We at the Paolo Mejia Fine Art and Design and Jack London Square Realty will be hosting “Urban Cognizance”, a duet art show showcasing paintings by Michael Sacramento and Justin Pastores, at our annex facility in Oakland.

Urban Cognizance is about creative awareness of Justin Pastores and Michael Sacramento’s environment. Justin observes and paints with a social perspective regarding immigrants and their response to living in a different culture. Michael acts as a recorder and interpreter of his immediate day to day surroundings. Being that they both live in the same environment in the San Francisco Bay Area, they seemingly share the same aesthetic. However, the effect of their artwork is nuanced by their subject matter and delivery. Justin tends to focus on people and with the use of a more figurative painterly style, while Michael focuses on the collage of surfaces and images. Together, Justin and Michael’s exhibition aims to provide viewers a new lens in which to see their world and inspire them to look at their surroundings with a keener eye.