Photography by Ian Cox, Steve Yennie and Yuri Hasegawa (Click Images to Enlarge)

Unconventional is a term that pops up a lot whenever Steve Lazarides is mentioned. Rather than limit himself, or the artists he represents, as strictly street, urban, or graffiti, he’s adopted the word “outsider”: an overarching term that encompasses a myriad of implications and techniques. Over the past four years, the forward-thinking gallerist has not only lived up to this term but done so with outstanding success — three thriving galleries, a slew of sold-out shows, and a growing roster of innovative artists that are literally becoming household names as I write.
Following the indelible roar generated by Banksy’s Barely Legal show in 2006 and the Outsiders show in 2008, it would have been easy to assume that everything Lazarides produced from then on would follow the same winning formula. Yet he has continued to push boundaries, take risks, unearth wickedly good talent, and make outsider art media savvy, all while snubbing art-world standards.
     The mogul’s latest endeavor is a four-month stint in an 8,000-square-foot venue in the consumer-driven heart of Beverly Hills. Opening with the gigantically talented David Choe in April, followed by Eurotrash on June 9, the plan is to unveil a new, unique exhibit each month.