Paintings by Houston-born, Los Angeles-based artist Heath West. Created in a range of bold palettes, West’s architectural portraits explore unique locations reminiscent of a bygone era of design. While clearly looking to the past and rejecting the new values and ideals fostered under late capitalism, his paintings are equally intent on offering aspirational alternatives:

“Speaking in terms of architecture and urban design, accepted capitalism is synonymous with corporate modernism, a global design trend predictable for its value-engineered material palettes and economical proportions. In the building industry, the architect’s function has often been reduced to that of a contractor offering only the basest of services (construction drawings), while the clients (corporations, developers) assume the role of project designer, making all visual environments into a business opportunity. Design complacency is a dangerous pastime, where the only remedy is a vision of Utopia, a place in the future filled with hope.”

See more images below or check out his latest solo exhibition, “Utopia,” on display at Galleri Urbane until February 15th.