Roq La Rue welcomed back one of the gallery favorites John Brophy to a packed house on December 4th. These new works, entitled The Saddest Heart on the Holy Mountain, continues the artist’s commentary on the juxtaposition between religious imagery and science. The Venus of Willendorf takes flight in several pieces, including a set of three works each painted in their own element, literally. Brophy also has expanded upon his technique of painting portraiture to experiment with the full figured Waiting for the Miracle. The paint actually glows as the light source highlights a lush background and the detail within the flowing lace is truly mind boggling. Other details abound as pop culture mingles with holy iconography.
The last time we saw Stacey Rozich, she was opening the Roq la Rue’s new location in 2013. The Roq was keen to have her back, and Shine was the answer. Using a combination of watercolor and gouache, Rozich applies bright colors and humor to tackle thoughts on death and the afterlife. Spirit animals greet the recently deceased to act as guides, or to simply play some dice and eat Doritos. A handful of shadowboxed pieces included in the show take the pieces three-dimensional with several layers cut and placed to create the scenes.
The Saddest Heart on the Holy Mountain and Shine can be seen through the holiday season and closes on January 3rd.
