Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Category Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Upcoming: Yoskay Yamamoto – “In Between The Dreams” @ Giant Robot 2

Posted by sleepboy, August 17, 2016

Following up on a solo there in 2014 (covered), Yoskay Yamamoto (interviewed) will be opening a showing at Giant Robot 2 this Saturday, August 20th. Entitled In Between The Dreams, the exhibition looks to feature more of the locally-based artist’s recent work including sculptural pieces his iconic faces, as well his sunset inspired paintings and drawings. Discuss Yoskay Yamamoto here.

Openings: “Juxtapoz x Superflat” @ Pivot Art

Posted by sleepboy, August 17, 2016

Earlier this month, the Juxtapoz x Superflat group show opened at Pivot Art, giving art enthusiasts in Seattle a chance to see work from a stellar roster of artists. Showing at the same time as the Seattle Art Fair, the exhibition was co-curated by the arts & culture magazine and Takashi Murakami. Participants included Chiho Aoshima, Urs Fischer, Kazunori Hamana, James Jean, JH Kagaku, Friedrich Kunath, Takashi Murakami, Kazumi Nakamura, Otani Workshop, Mark Ryden, David Shrigley, Katsuya Terada, a selection from Toilet Paper Magazine, Yuji Ueda, He Xiang Yu, Zoer & Velvet, Trenton Doyle […]

James Jean x TBWA\Paris – AIDES Campaign

Posted by sleepboy, August 15, 2016

After working with Apple to promote their new Pencil stylus, James Jean (interviewed) decided to harness the new technology for his latest project. The second Saturday of August of every year is International Swingers Day (common knowledge of course) – so to mark the occasion, Jean was commissioned by TBWA\Paris to create a special image for AIDES, the leading HIV/AIDS organization in France. He decided due to limited space and time constraints to execute the piece while on the road in the Japan on his iPad. Discuss James Jean here.

Overtime: Aug 8 – Aug 14

Posted by Khoi, August 14, 2016

More stories from the week that ended Aug 14 (click on bolded words for more information): Nicolas Party’s Pathway comes to Dallas Museum of Art. RIP: Betsy Davis, who passed away at the age of 41 via doctor-assisted suicide after hosting two-day party. RIP: Ernst Neizvestny, who passed away at the age of 91. RIP: The Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, who passed away at the age of 64. Museum visitor interaction with works and subsequent vandalistic acts a rising concern. The Guardian also writes about vandalism fears. […]

Openings: Karla Ortiz – “Chimerical” @ Spoke Art

Posted by sleepboy, August 13, 2016

Last week, Spoke Art in San Francisco proudly presented a debut solo show from Karla Ortiz (seen below) entitled Chimerical. The display of new illustrations and paintings from the locally-based artist featured a selection haunting works drawing from her experience as a concept artist in the gaming and film industries. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm and other mythological stories, Ortiz’s storytelling talents are evident as viewers are drawn into the narrative as they stand gazing at her pieces. Rounding out the exhibition are a series of studies. Photo credit: Zach Sumner.

Upcoming: Mark Whalen – “Around The Bend” @ Chalkhorse

Posted by sleepboy, August 11, 2016

Tonight in Sydney, Mark Whalen (featured) will be opening a new solo show at Chalk Horse entitled Around The Bend. Continuing to refine his technique and evolve his art, the Australian born artist takes his work to the next level with shaped canvases featuring entangled characters and objects. These complement nicely his recognizable resined paintings with related imagery that continue his satirical commentary of modern society. Discuss Mark Whalen here.

Releases: Luke Chueh Hand Painted Masks

Posted by sleepboy, August 10, 2016

On August 22nd, Luke Chueh (interviewed) will be releasing several variations of a mask based on his iconic sad bear character. Set to be available through 1xRUN, they were created and hand painted personally by the Los Angeles-based artist while in Detroit for a show (covered) at Inner State Gallery earlier this year. Mounted and ready to be hung, they will cost $350 each and come in 4 colors including White, Black, Red, and Blue. Discuss Luke Chueh here.

Upcoming: No Commission Art Fair (New York)

Posted by sleepboy, August 9, 2016

Between August 11 – 14, Swizz Beatz has organized an art fair at his birthplace – South Bronx in New York. Presented by The Dean Collection & Bacardi, the No Commission Art Fair is just that – a platform where artists are given free exhibition space to sell their work with no commission charged (a followup to the Art Basel Miami event last year). Participants include: Nina Chanel Abney, Derrick Adams, John Ahearn, Ricardo Cavolo, Luigi Cazzaniga, Sandra Chevrier, Alyssa Dennis, Delphine Diallo, Faile (seen setting […]

SDCC ’16: Robert Burden

Posted by sleepboy, August 9, 2016

During the annual extravaganza known as San Diego Comic-Con, there often isn’t as much art-related options for fans besides perhaps toys and figures designed by some of their favorite artists. However, there are sometimes little surprises of intersecting interests – one of which was a booth by artist Robert Burden. The San Francisco-based painter is known for his dedication to painting many of the action figures and vintage toys that he played with in his youth overlaying various patterns drawn from Gothic stained glass, French tapestry, Persian […]

Openings: “Death and the Maiden 2” & Femke Hiemstra – “The Sand Castle Battle and Other Tales” @ Roq la Rue

Posted by x43x, August 9, 2016

Well folks, this is it. The swan song as the sun sets on Roq la Rue, one of the most influential galleries of low brow turned pop surrealism and new contemporary the scene has ever seen. Owner Kirsten Anderson has decided that after eighteen years, it’s time to begin a new adventure in the name of the nameless, starting a non-profit to aid in the protection of animals that are illegally hunted and poached. Her philanthropy has spilled into several animal benefit shows over the […]