Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Upcoming: 111 Minna Gallery 20th Anniversary Exhibition

Posted by sleepboy, July 22, 2013

Coming up on the 6th of September, the 111 Minna Gallery will be putting on a group show celebrating their 20th year anniversary. Not surprisingly, their long history deservedly affords them the opportunity to put together a roster of heavy hitters in the genre. Those slated to contribute a piece include Brett Amory, Shawn Barber, Glenn Barr, David Choong Lee, Ron English, Jeremy Fish, Sam Flores, Doze Green, Jay Howell, Sylvia Ji, Josh Keyes (seen above), Liz McGrath, Mark Ryden, Kathy Staico-Schorr, Todd Schorr, Shag, Joe Sorren, […]

Openings: Cleon Peterson – ‘There is a War’ @ The Outsiders

Posted by sven, July 22, 2013

Cleon Peterson recently brought his highly stylised and violent imagery to London for his first solo exhibition in the UK. There is a War opened at The Outsiders’ Soho gallery space on Thursday July 4th with a selection of works from his Brinksman series as well as his wonderful tableaux street scenes so full of multi-dimensional blood drenched villainy. For many at the opening it was the first opportunity to see Cleon’s graphical (and also graphic) work in person, and a chance to absorb his technique over a large body of work. There […]

Openings: ‘Word Play’ @ Design Matters

Posted by sven, July 21, 2013

A little while back we brought you a preview of some of the work for Word Play, hosted at Design Matters Gallery in Los Angeles. The premise of the exhibition excited us as the curated theme was based around text within art. The group exhibition was curated by Stephanie Chefas, of Platinum Cheese blog fame and features a variety of artists from very different backgrounds but all commonly using text in their work though a range of styles and mediums. Ben Venom (above), Shawn Huckins, Greg Lamarche, Gregory Siff, Meg Hitchcock, Meryl Pataky, and RERO all contributed […]

Overtime: July 15 – July 21

Posted by Khoi, July 21, 2013

More stories from the week ended July 21: Christian Marclay puts images from Maurizio Cattelan’s Toiletpaper mag on windows of Palais de Tokyo. Henri Matisse’s (previously banned) candid views from 1941 on his work & depression set to be published. Finnish museum refuses request from Iraq to return artifacts donated to president by delegation from Iraq. Looted art from Cypriot churches is returned by Germany after they were seized sixteen years ago. China shuts down $88million museum after discovering that it has had scores of […]

Previews: Naoto Hattori – “REM” @ Copro Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, July 17, 2013

It’s been a little over a year since Naoto Hattori last showed in Los Angeles (covered), so it is about time for another go. REM will open on July 27th at the Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, with the title seemingly referring to that stage of sleep where dreams occur. This is certainly as good a title as any to describe the Japanese painter’s imagery, with surreal and psychedelic creatures, all rendered in super detail. If you have seen his work in person, you will have marveled at […]

Releases: Audrey Kawasaki x Pressure Printing – “Eien”

Posted by sleepboy, July 16, 2013

For those who missed Audrey Kawasaki’s (interviewed) sold out print release from Pressure Printing five years ago, here is your chance at the companion print. Entitled Eien, which in Japanese translates to “forever,” “eternity,” or “permanence,” the new limited edition (run of 50) sized at 8 ¾” × 12 ¾” will cost you $1500 and comes in hand built walnut frames. The print, which is hand embellished by Audrey in pink pencil, will be available for sale at noon PDT on Tuesday, July 23rd 2013. Discuss Audrey Kawasaki here.

Chet Zar – “Ego Death” Kickstarter

Posted by sleepboy, July 16, 2013

It sounds like Chet Zar (interviewed) has big plans for his next show which will be entitled Ego Death. By setting up a kickstarter, the Los Angeles-based painter of monsters hopes to put on an exhibition like an elaborate funeral. Turns out the grotesque creatures he is famous for creating are his representations of our egos, parts of us we don’t like to look at and it’s time to end things once and for all. Learn more in the video below, and if you are feeling generous, […]

Openings: Sylvia Ji – “Interwoven” @ FFDG

Posted by rhinomilk, July 15, 2013

San Francisco native and now Los Angeles-based painter, Sylvia Ji, opened her solo show Interwoven at Fecal Face Dot Gallery last Friday evening. The show featured new paintings on wood that feature traditional patterns interwoven with The Day of the Dead motifs as well as expanding on her work with the female form incorporating similar elements. Also released at the opening was a new print featuring one of her works in the show. Check out pics from the opening below… Discuss Sylvia Ji here.

Kenny Scharf Car “Tags”

Posted by sleepboy, July 15, 2013

It looks like Kenny Scharf (interviewed), who recently showed in New York (covered), has been painting on fans’ cars recently. What started off several weeks ago in the Big Apple has progressed to the West Coast where he has been filling requests in Los Angeles. If you are interested in joining in on the fun and getting the NY legend’s distinctive characters in what he calls “tagged” on your car, try and reach out to him on Instagram. Discuss Kenny Scharf here.

Overtime: July 8 – July 14

Posted by Khoi, July 14, 2013

More stories from the week ended July 14: Phil Akashi creates Nelson Mandela portrait from 27,000 punches with the Chinese characters 自由 (freedom). RIP: Norman Parish, pioneering dealer of African American art, who died of a brain tumor at age 75. Takashi Murakami has scrapped plans to open a Kaikai Kiki Gallery in Singapore. Fathers4Justice vows to step up attacks on artworks in the UK. Same-sex marriage ruling brings tax benefits for art world professionals. Charles Saatchi getting a divorce from Nigella Lawson after apparent […]