Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Tag Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

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 […]

Overtime: Aug 1 – Aug 7

Posted by Khoi, August 7, 2016

More stories from the week that ended Aug 7 (click on bolded words for more information): Artnet shares some art-filled day trips from NYC. Ben Medansky’s studio and everything in it lost to fire in Downtown Los Angeles. LA Times writes about the gentrification resistance in Boyle Heights centered around art galleries. Will Zika concerns be a major issue during the Miami art fairs in December? Justin Giarla leaves San Francisco as artists, collectors, and others discuss financial disputes with the dealer. Lenora Claire fighting to change archaic […]

Openings: Guillermo del Toro – “At Home With Monsters” @ LACMA

Posted by sleepboy, August 6, 2016

Legendary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (renowned for movies such as Hell Boy, Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, and Crimson Peak) opened At Home With Monsters last weekend at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). We got the chance to take a peek at all the toys he keeps in Bleak House, his second museum – like home that mainly stores all his props and what keeps him inspired. When we spoke to the show’s curator Britt Salvesen, she said it took them two days to clear out […]

SDCC ’16: South Park 20th Anniversary Art Show

Posted by sleepboy, August 4, 2016

During this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, adult animated sitcom South Park hosted a 20th anniversary art show as part of their South Park 20 experience. Curated by Ron English, many of the participants are of course known to readers of AM including Buff Monster, Anthony Ausgang, Sas Christian, RISK, Kenny Scharf, Faile, and more. Take a look at more photos below… Photo credit: Birdman Photos.

Releases: James Jean – “Zugzwang” Catalog

Posted by sleepboy, August 3, 2016

On August 9th (8 am PST), James Jean (interviewed) will be releasing a catalog of his show last year in Japan at Hidari Zingaro Gallery (covered). Curated by Takashi Murakami, the work for the exhibition in Tokyo was entitled Zugzwang, which now will be documented fully in this 80 page publication. Also included will be process images as well as related exploratory and ancillary works from the period. Seen here is the ultra limited (3 copies) Art Edition for $1000 which features a “custom-engineered cloth case with a magnetic enclosure that […]

Openings: Cinta Vidal – “Gravities” @ Thinkspace

Posted by sleepboy, August 2, 2016

A couple weekends ago at Thinkspace, new paintings from Cinta Vidal collectively entitled Gravities were unveiled in their project room. The small selection of works featured her signature gravity defying globe like structures and their inhabitants. There was also a piece with a field of floating furniture which was mirrored by similar imagery on a wall mural the Spanish artist painted for the exhibition. Photo credit: Birdman Photos. Discuss Cinta Vidal here.

Showing: Eishi Takaoka – “Socks” @ Giant Robot 2

Posted by sleepboy, July 31, 2016

Continuing his longstanding relationship with Giant Robot, Eishi Takaoka is currently showing a new body of work entitled Socks at their gallery location – GR2 in Los Angeles. The Japanese artist’s serene head sculptures usually include something sprouting or interacting with their faces, oftentimes carved from one piece of wood. These extrusions are outwardly manifestations of his bottled up emotions and hidden frustrations with lower middle class life in Japan. Discuss Eishi Takaoka here.

Overtime: July 25 – July 31

Posted by Khoi, July 31, 2016

More stories from the week that ended July 31 (click on bolded words for more information): Piston Head II show, including a car by Richard Prince (above), comes to Venus Over Los Angeles. RIP: S.H. Raza, who passed away at the age of 94. RIP: Anne Chu, who passed away at the age of 57 due to cancer. RIP: Wendy Snyder MacNeil, who passed away at the age of 72. The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Hawaii faces financial troubles and leadership scandal. How political instability is […]

Art Focus: Pawel Kuczynski

Posted by sleepboy, July 29, 2016

For our latest Art Focus feature, we turn our attention to Polish artist Pawel Kuczynski. As you can see from some examples here, the award winning cartoonist’s work dealing with technology and its effect on modern society was what caught our eye, especially his latest piece referencing the Pokémon Go phenomenon. His satirical illustrations touch on other topics too so if you are interested in seeing more, you can take a look at his shop and/or website. Tipped off by @hifructosemag.