Artlounge Collective Debuts Justin Prough’s Fictional Reality at Mondrian Los Angeles’ Magic Box Exhibit

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Artlounge Collective presents the bold colors, surf-culture, and whimsy of Justin Prough’s The Fictional Reality of California Beach Culture at the Mondrian Los Angeles Magic Box Exhibit. The fine art exhibit centers around Malibu-style dolls and toy models of vintage cars painted in tableaus that reflect the vibes of Golden State beaches.

“The places, people and experiences are real, but what interests me most are the stories,” explains the artist. “I photograph various props, dolls and cars in real locations to make a rough photo composite. From the composite, I digitally paint the scene. I enjoy printing on wood veneers to enhance the fictionalized moment and its sunny, beach-day color palette.”

“If you were to ask how my last surf was, I’d reply, ‘pretty great,’” says Prough, “and then go into detail about one specific moment. Just like you, I romanticize the best moments—fact or fiction—till those become reality. It’s these moments of adrenaline, zen and laughter that I capture in The Fictional Reality of California Beach Culture.”

The fine art exhibit is a first for Artlounge Collective, a new experience in fine art founded by award-winning artist and entrepreneur K. Ryan Henisey. Henisey, who also helms TAG Gallery on Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile, launched Artlounge Collective in the fall of 2021.

“Justin is a true fine artist,” says Henisey, “and at the perfect stage in his artistic career for early collectors. Each edition of Justin’s work is one of a kind. The artist hand-paints and polishes each wood veneer panel before mounting and varnishing the pieces himself. There’s a depth to each piece, enhanced by the natural wood grains that gently warm the images, as if with the memory of summer days.”

Each fine art piece within the collection is printed on white-washed wood veneer and mounted to a float-display on varnished ply-board. All available editions, including the Artist Proofs on display in the Magic box are available for purchase.

Justin Prough is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, builder, surfer and fifth-generation Californian whose work reflects the struggle between sunny days, good waves and the environmental and political unrest of our times. Prough’s work is exhibited in California and is held in private collections across the US For more information on Justin Prough, please visit: Justin Prough — Artlounge Collective.

Previous artists that have exhibited at Magic Box at Mondrian Los Angeles include: Matt Smiley, Michael Turchin, and Tony Kelly, among others.

To celebrate this collection, Mondrian Los Angeles will also be offering a “Fictional Reality” penthouse package, which will include an exclusive piece from the artist when guests book the promotion on the hotel’s website. To book the “Fictional Reality Penthouse Package,” please visit the website.

A meet and greet with the artist is planned from 8:30pm-10:30pm on Thursday, February 24, at Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles overlooking the city skyline.