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Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Previews: Greg “Craola” Simkins – “Good Knight” @ Merry Karnowsky

This Saturday, May 17th, Greg Simkins (featured) will be presenting all new works at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery collectively entitled Good Knight, a play on words in reference to one of his signature characters. The latest exhibition from the Los Angeles-based artist otherwise known as Craola will feature a series of paintings where he looks back at his childhood and his fears & curiosities from that time. As you can guess, Simkins must have had a pretty active imagination as a kid, so expect much of the surreal […]

Upcoming: “Art Truancy – Celebrating 20 Years of Juxtapoz Magazine” @ Jonathan LeVine Gallery

This Thursday, May 15th, over 40 artists will be presenting works for the Juxtapoz Magazine 20th Anniversary show. The lineup chock full of talent include Alex Gross, Alex Pardee, Andrew Schoultz, Brett Amory, Camille Rose Garcia, Chloe Early, Conor Harrington, Doze Green, Faile, Jeremy Fish, Jeff Soto (seen above), Marion Peck, Mark Ryden, Maya Hayuk, Miss Van, Neckface, Parra, Pushead, Robert Williams, Saner, Seonna Hong, Shepard Fairey, Swoon, Thomas Campbell, Todd James, Todd Schorr, and more. Held at both the 557C West 23rd Street & 529 West 20th […]

Previews: Jessica Harrison – “FLASH” @ Galerie L.J.

This Thursday in Paris, May 15th, Galerie L.J. will be presenting the sculptural works of Jessica Harrison, her first solo exhibition in the French capital. Known for her way of twisting classical porcelain figurines (last seen by us in 2001) in unexpected ways with her artistic vision, the Scottish sculptor’s series of work set to be put on display will be no different. FLASH will see Harrison add tattoos to her delicate ladies, with the title of course referencing this fact. We look forward to seeing the […]

Rewind: Apr 14 – May 11

Over the last several weeks, we have gathered together some worthy videos for you to watch as part of our reoccurring Rewind feature. First up is an interview with Shepard Fairey by Complex where he announces and discusses his collaboration with Hennessy with a new bottle design set to be released in July. If you remember, (covered), KAWS (covered), and Os Gemeos (covered) have all created and released a version of their own. Take a look at the video below along with others that caught our attention. […]

Openings: Josh Keyes & Neil M. Perry – “Entwined” @ Antler Gallery

Last month, the the Antler Gallery in Portland opened a joint exhibition between Josh Keyes (interviewed) and Neil M. Perry entitled Entwined. The showing highlighted how both artists were in tune with nature with their work, focusing on the interplay between species and the surrounding environment, often rendered with surreal elements. The two locally-based painters also found time to collaborate on a piece together (seen above). Take a look at more photos from the opening below… Photos via the gallery. Discuss Josh Keyes here. Discuss this show here.

Album Covers: James Jean x Linkin Park – “The Hunting Party”

With the release scheduled for next month (June 17th), it’s time to tell you about James Jean’s (interviewed) latest project – working on Linkin Park ‘s new album artwork. If you remember, he also created Taleb Kweli’s cover art back in 2012. The latest effort from Jean sees the American rock band working off the sublime sketches (seen below) from the artist, currently on sabbatical somewhere in Asia, and utilizing 3D modeling to create the images seen in promotion as well as on the cover […]

Overtime: May 5 – May 11

More stories from the week that ended May 11 (click on bolded words for more information): The Guardian catches up with Dan Colen as his exhibition opens at the Brant Foundation. Details also takes a detailed look at the artist. RIP: Sturtevant, who died in Paris. RIP: Cornelius Gurlitt, who died at the age of 81, probably due to failing heart. He bequeaths his collection to Kunstmuseum Bern. They are undecided on whether they will accept the collection yet. RIP: Maria Lassnig, who died away […]

Previews: “Space//Squared” @ White Walls Gallery

Tomorrow night (May 10th) in San Francisco, the White Walls Gallery will be opening a new group exhibition curated by Sven Davis entitled Space//Squared. Following up on a show last year in Portland (covered), artists are again asked to contribute artwork in a 10″ x 10″ inch format, allowing us to see how each responds to the same prescribed guidelines. Along with pieces from over 100 artists (list seen below), Adam Friedman and Robert Minervini will create a site-specific installation (see video below) featuring a series of […]

Openings: Martin Wittfooth & Jean Labourdette – “De Anima” @ Roq la Rue Gallery

In their second collaboration, artists Martin Wittfooth (interviewed) and Jean Labourdette have created captivating new works for De Amina, which opened at Roq la Rue on May 1st.  Hidden meanings and symbolism are used heavily between the two works, with animals playing a heavy role in defusing the messages of consumerism and our culture’s constant need to upgrade.  Visually less obvious is the commentary on our psyche.  The show title itself lends us clues as De Anima translates to “the soul”, which also references writings by […]

Overtime: April 28 – May 4

More stories from the week that ended May 4 (click on the bolded words for more information): WSJ looks at a day in the life with Dan Colen as he prepares for this Brant Foundation show. At least 20 are killed in Syria after the finishing touches were put on children’s art exhibition. Ai Weiwei removed from Shanghai show about history of Chinese contemporary art due to governmental pressure. The artist also denounces sci-fi Kickstarter film that used his name and image to promote the […]