Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Showing: Souther Salazar – “Attic Transmissions” @ Narwhal Contemporary

Posted by sleepboy, April 15, 2015

Currently at the Narwhal Contemporary in Toronto, Souther Salazar has a new solo show on view entitled Attic Transmissions. Continuing his signature whimsical style of painting, the Portland-based artist has created a fresh batch of works that explore a new process of taking fragments created at different times and then merging them into new compositions. His thoughts on the exhibition – “The work for this show came to me in fragments, written and doodled while living in Scrapper’s Attic. In the beginning I made piles of small drawings and notes. Each day I’d […]

Openings: “One Page” @ Roq La Rue

Posted by x43x, April 14, 2015

It seems strange to write about a show that one curated, so I’ll just give a little history about how the show came together, and let the photos speak for themselves. A few years ago Ryan Heshka had a solo show at Roq La Rue which included a couple pieces that were sequential stories and presented as stand-alone comics. They fascinated me and I wondered what a full show, with an assortment of artists might be like. The planning began and a date was chosen […]

Openings: “Uchronia” Group Show and Amanda Manitach – “Whiskey Helps” @ Roq La Rue

Posted by x43x, April 13, 2015

Opening alongside Peter Ferguson’s Prime Meridian (covered), Roq La Rue packed even more art into the space to showcase the mini-group show titled Uchronia, and the upstairs featured Amanda Manitach’s Whiskey Helps. Featuring mostly Roq La Rue alumns, Uchronia asked artists to recreate or alter history in some way. Femke Hiemstra imagines a different take on evolution which has enabled a frog to smoke a pipe while fly fishing with a pole. Jessica McCourt unveils the mystery of Percy Fawcett’s disappearance with a painting framed by […]

Openings: Peter Ferguson – “Prime Meridian” @ Roq La Rue

Posted by x43x, April 12, 2015

For several years now, Peter Ferguson has been transporting us to a world where human characters share their living spaces with monsters and other strange creatures. Prime Meridian continues to give us a glimpse into the every day lives of this world’s inhabitants. Over a dozen new works tell the tales of travelers, explorers, and even a bathing troll. Each piece has a color palette that could seemingly have come from being aged in cigar room for twenty some years. Complementary frames and inscribed title plates […]

Overtime: April 6 – April 12

Posted by Khoi, April 12, 2015

More stories from the week that ended April 12 (click on bolded words for more information): Nate Lowman – America Sneezes opens at Dallas Contemporary. RIP: Dr. Frederic Brandt, who may have died of a suicide at age 65. A look at his art collection. Badria Mohamed al Balloushi and husband Hamad Obaid Rashash found guilty of murdering Ahmed Hussain Salarey. The fate of Erich Slomovic’s collection, after he tried to flee and escape the Nazis. Police in Gaza seize Banksy door that is in […]

James Jean – “Psychic Temple” Library Project (Part II)

Posted by sleepboy, April 11, 2015

After introducing you last month to the Psychic Temple project from James Jean (interviewed), we now have an update with some on site photos for you to enjoy. A collaboration between the nomadic Jean and architect Brandon Shigeta, the intriguing undertaking is commissioned by interTrend in Long Beach for their new library. Take a look as he works on installing as well as hand-finishing the bookshelves and come back as we will have a final look for you when it’s completed. Photo credit: Quang Le. Discuss James Jean here.

Previews: Deth P. Sun – “Being and Nothingness” @ Grumpy Bert

Posted by sleepboy, April 10, 2015

Later this month (April 25th), Deth P. Sun will be opening another show (see 2013) at Brooklyn’s Grumpy Bert entitled Being and Nothingness. The solo exhibition will feature more of his whimsical acrylic on wood paintings based on the adventures of his signature cat-like character, along with plays with text, rounded out by lush supplemental paintings. Take a look at some preview images below… Discuss Deth P. Sun here.

Streets: Miss Van x Dan Quintana x Victor Castillo x Esao Andrews (Los Angeles)

Posted by sleepboy, April 8, 2015

Last month, a group of friends got together to work on the walls of a costume shop on Fairfax Ave in West Hollywood. The project saw a street art legend in Miss Van teaming up with fellow artists who may not share the same experience getting up in the public arena but who feature the same surrealist vision in their artwork. Dan Quintana, Victor Castillo, and Esao Andrews more than held their own with the French artist, while also taking time to try on some […]

Overtime: March 30 – April 5

Posted by Khoi, April 5, 2015

More stories from the week that ended April 5 (click on bolded words for more information): An interview with Max Frintrop, who discusses his background, work, and future projects. RIP: Andrew Getty, grandson of J. Paul Getty, who died at the age of 47. He had a series of health issues leading up to his death. RIP: Paule Anglim, who died of old age in her 90s. SF Gate talks about her life. RIP: Albert Irvin, who died at the age of 92. RIP: Michael […]

Studio Visits: Shawn Huckins

Posted by Scott Bailey, April 3, 2015

When AM arrived at Shawn Huckins‘ studio in Denver’s trendy Lowry district, the paintings were finished, the oil dry and most already packed up and ready to send across town to Goodwin Fine Art for his solo show entitled American_tier opening April 17th (stay tuned for opening night coverage). Huckins is best known for his ability to engage viewers using classic style paintings of historical figures with overlaid text, the final piece being equal parts gorgeous portraiture and lighthearted humor. For each series, he has concentrated on a different period of […]