Hailing from different cultural and artistic backgrounds, artists Kevin “Spanky” Long and Nina Milner examine their diverse creative origins through a practice of visual dialogue. While both artists make occasional appearances in one another’s independent work, a collaborative component steers Long and Milner on a more abstract track as they work in response to and in support of one another’s creative instincts.

Long’s preoccupation with the animal kingdom actualizes in stream of consciousness illustrations of imagined creatures. To further their fantastical nature, Long works with brush and ink to categorize the critters that populate his unconscious. Being from another country, Milner investigates notions of vulnerability and personal identity. Working figuratively with paper in the forms of sculpture and negative paper cut outs, Milner balances her predisposed tendency for intricacy with a new found surrender to the unanticipated.

Southern California born Kevin “Spanky” Long, who’s primary career for the last decade has been that of a professional skateboarder, has been in numerous group shows, including the touring exhibition “Draw”. He is a member of the Now I Remember collective who have shown both nationally and internationally. Other artistic endeavors include graphic work for RVCA and Baker Skateboards.

Nina Milner, born and raised in South Africa, came to America almost two years ago anticipating only a month’s stay. In South Africa, she worked on kinetic resin sculpture, and architectural installation projects. En route to the US, in 2010, she erected a large scale cotton installation for a group show in a gallery on the duomo of Parma, Italy.

“Spanky and Nina: Drawings and Sculpture” by Kevin Long and Nina Milner runs January 18 through February 15, 2012, at Fuse Gallery, 93 2nd Ave (between 5th & 6th Sts, 2nd Ave stop on the F), NYC, NY. The opening reception, on Wednesday January 18th, from 7 to 10 pm, is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Fuse Gallery at 212.777.7988 or [email protected]