Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Upcoming: Mark Dean Veca @ Western Project

Posted by sleepboy, August 6, 2014

On October 18, Western Project in Los Angeles will be welcoming back (see 2010) local artist Mark Dean Veca (interviewed) for a showing of his new works. Rendered with his distinctive “Toile de Jouy” like patterns, iconic characters from pop culture take on a fresh new form and meaning as he oftentimes twists familiar imagery for social commentary. For now, enjoy this newest piece featuring Veca’s version of the well-loved animated character – Taz. Discuss Mark Dean Veca here.

Previews: Femke Hiemstra – “Warten am Waldrand” @ Roq La Rue Gallery

Posted by SAL, August 5, 2014

Dutch artist and illustrator Femke Hiemstra (featured) returns to Roq La Rue Gallery for a shared solo alongside Casey Weldon (featured) on Thursday, August 7th. Titled Warten am Waldrand or Waiting at The Edge of the Forest, this is her 7th show with the Seattle gallery. Included in the exhibition are graphite drawings, painted vintage book covers, and pieces on found antique objects, part of her recognizable, signature types of works. All framed in vintage frames bought at flea markets and restored by her father, this body of work is a sequel to the […]

Openings: Audrey Kawasaki – “Hirari Hirari” @ Merry Karnowsky Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, August 5, 2014

Working with an expanded palette and new provocative imagery, Audrey Kawasaki (interviewed) gave her fans what they wanted and more with her new solo show. Entitled Hirari Hirari, the sold out exhibition held at Merry Karnowsky Gallery, took the locally-based painter’s portraiture up a notch with her flawless feminine forms. Embellished with elaborate flora and fauna, the new body of work was full of vibrant hues and had people lining up to get into the packed space till the end of the night. Discuss this […]

Streets: Greg “Craola” Simkins (Los Angeles)

Posted by SAL, August 3, 2014

It doesn’t happen often that Greg “Craola” Simkins (featured) grabs a spray can, but when he does, he usually creates something exceptional. After not painting walls for quite some time, his newest mural, which he recently finished in Los Angeles, is definitely an example of that. With support from Branded Arts and Graphaids, the LA-based artist took some time off his studio work and upcoming animated I’m Scared: The Movie, in order to create this fantastic piece. Completely figurative, with no letters or other “classic” graffiti elements, the piece […]

Overtime: July 28 – Aug 3

Posted by Khoi, August 3, 2014

More stories from the week that ended Aug 3 (click on bolded words for more information): Luis Hernan captures images of wifi signals using Android app and long exposure photography. RIP: Devin Leonardi, who took his own life at the age of 33. RIP: King Robbo, who died at the age of 45 after being in a vegetative state since 2011. RIP: Andrea L. Rich, who passed away at the age of 71 due to acute myeloid leukemia. Residents distraught and angry as militants destroy […]

Streets: Jeff Soto (Los Angeles) – Part II

Posted by sleepboy, August 1, 2014

As is often the case with public murals when released into the streets, local writers will add their own “opinions” directly onto the works. This is what happened almost immediately to the Jeff Soto (interviewed) wall that was painted in South Central last week (covered) as you can see above. Take a look below he returned to touch up the piece, changing his iconic owl into one of his signature cats in the process… Discuss Jeff Soto here.

Previews: Audrey Kawasaki – “Hirari Hirari” @ Merry Karnowsky Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, July 30, 2014

This Saturday night (August 2nd), Merry Karnowsky Gallery in Los Angeles will be presenting new works from Audrey Kawasaki (interviewed) entitled Hirari Hirari. Fans of the locally-based painter will be sure to pack the house (make sure you RSVP – [email protected]) to get a closer look at her provocative and stunning portraiture, rendered so seamlessly on wood that the grain looks to have become part of the imagery. Like three years ago, she will be opening her show (covered) alongside two other artists in the spacious gallery […]

Upcoming: Dan Quintana & Karen Hsiao – “Perverse Foil” @ Marcas Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, July 30, 2014

On August 2nd, the Marcas Gallery in Orange County will be opening Perverse Foil, a collaborative exhibition between painter Dan Quintana and photographer Karen Hsiao. Admirers of each other’s work since 2009, the two artist decided to collaborate on a show when they noticed similarities between Quintana’s figures and Hsiao’s models. Along with individual works, they will also be presenting joint creative efforts (like the one seen below) including Hsiao shooting her subjects live in front of an elaborate backdrop created by Quintana and hour before the opening […]

Interviews: Chris Valkov – ‘The (sub)Natural Balance’ @ Antler Gallery

Posted by sven, July 29, 2014

Portland-based artist Chris Valkov follows up last year’s solo exhibition at Breeze Block Gallery (covered) with a new body of work entitled The (sub)Natural Balance this week at Portland’s Antler Gallery. Thematically challenging anti-consumerism and ecological topics, his bold work is visually striking with the architectural style he employs within his painting work. AM caught up with Chris to ask a few questions ahead of the show which opens on Thursday, the 31st of July. Arrested Motion (AM): Can you explain a little about your background […]

Upcoming: Esao Andrews – “Epilogues” @ Jonathan LeVine Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, July 29, 2014

On October 11, Esao Andrews will be opening his second solo show (see 2010) with Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York entitled Epilogues. The new body of work or work “explores allegorical scenes of homecomings, focusing on a journey’s end” and will feature conclusions to some of the narrative threads the Los Angeles-based artist has explored in the past with his dream-like paintings. Attendees of the exhibition will be impressed, like us, with his surreal artistic vision, often times dark and beautiful at the same […]