

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel - WEHO TIMES

Artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) has a new mural art installation on the Sunset Strip at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel, located at 8440 Sunset Blvd. The new art project has been commissioned by Dunn Edwards Paints in collaboration with Art Lounge Collective.

“I worked with heart lounge collective and Mondrian,” Sküt told WEHO TIMES. “I had an exhibit here last year called Skull Pop. They said, ‘We’re going to redo the Sky Bar entrance mural, do you want to paint something?” And I said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got the perfect idea.”

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel – WEHO TIMES

Sküt says the artwork is a homage to the Gilbert Baker’s original gay flag. “It’s the original eight colors from the 1978 design. I just wanted it to be these really happy, sort of anime-inspired, almost like Nintendo anime hearts.

He said he created the artwork with the Sky Bar patron in mind who would be walking through the side entrance to enter the pool area. “I want it to welcome people into the Sky Bar,” he said. “They’re sort of pop off of the wall. I wanted it to be a selfie moment because obviously, Sky Bar is a famous nightlife destination here and people love the pool and they love the bar. So as people are coming in here, they’ll be able to take selfies and remember their wonderful experience in West Hollywood.”

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel – WEHO TIMES

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel – WEHO TIMES

Work on the mural began on Tuesday, July 18th and was completed by Friday evening, “It’s a very rapid-fire mural. You know, my style is pretty graphic and because I’m a graphic designer, I know how to execute it. So it’s just a rapid, get-it-done, make-it-pop. I hope it brings some joy to people.”

Art Mural by artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel – WEHO TIMES

There will be an official unveiling on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 6:30pm – 10pm. He said he hopes members from the City Council will join on the unveiling. More details to come closer to the date.

To learn more on Artist Sküt visit: https://www.inkedbyskut.com/about

Meet Marsha by Serve Robotics featuring original Pride Month art by Sküt

On Friday June 9, 2023, we unveiled Marsha to the world. Read the full announcement below…

West Hollywood Artist Sküt and Serve Robotics Debut Pride Month Art Collab “Marsha” Delivery Robot

June 9, 2023, West Hollywood, CA

Artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) and Serve Robotics debut Marsha, a new delivery robot art collab, rolling out at Pink Dot to the streets of West Hollywood featuring original artwork to celebrate Pride Month.

"We're honored to partner with Sküt for our first artist collaboration, honoring LGBTQ history for Pride Month,” says Ali Kashani, Co-Founder and CEO of Serve Robotics. “West Hollywood has been our community since we started, and at Serve we recognize its diversity as a strength. This is one small way we can amplify that story.”

The Artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) poses with his art collab “Marsha” Pride delivery robot by Serve Robotics at Pink Dot debut in West Hollywood California for Pride Month 2023. Photograph by Mike Pingel for Weho Times.

Sol Yamini, owner of Pink Dot on the Sunset Strip adds “As one of the founding companies to utilize Serve, we are excited and honored to host this new Pride delivery robot Marsha in the innovative and creative city of West Hollywood.”

“I see these robots all over Weho,” explains Sküt. “So I pitched a Pride art collab to Serve. Their team loved the concept and we ran with it.”

The artwork merges artist Gilbert Baker’s original 1978 eight-color Rainbow Pride Flag with the modern 2018 “Progress Pride” flag by Daniel Quasar highlighting Trans and POC communities.

“As a designer I love to solve problems visually. I looked at historical pride flag iterations, and wanted to upgrade those colors for a variety of modern mediums,” Sküt elaborates “I crafted this harmonious spectrum into a pop-art inspired graphic illustration to honor the past and embrace the present with a fresh 13-color ‘Pride Fusion’ design.”

The artist Sküt (Scott Lewallen) @inkedbyskut poses with West Hollywood Mayor pro tem John Erickson, Pink Dot owner Sol Yamini, Serve Robotics VP Vignesh Ganapathy, and Weho Council Member Chelsea Beyers at the unveiling of “Marsha” Pride Month delivery robot art collab design by Sküt. Photograph by Mike Pingel for Weho Times.

Marsha, the Serve Robotics Pride delivery robot, is named after the late Marsha P. Johnson, a queer liberation trans activist and self-identified drag queen who was prominent in the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Johnson was a courageous and inspiring advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and is remembered as a hero and icon.

City of West Hollywood Mayor pro tempore John Erickson adds “I’m so excited to see Serve and Pink Dot partnering with WeHo’s very own Sküt to honor our history’s past with this amazing design of Marsha. I look forward to seeing her prideful colors all around West Hollywood.”

“We pay homage to trailblazers who sacrificed so much for us to champion our rights, liberties, and ongoing progress today,” concludes Sküt. “Love is Love, and art is vital to celebrating humanity through creativity and happiness.”

