Hold on Tightly, new work by Victor Reyes, is an explorative site-specific installation at San Francisco's Cassel Gallery. The concept for this body of work is the relationship between quilting and graffiti in the context of American Folk Art. Hold On Tightly is partially inspired by Reyes' contemplation of designing, the tradition of quilting and textile working, and graffiti as the newly emerging Folk Art. For this installation Reyes draws on the history of quilting and textile work, in an effort to visually marry old traditions with the new role of graffiti as a form of cultural expression.

The site-specific nature of this exhibition is informed by the location of the Cassel Gallery within a design studio. The unique exhibition space has offered Reyes the opportunity to explore these folk art inquiries in the context of an over one hundred year old textile company. Hold On Tightly has been developed specifically for Cassel Gallery as a dedication to the history of hand made fabrics.

Reyes' work is derived from outsider art practices, rooted in the California's street art movement of the past two decades. The experiences and relationships forged in this time have dictated the course of the Reyes's work, weaving a story, woven into Quilts. These new patchwork pieces explore Reyes' artistic development and perspective, formed through personal history and his immersion in graffiti culture.

The story of America is fettered with footnotes of cultural relevance that are captured by the people that have shaped this maverick country — The story of these custom Quilts is a dedication to the people that have shaped the Artwork of Victor Reyes.

Hold on Tightly opens in conjunction with the launch of Reyes' XO hat line for Goorin Bros. Hat Company. The product release reception will begin at the Goorin Haight Street Hat Shop in San Francisco from 5-8pm, where consumers will have a first time look at Reyes' new XO line. Then join us for the artist reception, Hold on Tightly, at Cassel Gallery from 8:30-11pm.

Goorin Bros. Haight Street Shop
1446 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

Cassel Gallery
1261 Howard Street
San Francisco CA, 94103