Munzón Gallery is pleased to present Wage Worker, a solo exhibition by Baby Mueller. The exhibition opens with a reception on Saturday March 9th from 6-9pm and will remain on view through Saturday April 6, 2024.
Wage Worker is Baby Mueller’s commentary on how economics, pop culture marketing, and time scarcity have all pushed against each other to shape a persons life experiences. It is a collection of oil paintings from direct observation of fast and convenience foods.
The show examines the societal effects of the fast food industry, which grew out of a necessity to feed a rapidly urbanizing society. This exploration is of special importance to Baby, because many of the most successful global chain restaurants grew out from Southern California where Baby lives. Fast food makes up around 45% of all restaurants in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Through their success, food corporations have globalized culture and changed or replaced traditions. Because of their success they can now market to feelings like nostalgia and better times. Baby Mueller asks: “Who owns the new culture, is it the people or the corporations? Can Grimace be more than a mascot for milkshakes?”
Baby Mueller (b. 1994 in Long Beach, CA) received their BFA from CSULB in 2017. They have participated in group shows both locally and internationally. They were selected as a finalist for Volume 18 of Friend of the Artist and will be part of that upcoming publication.