About The Artist

Sküt @inkedbyskut (Scott Lewallen) is a LA native, featured West Hollywood local artist and muralist, and member of Artlounge Collective. He has exhibited at Mondrian Los Angeles, Aquarium of the Pacific, The Artist Tree, TAG Gallery, The Other Art Fair, and V Wine Room Weho. You know Scott as original designer and Co-Founder of Grindr (the world's largest social network for gay, bi, trans, and queer people) and advocate for LGBTQ and environmental causes. Sküt teaches paint & sketch art classes in local venues like Or Bar Weho and The Studio Lounge at The Artist Tree. New art by Sküt is currently showing at Artlounge, on La Brea at Beverly.

Press

Weho Times “Serve Robotics Debuts ‘Marsha’ Pride Delivery Robot by WeHo Artist Sküt”

WehoVille “Delivery robot Marsha is blazing trails for LGBTQIA+ community”

Photos by Photographer Mike Pingel for Weho Times

Shoutout LA Interview: Meet Sküt (Scott Lewallen) | Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur

Original article via Shoutout LA: LOCAL STORIES Meet Sküt (Scott Lewallen) | Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur

Every day we ask our contributors and interviewees questions designed to spark meaningful conversations.  We ask questions about life, work, love, parenting, finances, and more. Questions like how you think about risk-taking, work-life balance, or online dating. We ask entrepreneurs why they started their business and we ask artists what their work is inspired by.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sküt (Scott Lewallen) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Artist Sküt @inkedbyskut (Scott Lewallen) stands in front of his mural creation at Micky’s West Hollywood

Artist Sküt @inkedbyskut (Scott Lewallen) stands in front of his mural creation at Micky’s West Hollywood

Hi Sküt, how does your business help the community?

I made a conscious decision in my art career to benefit charitable causes and organizations that I feel strongly about. The best way to make an impact is to help others, and for me that’s through my voice as an artist. I’ve contributed to the Los Angeles LGBT Center via proceeds generated from a collection of Pride-themed rainbow art, in and around West Hollywood. During my solo and curated animal-themed exhibitions for Earth Day 2021, I was able to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and Aquarium of the Pacific. When I create a new piece I ask myself “who can this help?” and the rest flows naturally.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I enjoy experimenting with new mediums that I’ve never used, or that I know I’m uncomfortable handling. I approach art as a problem solving experience, using technology and design to achieve my goal. When I have a vision, I figure out what steps to take and what materials to try, to bring that idea to life. I love learning about what I don’t know.

I’m stoked about using experiments from the past year to make new art. During COVID I was in my studio daily, playing with concepts, making a mess, figuring out how to physically manifest ideas. I played with pigment, texture, and coating. You see a lot of color play in my recent works.

My solo exhibition Deep, April 2021, celebrated ocean animals with an immersive installation. I used canvas, paint, sculpture, sound, and light to exploit art through technology. I played with reciprocal mirrors to show endangered creatures appearing and dissolving into your reflection. I built sculptures with up-cycled materials (cans, leftover Ikea bits, plastic scraps) and covered them in reactive paints to blur the line between natural and surreal. Everything was saturated.

Professionally, I think my keys to success are persistence and innovation. I used to be terrified of mistakes. Life taught me the value of fault; now I embrace the unfamiliar and welcome new experiences to find alternative paths forward. I love to fail because I learn from it. I build, grow, and evolve from that flashpoint.

As for my story, it’s still being written. I’m really happy with what I’ve accomplished so far. Launching Grindr was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m proud of designing what I think fundamentally changed human interaction, in LGBT microcosms and global communication at large. I use that experience in my artistic endeavors.

Doing good and being kind, for me, are eternal rewards. I am most happy and fulfilled when I see tangible effects and direct impacts from my projects. My adventure continues through creation, and I want to help underserved and marginalized groups through art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Oh, you’ve never been to LA? I’m a native. We do the beach, a lot. Redondo, Hermosa, Huntington, Laguna, Malibu, et al. We’ll hit a few of those, and yup, you have to dip in the ocean.

Then we hike Griffith Park. It’s huge, we’ll be there for hours, wandering through a maze of obvious and obscure paths, looking for rattlesnakes, and eventually make it to the Hollywood sign for your selfie moment.

We spend a day at Long Beach at Aquarium of the Pacific. It’s one of my happy places; they do a phenomenal job of educating people on ocean conservation.

We’ll hop LA Metro subway from Hollywood to Downtown and explore The Broad contemporary art museum, along with galleries and local watering holes.

A night out in West Hollywood is mandatory, stuffing our faces with bites from neighborhood restaurants, ending up at the gay bars. It’s the best night life in Los Angeles, and is the ultimate LGBT destination.

Finally, we dine at Terrana, a cliffside resort in my hometown, Rancho Palos Verdes. It’s built on the former site of Marineland, an oceanarium that closed in 1987. My dad took me there as a kid. We spent hours at home recreating whales, sharks, and other sea creatures out of construction paper on the floor. It sparked my artistic passion, and thirst for nature, and I dedicated my recent art show to its legacy. My mom encouraged me to create daily and nurtured my ability. So I feel very fortunate that my love letter to Los Angeles began at home.

Your LA tour concludes with a glass of wine in the company of my folks, as we sit on the porch and watch the sunset. Sound good?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One place, and three people deserve credit.

