Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Previews / Videos: Mark Ryden – “The Gay 90s: West” @ Kohn Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, May 1, 2014

This Saturday, May 3rd, Kohn Gallery’s amazing new space will be hosting Mark Ryden’s long awaited West Coast continuation of his Gay 90s series of works that started back in 2010 in New York (covered). Along with his largest work to date, the masterful Los Angeles-based painter will be presenting new works and it appears (as seen in the installation shots below) some important older work as well. Rounding out the show will be something that will prove to be quite popular, an intricate motorized diorama […]

Opening: Mark Whalen – “Stranded” @ Merry Karnowsky Gallery

Posted by carlosgonzalez, April 30, 2014

Earlier this month, the Merry Karnowsky Gallery unveiled new work by artist Mark Whalen. Titled Stranded, this recent exhibition by the Australian artist shows him delving into both familiar and new ground. Recognizable themes such as the different aspects of human interaction in limited environments are present again in this new exhibition. However, Whalen also shows how these themes can be re-interpreted through the cultural traditions of ceramic vessels and pottery, which highlights a new aspect in his technique. The show will be displayed through the end of the week […]

Previews: Martin Wittfooth & Jean Labourdette – “De Anima” @ Roq La Rue

Posted by sleepboy, April 30, 2014

Tomorrow night, the first of May, the Roq La Rue gallery in Seattle will be hosting a new showing from Martin Wittfooth (interviewed) and Jean Labourdette entitled De Anima. The exhibition features the duo exploring the environmental, social, and spiritual impact of our technological advances. Fans will be in for a treat as both artists’ works are a joy to see in person – Martin’s oil paintings featuring animal characters rendered in his signature rusty palette (seen above) and Labourdette’s whimsical paintings on custom shaped surfaces. Discuss this […]

Showing: Artist Anonymous – “Old Game New” @ Jonathan LeVine

Posted by juggernut3, April 29, 2014

Jonathan LeVine Gallery recently christened its second space in Chelsea (located on the ground floor of 557 West 23rd Street) with a show by the collective Artist Anonymous. Entitled Old Game New, this exhibition contains new works new works and a site-specific installation by the collective based in London & Berlin. Using multimedia work, painting, sculpture and photography, AA is focused on taking the viewer deeper into Alice’s Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. AA’s unique process involves an unusual technique of painting realistic subjects with […]

Coachella Walls ’14 / Streets: Andrew Hem

Posted by sleepboy, April 28, 2014

Earlier this month, we brought your attention to a mural that El Mac painted for the Coachella Walls project in the historic Pueblo Viejo area. As noted, the actual city of Coachella does not derive any revenue from the annual music and arts festival and remains a poor farming community. Date Farmers, who call the area their home, curator Medvin Sobio, and the city want to bring attention to this by sponsoring a series of public murals – which brings us to the next wall we want to spotlight from Andrew Hem. The Cambodian […]

Previews: Scott Greenwalt & Smith|Allen – “Degeneration / Regeneration” @ Loakal Art Gallery

Posted by sven, April 28, 2014

Opening on Friday, May 2nd at Loakal Art Gallery is Degeneration/Regeneration, featuring works by Scott Greenwalt and Smith|Allen and curated by Nastia Voynovskaya. Both sets of artists are based in Oakland and whilst their practices each use very different media, the outcomes and investigations of their work explore similar territory: natural phenomena as filtered through the contemporary imagination in the digital age. Smith|Allen (above) comprises sculptor and installation artist Stephanie Smith and architect and designer Bryan Allen. The duo creates 3D-printed installations that respond to their […]

Showing: Dylan Egon – “American Holy Relics” @ Jonathan LeVine

Posted by juggernut3, April 27, 2014

Opening alongside Dan Witz (covered) at Jonathan LeVine Gallery was Jersey City based artist Dylan Egon. The show entitled American Holy Relics explores themes such as American values, biotechnology, conspicuous consumption, and the shifting line between art & commerce. Dylan marries art and design with an appreciation for American culture and craftsmanship. Many components that we’ve seen in our studio visit with Egon were on display. The exhibition includes mixed media works on panel, ready-made sculptures, sound installations and unique object creations. One in particular that caught […]

Overtime: April 21 – April 27

Posted by Khoi, April 27, 2014

More stories from the week that ended April 27 (click on bolded words for more information): Ryan McGinley shown by Team Gallery at Paris Photo LA, which opened this weekend. RIP: Robert Olsen, who died at the age of 44 from a probable heart attack. Vogue not working with Terry Richardson after new allegations (denied by Richardson) by Emma Appleton. A vandal uses razor to damage Arezoo Moseni’s work in a exhibition at Gallery 61. Jose Carlos Bergantiños Diaz arrested after being suspected of dealing […]

Openings: Dan Witz – “NY Hardcore” @ Jonathan LeVine

Posted by juggernut3, April 26, 2014

Brooklyn-based artist Dan Witz recently opened a show consisting of a fresh series of paintings at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Entitled NY Hardcore, this exhibition featured a new body of work that utilized his skills of old master painting techniques depicting hyper-realistic subjects. We experienced a healthy mix of portraiture and his high-energy mosh pit paintings that have been long enjoyed. This long-standing series is inspired by his experience in the early 80s, performing in post-punk noise bands during the downtown NY scene. The mosh pit paintings […]

Previews: Jolene Lai – “Play” @ Thinkspace Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, April 23, 2014

On Saturday night, April 26th, Jolene Lai will be presenting five new works in Thinkspace Gallery’s project room (an encore to her showing there in 2013). Entitled Play, the new collection of paintings demonstrate the Los Angeles-based artist’s unique world, filled with whimsical and adventurous scenes seemingly taken directly from a fairytale or surreal dream. Take a look at more preview images below… Discuss Jolene Lai here. Discuss this show here.