Art Focus « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Art Focus

Art Focus: Mitch Griffiths

Posted by sleepboy, August 4, 2013

In this newest installment of our Art Focus, we introduce the work of British artist Mitch Griffiths. His style is inspired by Old Master paintings, but he cleverly subverts what he has learned to depict issues that affect modern society. The composition, light, and poses that draw their influence from his studies have now been intermingled with powerful imagery that relates to concerns of the 21st century. For those interested in seeing his work in person, he is represented by the Halcyon Gallery in London where […]

Art Focus: Sonia Rentsch

Posted by sleepboy, June 29, 2013

Sonia Rentsch is an artist and designer based in Melbourne who worked recently on a project that caught our eye. Harm Less is a series of photos she arranged for the January Biannual that featured plant life arranged to resemble various weapons. The dried plant life stills were meant to “ponder the themes of Life, Death, Ritual and Evolution.” Check out more images below… Via Highsnobiety.

Art Focus: Robert Burden

Posted by sleepboy, June 15, 2013

Robert Burden’s artwork centers around his love for childhood toys, heroes, and icons & is the subject of our latest Art Focus feature. His nostalgic representations of these action figures from his past are set against backgrounds and patterns taken from fabric, rug, or wallpaper from his home while growing up. This elevation of these mass produced items with a reverence and almost talismanic obsession is an ironic metaphor for the consumer addiction seen today. The series of work seen here was included in his […]

Art Focus: Joel Rea

Posted by sleepboy, May 3, 2013

We are ready to introduce another artist to you via our Art Focus feature – Joel Rea. The imagery of the Australia-based painter typically includes characters wrestling with forces of nature, often with a surreal effect. Those of you in Sydney can check out his work in person as one of his portraits has been selected for Salon des Refusés with the exhibition running through May 19th at the S.H. Ervin Gallery (National Trust Centre). Otherwise, you can follow his facebook fanpage here or check […]

Art Focus: Yao Lu

Posted by sleepboy, March 18, 2013

Our latest Art Focus article introduces the work of Chinese photographer Yao Lu. In particular, his latest series of digitally modified photographs entitled New Landscapes caught our eye – featuring transformed piles of garbage covered in green protective netting tricking the eye (with the placement of additional items) to see traditional Chinese landscape paintings. The work makes a powerful political statement as to the cost of the rapid urbanization of China juxtaposed against the beautiful scenery that has been lost forever because of said modern development. […]

Art Focus: Patricia Piccinini

Posted by sleepboy, March 1, 2013

Our eyes were recently drawn to the work of Patricia Piccinini with a sculpture that is currently part of a group show (How To Tell The Future From The Past) at Haunch of Venison New York. Entitled The Carrier, the hyper-realistic piece from the multidisciplinary artist makes the viewer almost think it is real if not for the fantastical creature that is holding an elderly woman on its back. Take a look at more detailed photos below… Via Designboom. Discuss Patricia Piccinini here.

Art Focus: Jane Edden

Posted by sleepboy, January 25, 2013

Just like artists we have covered in the past like Polly Morgan and Kate Mccgwire, English artist Jane Edden utilizes birds for her materials and medium of choice in her work. This recent series collectively entitled Ornithomorph (on view at Flowers Gallery through January 26th) consists miniature jackets created beautifully from hundreds of tiny feathers. The small sculptural pieces are Edden’s way of “our attitudes to nature and the intention behind our consumption of natural materials.” Take a look at more examples below… Via Designboom.

Art Focus: Shintaro Ohata

Posted by sleepboy, January 18, 2013

For our newest Art Focus feature, we will be introducing the work of Shintaro Ohata, currently represented by Yukari Art in Japan. As both a painter and sculptor, he combines his acrylic renderings with polystyrene based sculptures into one piece in novel ways. These every day scenes of people going about their business from the Japanese artist are accented by the three-dimensional elements that are painted to look like the “backdrop” piece itself. Take a look at more examples of the work below… Tipped off by Graffart.

Art Focus: J.C. Leyendecker

Posted by sleepboy, January 1, 2013

For the new years holiday, we decided to explore the work of the great American artist J.C. Leyendecker. Known in the early 20th century as one of the pre-eminent illustrators, he was a predecessor and idol of the great Norman Rockwell. Perhaps one of his most famous series of works, and the reason why we are featuring him today, is his covers for the The Saturday Evening Post where he popularized his iconic New Year’s Baby (the last from him being in 1943). Enjoy more examples of the traditional […]

Basel Week Miami ’12 / Art Focus: Jorge Santos

Posted by sleepboy, December 27, 2012

As you saw from our coverage and cover image for CONTEXT Art Miami, we were quite taken by an artist new to AM – Jorge Santos. Showing with 101/Exhibit as well as Evan Lurie Gallery, the American painter takes inspiration from the political turmoil and struggles of his formative years in Angola and Portugal to create surreal and brooding scenes, a seemingly frozen snapshot in some fantastic story. With his works overflowing with intriguing characters and details, we found ourselves continually discovering new things as […]