Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Openings: Mike Shine – “Flotsam’s Harvest” @ White Walls

Posted by sleepboy, May 9, 2013

A couple months ago, White Walls in San Francisco played host to Flotsam’s Harvest by the Bolinas-based Mike Shine (featured). The exhibition consisted of an immersive installation featuring paintings, films, and performance art filled with symbolism and clues as to solve the dark “World Riddle” posed by Friedrich Nietzsche in his book, Thus Spake Zarathustra. If you recall, the German philosopher and poet also provided inspiration for Shine’s show in Los Angeles back in 2011 (covered). Check out the rest of the photos below… Photo credit: Joe Russo. Discuss Mike […]

Mark Ryden’s YHWH Group Custom Show @ Toy Art Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, May 8, 2013

This Saturday night (May 11th), the Toy Art Gallery in Melrose will be presenting Mark Ryden’s YHWH Group Custom Show (RSVP here). The YHWH figure has been around for several years now since its release (covered), and now a diverse list of artists will be customizing them with the blessing of the Low Brow luminary including Akira Kiriya/Chikuwaemil, Anthony Ausgang, Bob Conge/Plaseebo, Camilla d’Errico, Camille Rose Garcia, Cris Rose, Daniel Goffin, David Flores, DrilOne, Doze Green, Emilio Garcia, FFINC, Francesco de Molfetta, Frank Kozik, Isabel Samaras, Jessicka Addams, […]

Showing: Chet Zar & Doktor A – “Oddfellows” @ Stranger Factory

Posted by sleepboy, May 7, 2013

Currently showing at the Stranger Factory in Albuquerque is a dual exhibition from Chet Zar (interviewed) and Doktor A entitled Oddfellows. Aptly named for the strange artistic vision, the joint show from the two features Zar’s grotesque and monstrous portraits painted in a nightmarish fashion that only he can do as well as the Dok’s steampunk mechanical creations put together by his deft hand. The two even found time to collaborate on a sculptural piece together. Check out the rest of the show here. Photo […]

Openings: Stacey Rozich – “Within Without Me” @ Roq la Rue

Posted by x43x, May 6, 2013

With rising notoriety, local artist Stacey Kozich’s Within Without Me exhibition kicked off the Roq la Rue Gallery’s new Pioneer Square location with a jam packed crowd. Rozich’s bright color palette drew in patrons as they made their way through the neighborhood’s monthly artwalk. The gallery was quickly filled as they explored the inner workings of the exhibition. From afar, the masked characters seem peaceful enough, but when you get in close, the pieces convey a much darker sentiment. While some creatures exhibit exuberance, others […]

Overtime: April 29 – May 5

Posted by Khoi, May 5, 2013

More stories from the week ended May 5: An in-depth look at JR’s studio. RIP: Channa Horwitz. MOCA architecture show, funded by Getty, could face cancellation due to financial issues. Sequestration temporarily closes parts of Hirshhorn, African Art Museum, and Smithsonian Castle. MBW’s Sid Vicious works, based on Dennis Morris photo are “not transformative”, breaks copyright. Collector files lawsuit against Sotheby’s saying it sold him Nazi-looted artwork. Canadian government funds research on Holocaust-era art provenance project. Peter Doig’s parole officer claims to own early Doig […]

Art Focus: Joel Rea

Posted by sleepboy, May 3, 2013

We are ready to introduce another artist to you via our Art Focus feature – Joel Rea. The imagery of the Australia-based painter typically includes characters wrestling with forces of nature, often with a surreal effect. Those of you in Sydney can check out his work in person as one of his portraits has been selected for Salon des Refusés with the exhibition running through May 19th at the S.H. Ervin Gallery (National Trust Centre). Otherwise, you can follow his facebook fanpage here or check […]

Preview: “Suggestivism” (Rome) @ Casa dell’Architettura / Acquario Romano

Posted by sleepboy, May 1, 2013

Coming up this weekend (May 3rd), Mondopop will be presenting the Suggestivism in Rome at the Casa dell’Architettura / Acquario Romano. The exhibition is curated by Nathan Spoor and is the encore to an amazing show (covered) back in 2011 in Southern California featuring an all-star roster of artists. This time around, another set of great participants have been assembled including Esao Andrews, Mia Araujo, Julian Callos, Cam de Leon, Ron English, Yoko d’Holbachie, Charlie Immer, Kris Lewis, Jason Limon, Chris Mars, Dan May, Jeff […]

Rewind (April 22 – April 28)

Posted by sleepboy, May 1, 2013

This week’s Rewind feature is headlined by a Fragmentos, a fantastic new film detailing Vhils and his work in Brazil. The footage follows Mr. Farto and his crew as they work on making their imprint on various walls in Rio de Janeiro mixed with a montage of local flavor. Other notable videos include: Jasper Wong x Avant/Garde Diaries – The Simple Beauty of Just Coloring TrustoCorp bombs an abandoned theme park. New Rijksmuseum opening. Tilda Swinton sleeps in a box at MoMA. Samuel Bayer, discusses […]

Openings: Gary Baseman – “The Door Is Always Open” @ The Skirball

Posted by sleepboy, April 30, 2013

It was a night to remember. Last week, the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles opened its doors to an extensive survey of Gary Baseman’s career and life entitled The Door Is Always Open. Friends, family, fellow artists, collectors, admirers, and well wishers alike attended to show their respects to the pervasive artist and his illustrious accomplishments. The exhibition paid tribute to the many things the Emmy Award–winning artist has accomplished and created including paintings, illustrations, photographs, textiles, toys, commercial endeavors, sketchbooks, sculptural works, and videos. Even […]

Openings: Shag – “Thursday’s Girl” @ Jonathan LeVine Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, April 29, 2013

Currently showing at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery through May 4th is Thursday’s Girl from painter Josh Agle, otherwise known as SHAG (interviewed). For his fourth solo exhibition with the Chelsea showspace, the Socal-based painter presents a new body of work inspired by “All Tomorrow’s Parties, the classic Velvet Underground song in which lyrics written by Lou Reed spoke to New York’s downtown art scene found in places such as Warhol’s Factory.” The pieces reflect an aesthetic strongly influenced by mid-century modern design and are rendered in his distinctive style and palette. […]