Bringing the past to present with ABV’s ‘Nostalgia’ 

Whenever I interview artists, one of the first things I ask about is their childhood. I’m always curious, as I sit across from accomplished, emerging or established artists alike, to know about their earliest forays into art. Long before they build a career out of it, young artists’ inspiration often begins with cartoons, comic books, movies and other tidbits of popular culture and media. In the group exhibition Nostalgia, ABV Gallery presents an array of those memories as expressed by more than 30 contemporary artists. 

“So much of my work is rooted in nostalgia, the visuals, characters and environments that first sparked my imagination growing up. Those early influences stay with you, whether you realize it or not,” said ABV Gallery founder and President Greg Mike. Known for his signature Larry Loudmouf character and a playful style that has graced soda cans, clothing, sculptures, walls, merch and, of course, canvases, Mike said the nostalgia theme is popular for artists and collectors alike. 

“Nostalgia celebrates that shared visual language we all carry, pulling from pop culture, memory and personal history to create contemporary artwork that feels familiar while still living in the present,” Mike continued.

Included in the exhibition are hanging works that depict a wide array of cultural throwbacks, from old school cartoons to depictions of decaying strip club signage. In the middle of the space, Florida-based artist GWAK presents an oversized Furby, a giant Y2K-era computer speaker, a floating pretend gun and a gigantic game cartridge from the classic NES Duck Hunt game. At one end, East Atlanta Comics lovingly recreated a retro living room, offering a comforting respite from the glossy surrounds of the art gallery setting. It also provided a small selection of functioning classic arcade games.

“The Nostalgia exhibition offers a glimpse into what shaped these artists early on and how those influences continue to inform their work today,” said Nate Frost, ABV Gallery director. “Elements from our past often guide creative decisions later in life, and this show invites viewers on a walk down memory lane, featuring familiar characters alongside newly imagined ones.” 

Alex Wolf, the ABV assistant gallery director, shared that she thinks the success of this theme is due to its universality and the way that everyone who views it can find themselves transported into shared experiences and collective memories. While highlighting commonalities, the varied approach to the subject matter through an array of artwork styles and mediums keeps the show feeling vibrant and fresh. 

“The participating artists range from those exploring pop iconography to those expressing memories through color, forms or narrative. It’s a joy to see artists from so many different backgrounds creating work that resonates across a wide audience. We are excited to share these new pieces with our visitors and collectors,” said Wolf.   

Nostalgia will remain on view at ABV Gallery through March 15.

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Isadora Pennington is Arts ATL’s senior editor of art + design and dance. An experienced writer and photographer with a deep love for the arts, Isadora founded the Sketchbook newsletter with Rough Draft Atlanta in 2022. She is also president of the Avondale Arts Alliance and director of the Avondale Arts Center.