Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Openings: John Brophy – “New Songs for the Standard Model” @ Roq La Rue

Posted by sleepboy, November 12, 2012

Last Friday, AM traveled to Seattle to attend a couple shows at the Roq La Rue Gallery. Not only did we have the privilege to enjoy Josh Keyes’ fantastic new paintings, but we also took time to take in John Brophy’s new body of work entitled New Songs for the Standard Model. Brophy’s intense imagery often features scientific formulas, symbology, Asian-influenced references and artifacts of the modern world. This particular group of paintings on display was inspired by the discovery of the Higgs Boson particle this summer by […]

Upcoming: Femke Hiemstra – “Let The Devil Wear Black” @ Roq La Rue

Posted by sleepboy, November 11, 2012

Next month in Seattle, the Roq La Rue Gallery will be hosting a joint show with Femke Hiemstra and Ryan Heshka entitled Let The Devil Wear Black. Hiemstra has been spending lots of time on an new body of work featuring her anthropomorphized animals and their surreal adventures – all rendered exquisitely. Here are some glimpses of the Dutch artist’s new painting, but plan to attend the opening (scheduled for December 7th) if you are in the area. Discuss Femke Hiemstra here.

Overtime: Nov 5 – Nov 11

Posted by Khoi, November 11, 2012

Overtime stories of the week: More spectacular aerial images of New York by Iwan Baan after parts of it loses power due to Sandy. How he captured the images. Galleries struggling to navigate complex options of insurance policies regarding flooding post-Sandy. Sandy exposes major flaw in design of National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Artwork damaged due to Sandy overwhelm art conservators in the NY area. Doug and Mike Starn’s South Ferry mosaics escape damage from Superstorm Sandy. Sandy miraculously spared 1st phase of Artlantic – […]

Openings: Jacub Gagnon – “More Human Than Human” @ Thinkspace

Posted by sleepboy, November 7, 2012

Last weekend, Canadian painter Jacub Gagnon (interviewed) put his new work, collectively entitled More Human Than Human, on display in the Thinkspace project room. The sold out show of seven pieces featured his surreal renderings of wildlife set against a stark black background combining his creatures with objects often dictated by a clever play on words. Check out some photos below or head over for a look yourself before the show closes on November 24th. Photo credit: Peter Svab for Arrested Motion. Discuss Jacub Gagnon here. Discuss this show […]

Studio Visits: Mike Sutfin – “Creeping Nomadic” @ Grass Hut

Posted by rhinomilk, November 5, 2012

The other weekend, AM swung by Oakland-based painter/illustrator Mike Sutfin’s studio as he was putting the final touches to his Creeping Nomadic show at Grass Hut in Portland that runs til November 30th. The show features a series of small oil paintings on board (none of which are digitally colored!), ink illustrations, t-shirts, and hand-painted versions of his toy, Battle Man and Battle Rat (which were painted by him and other artists). The gallery already has already posted the artwork online, which you can check […]

Studio Visits: AJ Fosik

Posted by sven, November 5, 2012

AJ Fosik’s sculptural artworks almost need no introduction. In a world where it is increasingly difficult to have a true individual voice as an artist, Fosik’s work has an original aesthetic honed over the years from his roots in graffiti, street art and two-dimensional drawing. AJ decided that his imagery would be better represented in three dimensions around seven years ago, and has continued to immerse himself in the medium of handcrafted woodwork for his iconography inspired art ever since. Using modern woodworking techniques (he doesn’t consider himself […]

Openings: Sylvia Ji – “La Catrina” @ CHG Circa

Posted by sleepboy, November 4, 2012

Last night, the CHG Circa Gallery in Culver City held the opening for Sylvia Ji’s (interviewed) solo show featuring her paintings inspired by Día de los Muertos. Entitled appropriately Catrina, after the beautiful lady of the dead, the new body of work encompassed a selection of portraiture incorporating much of the imagery and iconography of the holiday. Along with full scale works, there were also smaller closeup pieces of faces as well as some limited edition offerings. Photo credit: Peter Svab. Discuss this show here. Discuss Sylvia Ji here.

Showing: “Bad Dads” Wes Anderson Tribute Show @ Spoke Art

Posted by sleepboy, November 4, 2012

Marking the third time (also see 2010) they have had a group show tribute to director Wes Anderson, Spoke Art in San Francisco opened their doors last week to fans of art and film buffs alike. Coinciding annually with Halloween, the opening reception slash costume party featured references to Mr. Anderson’s cult movies so we are sure Bill Murray-inspired pieces and costumes were a hit. It’s on through November 24th so stop by if you have a chance. Photo credit: Art (gallery) & People (Colin M. […]

Overtime: Oct 29 – Nov 4

Posted by Khoi, November 4, 2012

Overtime stories of the week: Jesus backs Pussy Riot on South Park. Galleries in Chelsea suffer damage as a result of Sandy storm. More from Hyperallergic and NY Times. Adam Lindemann’s picture of the devastation caused by Sandy in Chelsea. Sandy forces closures for Broadway, concerts, museums in NYC and mid-Atlantic region of US. Sandy forced the Whitney and dozens of nonprofits to cancel their galas and fundraisers. Sandy inflicted “extensive” damage to National September 11 Memorial, built at World Trade Center site A image […]

Previews: Kevin Peterson & Jacub Gagnon – “Amended” & “More Human Than Human” @ Thinkspace

Posted by sleepboy, November 3, 2012

Tonight at the Thinkspace Gallery in Culver City, there will be showing from Kevin Peterson and Jacub Gagnon (interviewed). For his part, Peterson has brought a set of new works with him entitled Amended, all featuring his portraits of innocence, oftentime represented by children, superimposed over gritty of urban landscapes. For this exhibition, some of his works have an almost retro feel to them with old school adverts and logos inserted to add an extra layer to his narrative. Alongside him, More Human Than Human will fill the project room with Jacub Gagnon’s (interviewed) clever […]