Casa Monstruos: A Solo Exhibition by Jasser Membreno at Keystone Art Space
Curator: Grace Kim I Toy Bin Art
Opening Reception: Saturday April 12, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Keystone Art Space, 338 S. Avenue 16, Los Angeles, CA
Toy Bin Art curator Grace Kim and collaboration with Keystone Art Space is pleased to present Casa Monstruos, a solo exhibition by Los Angeles based artist and designer Jasser Membreno. This exhibition, running from April 12 to April 27, 2025, invites audiences into Membreno’s intricate world of monsters, whimsical yet deeply introspective figures that embody interdependence, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. The opening reception will take place on April 12 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM.
First encountering Membreno’s work at Keystone’s Artist Open Studio in 2024, curator Grace Kim was immediately captivated by the artist’s technical precision and the mesmerizing worlds he creates. His monsters are not creatures of darkness but rather curious beings navigating spaces of imagination and identity. Through detailed, meditative pen strokes, Membreno constructs vivid landscapes where his creatures exist beyond the need for assimilation-observing, experiencing, and questioning the world without becoming it.
Deeply influenced by 1980s cult films, animation, and mythology from both Latin American and European traditions, Membreno’s artistic process is a daily practice of self-regulation and exploration. His works, created with colored pencil, acrylic, and ballpoint pen on wood panel, canvas, and illustration board, recall the fantastical escapism of Labyrinth, The NeverEnding Story, City of Lost Children, and Pan’s Labyrinth, while also reflecting on personal themes of belonging, love, and the lack thereof.
The exhibition will also feature an immersive soundscape created in collaboration with the artist’s brother-in-law, musician and producer Jimmy Heinz (J57), who composed an original soundtrack specifically for this solo show. This auditory experience enhances the presence of Membreno’s creatures, inviting viewers to engage more intimately with his paintings through imagination.
As a first-generation child of Central American immigrants, Membreno channels themes of movement, transformation, and the search for authenticity into his work. His monsters embody the duality of chaos and control, solitude and connection, allowing viewers to engage with them on multiple levels, whether as nostalgic echoes of childhood fantasy or as mirrors reflecting their own journeys of self-discovery.
Jasser Membreno’s work has been exhibited at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, LAMAG, and other esteemed venues. He has also led programs for LA Commons and the Arts for Healing and Justice Network, furthering his commitment to community and storytelling through art.
Join us at Keystone Art Space for Casa Monstruos, an exhibition that invites you to step into an alternate world, one where monsters guide us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves.
For press inquiries and additional information, please contact:
Curator Grace Kim toybinart@gmail.com
@curatorgracekim @keystoneartla @toybinart @jassermembreno
www.toybinart.com www.keystoneartspace.com www.jassermembreno.com
