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Category Archives: Contemporary Art

Sketchbook: James Jean

Fans of James Jean (interviewed) may remember his recent work with Linkin Park on the cover of their new album (covered). While wokring on the concepts and fleshing out the imagery for that project, the gifted artist filled up one of his sketchbooks with some pretty amazing drawings. Take a look at more photos over on Hypebeast as well as some more samples below… Photo credit: Sean Marc Lee / Hypebeast. Discuss James Jean here.

Rewind: Jul 7 – Jul 20

Time for another Rewind feature here on AM. Leading things off is a new video from the Wall Street Journal profiling Os Gemeos and their stunning new exhibition (covered) in Sao Paulo. Along with footage of the paintings and installations, the Brazilian twins talk about how their work is like a portal into the subconscious, the moment right before falling asleep. Other notable videos for your perusal include: Skateboard paintings by Matt Reilly (via TWBE). Ludo – The Chaos Theory. Art in video games with […]

Overtime: July 14 – July 20

More stories from the week that ended July 20 (click on bolded words for more information): Profile of The Mistake Room and a look at Korakrit Arunanondchai exhibition there. RIP: Seymour Slive, who died at 93 after battling cancer. RIP: Otto Piene, who died in a taxi at the age of 86. One of the world’s greatest art collections in private hands in all likelihood is a hoax. Ronald Lauder urges Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum to return Pissarro painting looted by Nazis. Three paintings in Prussian Cultural Heritage […]

Upcoming: “The Provocateurs” @ Block 37

Coming up on July 31st at Block 37 in Chicago, Shepard Fairey will be curating a massive group exhibition that reaches across all genres. Set to coincide with Lollapalooza and presented by Art Alliance, The Provocateurs will feature an impressive roster of artists including Andrew Schoultz, C215, Camille Rose Garcia, Clare Rojas, Cleon Peterson, Cope2, Cyrcle., D*Face (seen above working on a massive diptych), Dana Louise Kirkpatrick, Deedee Cheriel, Dzine, Ernesto Yerena Montejano, Estevan Oriol, Evan Hecox, FAILE, Gary Panter, HAZE, How & Nosm, James Cauty, Jamie Reid, […]

Kehinde Wiley x Grey Goose – “Modern Kings of Culture” Series

Kehinde Wiley recently teamed up with Grey Goose to launch their new Le Melon flavor by painting a series of works called Modern Kings of Culture. Each piece was created with Wiley’s signature technique of remixing master paintings with a modern eye, playing with ideas of power and privilege by placing urban youths in classical poses. First, filmmaker Spike Lee’s portrait was revealed during the launch in New York. Then, the piece featuring Grammy nominated recording artist Swizz Beatz was unveiled during BET Awards Weekend. And finally, […]

Art Focus: Rafael Gómezbarros – “Casa Tomada”

If you have an insect phobia, you probably did not click through to read this article. For those who made it here, the swarms of ant sculptures you see are from Rafael Gómezbarros and his Casa Tomada project, traveling installations that have shown all over the world since 2007. The urban interventions are meant to represent displacement of peasants in his native Columbia due to war and violence, themes that resonate in one form or another in any country his work is displayed in. Crafted from tree […]

Openings: “OK, I’ll Rename It” @ Bill Brady KC

Summer has been heating up and of all the group shows popping up as everyone enters the break before fall – Bill Brady in Kansas City has some of the most hotness with a four person showcase. Entitled OK, I’ll Rename It, this exhibition puts together four artistic peers that have shown together in various combinations of galleries & group shows, but this marks the first time Erik Parker, KAWS, Todd “REAS” James and Tomoo Gokita have shared the stage for a smashing demonstration of their creativity. Check […]

Upcoming: Kelsey Brookes – “Sleep: The Science and the Mystery” @ Library Street Collective

On July 25th, Library Street Collective in Detroit will be hosting new works from Kelsey Brookes collectively entitled Sleep: The Science and the Mystery. Drawing on his past life as a biochemist, the San Diego based artist paints chemical and molecular structures with loosely defined abstract shapes and patterns. The resulting psychedelic swirls can put the viewer almost into a trance-like state if one stares at the work too long, mesmerized by the vortex of vibrant colors. Discuss this show here. Discuss Kelsey Brookes here.

Openings: Chie Yoshii & Casey Curran – “In The Darkness of Mere Being” & “Indeterminate Apotheosis” @ Roq La Rue

In The Darkness of Mere Being, Chie Yoshii’s first solo show, opened at Roq la Rue in Seattle on July 3rd. Titled after a quote from the great Carl Jung, the art explores many of the Swiss psychotherapist’s hypotheses about the psyche and our subconscious – rich colors emerging from the darkened forest to subjects bathed in moon light. Individuality was a large part of Jung’s work in psychology, and is represented here by a different animal in each piece. While some are bold and dominant, […]

Overtime: July 7 – July 13

Image: © Nancy Rubins. Courtesy of the artist and Gagosian Gagosian Gallery. Photography by Erich Koyama More stories from the week that ended July 13 (click on bolded words for more information): Nancy Rubins’ Our Friend Fluid Metal opens at Gagosian Gallery W 21st St on July 17. RIP: On Kawara, who died at the age of 81. Helly Nahmad had a month-long “party” before heading off to prison. Stuart Krimko leaves his position as director at David Kordansky Gallery to focus on poetry. The […]