By Katarina Hybenova

Completely unaware of anything, basically, last Friday I accepted an invitation to check out a Bushwick gallery that I haven’t heard about before. And damn, was it a good decision.

Youth Group Gallery is located on 407 Johnson Ave in a converted factory. You walk through a hallway that leads all the way to the back. There is a nice space with tall ceiling, and most importantly, with great art!

Youth Group Gallery is currently presenting a solo show of Michelle Matson titled Cactus Milk. Her 3D works made using paper and other materials are really impressive and engaging to look at. Particularly enjoyable is an installation of paper birds and disco balls. It reminded me of paradise with a glimpse of hell… Awesome are her figurative sculptures, and faces with brains dripping. As a creator, Michelle has great sense of humor…

Additionally, it seems like the life of Michelle Matson has been full of insane events. Last year she came to the attention of media, because she survived an ugly bicycle accident; and later she was on the second season of Bravo TV’s art reality show, “Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.” Also read the interview with her on 3rd Ward blog.