Downey Jr., LiLo and Swift Represent Celebrity Past, Present and Future in LA Exhibit

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Street Artist XVALA, famous for invading the residential trash of celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher and Justin Bieber and tech icons Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, has set his sights on Robert Downey Jr., Lindsay Lohan and Taylor Swift for his latest exhibit "The Tonight Show with Celebrity Chimp" at LAB ART Gallery in Los Angeles, announces Cory Allen Contemporary Art (CACA).

To represent the past, present and future of celebrity arcs based on their individual confrontation with hardship in the spotlight, XVALA has invaded the residential trash of celebrities Robert Downey Jr., Lindsay Lohan and Taylor Swift for his latest series of paintings.

A limited edition series of paintings imbued with reflecting powder created from broken down glass that was collected and mixed from all three celebrity's residential trash comprise the exhibit, which features a work of L.A. street art by the artist, appropriated by NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno for use as the backdrop for musical guests.

"The appropriated image is the artist's signature piece," said Cory Allen about the chimpanzee head image with google-eyes and heart-shaped smeared lipstick, called Celebrity Chimp.  "The artist is re-appropriating it from 'The Tonight Show.'"

The paintings are stamped with the official "Tonight Show" logo.

Artist dumpster dives Hollywood to make a statement:

"Celebrities' personal lives become talk show related material to shape ratings - my work represents celebrity downfall and how a star can rise again," said XVALA.  "Lindsay Lohan could learn from Robert Downey Jr. and Taylor Swift could learn from Lohan."

"A celebrity's personal life has become more entertaining than their professional work," said Cory Allen.  "Hopefully the next generation will value art over entertainment."

The artist is dedicating his "Tonight Show" to programmer and internet activist, Aaron Swartz, in a heart-felt response to his passing.  "Aaron's legacy has had a huge influence on my art," said XVALA. 

"The Tonight Show with Celebrity Chimp" will debut at the world's largest street art gallery, LAB ART Gallery, on January 26, 2013 at 7 p.m., located at 217 S. La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles, Calif.  For more info, contact Cory Allen at 323-393-3115 or visit www.LabArtGallery.com.

* Note: No celebrity endorsement claimed or implied, nor endorsement or licensing of/by "The Tonight Show" or NBC claimed or implied.

* PHOTO 72dpi: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/13-0117-tonightchimp_72dpi.jpg

* PHOTO Caption: "The Tonight Show with Celebrity Chimp" by XVALA.

This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE Cory Allen Contemporary Art