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Tag Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Upcoming: Mark Dean Veca @ Western Project

On October 18, Western Project in Los Angeles will be welcoming back (see 2010) local artist Mark Dean Veca (interviewed) for a showing of his new works. Rendered with his distinctive “Toile de Jouy” like patterns, iconic characters from pop culture take on a fresh new form and meaning as he oftentimes twists familiar imagery for social commentary. For now, enjoy this newest piece featuring Veca’s version of the well-loved animated character – Taz. Discuss Mark Dean Veca here.

Previews: Femke Hiemstra – “Warten am Waldrand” @ Roq La Rue Gallery

Dutch artist and illustrator Femke Hiemstra (featured) returns to Roq La Rue Gallery for a shared solo alongside Casey Weldon (featured) on Thursday, August 7th. Titled Warten am Waldrand or Waiting at The Edge of the Forest, this is her 7th show with the Seattle gallery. Included in the exhibition are graphite drawings, painted vintage book covers, and pieces on found antique objects, part of her recognizable, signature types of works. All framed in vintage frames bought at flea markets and restored by her father, this body of work is a sequel to the […]

Openings: Audrey Kawasaki – “Hirari Hirari” @ Merry Karnowsky Gallery

Working with an expanded palette and new provocative imagery, Audrey Kawasaki (interviewed) gave her fans what they wanted and more with her new solo show. Entitled Hirari Hirari, the sold out exhibition held at Merry Karnowsky Gallery, took the locally-based painter’s portraiture up a notch with her flawless feminine forms. Embellished with elaborate flora and fauna, the new body of work was full of vibrant hues and had people lining up to get into the packed space till the end of the night. Discuss this […]

Studio Visits/Previews: Casey Weldon – “Novel Relic” @ Roq la Rue

Nestled deep in the foothills of the Cascades, Casey Weldon paints diligently to finish up several pieces for his solo show Novel Relic, opening at the Roq la Rue Gallery in Seattle on August 7th. Themes of nature and old technology collide with a color palette borrowed directly from the television color bars seen in several pieces. The serene scenery around the lakeside property has had a heavy influence in these new paintings, as a native flower morphs into a gramophone and ferns become television […]

Streets: Jeff Soto (Los Angeles) – Part II

As is often the case with public murals when released into the streets, local writers will add their own “opinions” directly onto the works. This is what happened almost immediately to the Jeff Soto (interviewed) wall that was painted in South Central last week (covered) as you can see above. Take a look below he returned to touch up the piece, changing his iconic owl into one of his signature cats in the process… Discuss Jeff Soto here.

Previews: Audrey Kawasaki – “Hirari Hirari” @ Merry Karnowsky Gallery

This Saturday night (August 2nd), Merry Karnowsky Gallery in Los Angeles will be presenting new works from Audrey Kawasaki (interviewed) entitled Hirari Hirari. Fans of the locally-based painter will be sure to pack the house (make sure you RSVP – [email protected]) to get a closer look at her provocative and stunning portraiture, rendered so seamlessly on wood that the grain looks to have become part of the imagery. Like three years ago, she will be opening her show (covered) alongside two other artists in the spacious gallery […]

Upcoming: Dan Quintana & Karen Hsiao – “Perverse Foil” @ Marcas Gallery

On August 2nd, the Marcas Gallery in Orange County will be opening Perverse Foil, a collaborative exhibition between painter Dan Quintana and photographer Karen Hsiao. Admirers of each other’s work since 2009, the two artist decided to collaborate on a show when they noticed similarities between Quintana’s figures and Hsiao’s models. Along with individual works, they will also be presenting joint creative efforts (like the one seen below) including Hsiao shooting her subjects live in front of an elaborate backdrop created by Quintana and hour before the opening […]

Interviews: Chris Valkov – ‘The (sub)Natural Balance’ @ Antler Gallery

Portland-based artist Chris Valkov follows up last year’s solo exhibition at Breeze Block Gallery (covered) with a new body of work entitled The (sub)Natural Balance this week at Portland’s Antler Gallery. Thematically challenging anti-consumerism and ecological topics, his bold work is visually striking with the architectural style he employs within his painting work. AM caught up with Chris to ask a few questions ahead of the show which opens on Thursday, the 31st of July. Arrested Motion (AM): Can you explain a little about your background […]

Upcoming: Esao Andrews – “Epilogues” @ Jonathan LeVine Gallery

On October 11, Esao Andrews will be opening his second solo show (see 2010) with Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York entitled Epilogues. The new body of work or work “explores allegorical scenes of homecomings, focusing on a journey’s end” and will feature conclusions to some of the narrative threads the Los Angeles-based artist has explored in the past with his dream-like paintings. Attendees of the exhibition will be impressed, like us, with his surreal artistic vision, often times dark and beautiful at the same […]

Openings: Gary Baseman – “The Door is Always Open” @ Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei

Last month, Gary Baseman (interviewed) opened a comprehensive retrospective show at the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei. Entitled The Door Is Always Open, the exhibition mirrored the delightful showing of the same name last year in Los Angeles (covered). Along with over 500 selected pieces, his largest collection of work in one place yet, the opening also included an art performance with his “WildGirls” with a new dance and musical composition. Check out more photos below… Discuss Gary Baseman here.