Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Preview: Travis Louie – “Strange Discoveries” @ Merry Karnowsky Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, October 25, 2013

On November 9th, Travis Louie (interviewed) will be opening his big Los Angeles solo at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery. Entitled Strange Discoveries, the fitting title describes the eclectic collection of creatures and characters that Louie brings with him to every exhibition. It also hits it on the nail when expressing the feeling of joy and discovery that fans experience when confronted by the surreal portraits painted by the New York-based artist as sort of a proof (like the vintage photography he so admires) of his fantastical stories (that accompany […]

Previews: “The 13th Hour” @ Last Rites Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, October 24, 2013

This Saturday night, the Last Rites Gallery will be opening their sixth annual The 13th Hour group exhibition. Celebrating the Halloween season, artists invited to join the group exhibition were asked to explore the darker side of their imagery. Participants include Stefano Alcantara, Agostino Arrivabene, Tom Bagshaw, William Basso, Nick Baxter, Bloodmilk, Matthew Bone, Scott G Brooks, Matt Buck, John Cebollero, David Choquette, Ryan Matthew Cohn, Jason Goldberg, Carl Grace, Fred Harper, Naoto Hattori (seen above), Stephanie Henderson, Jeremy Hush, Sarah Joncas, Jed Leiknes, Eli Livingston, Dave MacDowell, Chris Mars, Megan Massacre, Jim McKenzie, Vince Natale, Buddy Nestor, Richard J Oliver, Anthony Pontius, Michael Ramstead, David Richardson, Paul Romano, Matt Rota, Richard T Scott. David Stoupakis, Tin, Yosuke Ueno, Redd Walitzki, Jasmine Worth, Vincent […]

Openings: Beyond Eden 2013

Posted by sleepboy, October 20, 2013

Last weekend, the fourth Beyond Eden art fair opened its doors at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Park. Great crowds of art lovers showed up to support the various galleries (Thinkspace, C.A.V.E Gallery, Copro Gallery, and Spoke Art) and the artists represented. Some highlights were as special presentation recognizing Greg Escalante’s contributions to the LA art scene, the first showing of Chet Zar’s Ego Death project, as well as the Bird’s Eye View and Wild At Heart II group exhibitions. Take a look at more photos below… Photo credit: Sam Graham. Discuss Beyond Eden here.

Overtime: Oct 14 – Oct 20

Posted by Khoi, October 20, 2013

More stories from the week that ended Oct 20 (click on the bolded words for more info): Pieter Brueghel the Younger painting unknown to the world for 400 years will be shown at Frieze Masters. RIP: Carter Wellborn, who died at the age of 86 due to a heart attack. RIP: Leslie Sacks, who died at the age of 61 due to cancer. Heirs of seller who sold Klimt Frieze at huge discount pressing Austria to return it to family. Two poster collections, including work […]

Upcoming: Ron English – “Popogandastan” @ Corey Helford Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, October 19, 2013

On October 26th, the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City will be opening a new show from Ron English (featured) entitled Popagandastan. Presenting a new series of surreal paintings, the exhibition re-introduces Angelenos to some of his signature characters such as the neurotic Ronnnie Rabbbit, Combrats, Snappers, Wolves, Sheep, Quacks, Buddha Burgers, and of course Cowgirls. Make sure you make plans to enter the incredible world of the “popaganda” master next Saturday night. Discuss Ron English here.

Streets: Ron English for Avant Garde Urbano (Spain)

Posted by Manuel Bello, October 18, 2013

Back in the 90s, Ron English and Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada were pioneering the street art movement (that was not even conceptualized) with their own private clan of “art fux,” modifying billboard, street signs with clever adverts. Once again, at this years Avant Garde Urbano they were making big things happen. English kept his cans shaking on his 30’x 20′ piece, utilizing every color in the palette that MTN so graciously had to offer, in the hot Tudela sun, while Rodriguez-Gerada was fresh off his wish project and hanging one of […]

Openings: John Casey – “Little Excorcisms” @ Breeze Block Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, October 17, 2013

Earlier this month, The Breeze Block Gallery in Portland presented all new works from John Casey (along with Mike Egan’s solo ) entitled Little Excorcisms. For those familiar with the Oakland-based artist’s work, you will recognize his continued exploration of “fictitious human morphology” with his strange creations that seem to take a fantastical view of different body parts. The exhibition includes his imaginative ink drawings and grotesque sculptures, of which you can see more of below… Discuss John Casey here.

Openings: Kukula – The Adventures Of Raspberry Finn” @ Corey Helford Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, October 16, 2013

Last month, The Adventures Of Raspberry Finn opened at the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City featuring new paintings from Kukula. Taking inspirations from various sources like famous fictional characters and the fashion of Russian designer Ulyana Sergeenko, the LA-based artist created new renderings of her sultry female characters. Take a look at more of our photos below… Discuss Kukula here.

Openings: Craww & Tatiana Suarez – ‘Through The Veil’ @ Spoke Art

Posted by sven, October 14, 2013

Spoke Art’s latest exhibition opened on October 3rd in San Francisco. Through The Veil features the work of Miami based Tatiana Suarez and Sheffield, UK’s Craww. The pairing have shown together previously at the SF space, so this exhibition serves as a triumphal return / reunion of sorts for the artists, who both depict the female form in very different ways. Craww’s sinuous renderings are completed in oils – a transition he recently made, apparently with great success judging by the delicate works exhibited here – as are […]

Showing: Pete Fowler – “Theme From Boat Weirdos” @ The Book Club

Posted by SAL, October 14, 2013

Pete Fowler recently opened a solo show at the infamous The Book Club in London. Titled Theme From Boat Weirdos, the show features new paintings and drawings as well as the site specific installation/mural, as a sequel to his previous solo show at Outlaws Yacht Club in Leeds earlier in the year. Often inspired by music, folklore, myths, psychedelia and the supernatural, Fowler prepared a whole series of acrylic portraits of his ocean related bohemes for the show ranging from ex-rock stars, beach bums and other weirdos that are living on the […]