I graduated from the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California. That education, time, and life experience were keys to my career, and I am grateful to have a strong connection with my alma mater. Fight On!

Big shout to my best friend and confidante Dex Franco @dexfranco. We make stuff together. He’s an insanely talented actor and writer with an endless flow of charisma, creativity, and inspiration. He shines in front of, and behind, the camera. We’re constantly pushing each other to create new things and test our limits. You’ll see some of his works soon.

My colleague K Ryan Henisey @kyryanhenisey led me into the art world. I met him at WeHo in Paso, an exchange between City of West Hollywood Arts Division and Paso Robles. Ryan asked me to join TAG Gallery Los Angeles. I applied, became Vice President, and now we run the cooperative together with forty incredible member artists showing fine art with unique monthly events.

Finally, Stefano Rosso @gatorosso is a bold entrepreneur, and my personal cheerleader. I met him in 2009 shortly after I launched Grindr, and asked him to collaborate at LA Pride. He said yes and we’ve been friends ever since. Most recently he asked me to design and paint a 30-foot-tall mural at Micky’s West Hollywood to celebrate their grand reopening. I was able to donate leftover budget funds to benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Website: https://inkedbyskut.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/inkedbyskut

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/inkedbyskut/

Twitter: https://twitter.com//inkedbyskut

Facebook: https://facebook.com/inkedbyskut

Image Credits
Dex Franco, Monique Ramirez, Kevin Winston (Digital LA)

Nominate Someone: Shoutout LA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Deep by Sküt at TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, April 13–May 8, 2021

Deep, my SKÜT labor of love for the better part of a year, is alive and on display at TAG Gallery Los Angeles, April 13–May 8, 2021.

I’m a #nature nerd. I love animals. The #ocean is a driving presence in my life force. From that day my dad took me to Marineland of the Pacific, I was hooked on everything maritime and aquatic.

I created #Deep as a multidimensional #animal art #exhibition to champion those salty waters and the creatures I adore.

Sea Dragon, Dolphin, Mako, Orca, Trigger, Emperor, Clown, Jelly, Lag, Vaquita, Tiger, and Bubbles the Pilot Whale come together in an immersive celebration of our oceans.

They’re all here. They make me happy. I hope you smile when you see them.

If you’re in Southern California I invite you to visit the #gallery to enjoy #art and reflect on your role in helping our great planet. We’re open Tue-Sat, 11a-5p, adjacent #LACMA & La Brea Tar Pits.

If you’re beyond, please dive into this online experience and interact virtually.

I’d love to hear from you.

“The #sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Cousteau

Proceeds from this show benefit Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Aquarium of the Pacific, and Sea Shepherd Global.

taggallery.net/skut-deep

#EarthDay

#BlackLivesMatter Street Cards

Printed some 4x6”  #BlackLivesMatter postcards.

Carry these to post around the neighborhood, and share in strategic places.

Designed with Helvetica Now from Monotype, printed using Next Day Flyers, and a vector QR code.

QR code links to Twitter search for #BlackLivesMatter, so you can create the conversation.

Want to remix? Download the files (Illustrator-editable vector PDF file):

#BlackLivesMatter 4x6 Postcard (BLACK)

#BlackLivesMatter 4x6 Postcard (WHITE)

"My Youth" Call For Queer Art TAG Gallery

This open call for Queer art “My Youth” turned me on to TAG Gallery in late 2019. K Ryan Henisey & Eugene Huffman opened the doors to art that triggered memories from youth. I obliged.

SHEFAB + HEMASC are limited edition pieces, currently printed on 24x24” aluminum float, that hyperbolize icons from my youth. Rainbow Brite, He-Man, ThunderCats, and She-Ra

Think: Swift Wind + Starlite + On-X, with a heavy load of gay-NOW.

SKÜT @inkedbyskut HEMASC SHEFAB TAG Gallery My Youth Queer Art.jpg

Curators K Ryan Henisey and Eugene Huffman present a multi-artist showcase with My Youth. The exhibition, open to artists who identify as LGBTQIA, focuses on growing up queer.

TAG-Gallery-My-Youth-Queer-Art-SKÜT-@inkedbyskut-Scott-Lewallen.jpg

“One of the goals of this show was to amplify Queer artists and expression” says Henisey. “Our focus on each person’s experience allows us to highlight a variety of stories and voices. And what we found is a beautiful, oftentimes haunted but equally triumphant, expression of each artist’s youth.”

Read More…

The Other Art Fair

SKÜT (aka Scott Lewallen) at The Other Art Fair, Downtown Los Angeles

I'm humbled and thrilled by the turnout we had this weekend at The Other Art Fair by Saatchi, Magic Box at The Reef, Downtown Los Angeles.

Huge hugs to everyone who came to experience SKÜT art, in the halo of so many other talented artists.

My heart is full and happy. THANK YOU!

PS. My space was painted Dragon Fruit pink.

  • R:204G:97B:127

  • Hex Value:#cc617f

  • LRV:23

😊🏳️‍🌈🦄❤️🧡💛💚💙💜