Low Brow & Pop Surrealism « Arrested Motion

Tag Archives: Low Brow & Pop Surrealism

Openings: Chie Yoshii & Casey Curran – “In The Darkness of Mere Being” & “Indeterminate Apotheosis” @ Roq La Rue

Posted by x43x, July 13, 2014

In The Darkness of Mere Being, Chie Yoshii’s first solo show, opened at Roq la Rue in Seattle on July 3rd. Titled after a quote from the great Carl Jung, the art explores many of the Swiss psychotherapist’s hypotheses about the psyche and our subconscious – rich colors emerging from the darkened forest to subjects bathed in moon light. Individuality was a large part of Jung’s work in psychology, and is represented here by a different animal in each piece. While some are bold and dominant, […]

Previews: Interesni Kazki – “Inter Arma Silent Musae” @ Studio Cromie

Posted by SAL, July 11, 2014

Ukrainian art duo Interesni Kazki are currently in Italy where they are adding the final touches to their newest body of work for the upcoming Inter Arma Silent Musae show with Studio Cromie. The show opens on the 12th of July. The turbulent situation in their homeland caused the artists to put their works on hold and literally stop creating new art. The strong tension during the revolution and the pre-war surroundings just stopped their creative energy, and forced them to put down their brushes and paint […]

Showing: Kenichi Yokono – “The New Suburbs” @ Mark Moore Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, July 9, 2014

Currently at the Mark Moore Gallery in Los Angeles, Japanese artist Kenichi Yokono has a show on view entitled The New Suburbs. The new collection of painted wood carvings are a continuation of what he presented with the same gallery back in 2011 (covered), and are fine examples of Yokono’s modern take on traditional woodcutting. Sourcing the grotesque and mundane from his native country’s culture, the intricate pieces deal with “notions of globalization and consumerism with the overwhelming cuteness (or kawaii) found in popular Japanese […]

Rewind: Jun 15 – Jul 6

Posted by sleepboy, July 7, 2014

As we share another Rewind feature with you today, you’ll notice the collection of art related videos headlined by a trailer for documentary titled Tim’s Vermeer (via Colossal). The film follows the attempts of a computer graphics specialist, who has no background in art, to duplicate a painting by Vermeer by recreating the room and props the Dutch painter used. Then, the premise that Vermeer used mechanical means to assist in his paintings can be put to the test. Take a look at the intriguing video […]

Previews: Edwin Ushiro – “Gathering Whispers” @ Giant Robot 2

Posted by sleepboy, July 7, 2014

Last we covered a solo show from Edwin Ushiro (interviewed), it was 2013 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles where an amazing piece caught our eye. Come July 12th, the locally-based artist with a unique creative process will be opening an exhibition at Giant Robot 2 entitled Gathering Whispers featuring new and old work. We look forward to seeing the ethereal and luminous imagery from Ushiro again in person as he explores his memories of childhood summer moments on Maui. He explains – “This series captures my […]

Upcoming: Audrey Kawasaki @ Merry Karnowsky Gallery

Posted by sleepboy, July 3, 2014

It will be a little over three years when Audrey Kawasaki (interviewed) returns to the Merry Karnowsky Gallery, the site of her show in Los Angeles in 2011 (covered). Judging from these in progress shots, the new body of work will continue her series of exquisite female portraits on wood, letting the surface speak to her as she incorporates the grains and textures. The opening is scheduled for August 2nd and will also feature work from Tara McPherson & Deedee Cheriel on the same night. Discuss […]

Streets / World Tour: Jeff Soto (Bordeaux, France)

Posted by sleepboy, July 1, 2014

Southern California native, Jeff Soto (interviewed), recently traveled to Bordeaux, France where he had a chance to work on several art-related projects. First up is this wall he painted for the Darwin project and Spacejunk, his fourth mural in France (also see Lyon here & here). The Riverside-based artist took care to incorporate local graffiti into his mural featuring some old school imagery, expertly painting on the difficult corrugated siding. In the back, he also took 20 mins to do some quick lettering, getting back to […]

The Jeremy Fishing Contest

Posted by sleepboy, July 1, 2014

For those Jeremy Fish fans out there – the Bay Area-based artist has teamed up with Upper Playground to launch a fishing contest for the summertime with the prize being signed copies of his recent book Happily Ever After for each of the three categories as well as an original drawing for the biggest fish. He explains – “BIGGEST FISH WINS! Its summertime dudes, time to skip summer school, or quit your job and go fishing. Coming from a long line of fisherdudes, artist Jeremy Fish would […]

Showing: “Knock Knock” @ Galerie Javier Lopez

Posted by sleepboy, June 30, 2014

Last Thursday, Javier Lopez Gallery, presented the Knock Knock group show exhibition to fans in Spain. It featured works from contemporary artists whose work is influenced by comics like Kaws, Faile, Yoshitomo Nara, and comic artists themselves like Vanderbroucke & El Roto as well as underground comic visionaries, Robert Crumb, or graphic novel artists like Art Spiegelman and Chris Ware. In the upper floor of this wonderful gallery located in the outskirts of Madrid, there was a simple and amazing Snoopy Kaws acrylic on board right next to […]

Openings: Jacub Gagnon – “World’s Collide” @ Thinkspace

Posted by sleepboy, June 27, 2014

Last weekend, AM stopped by Thinkspace to check out the almost sold-out solo from Jacub Gagnon (interviewed) entitled World’s Collide. Painted against a black background, the surreal portraits of his chosen creatures really pop and seem even more vivid. Full of whimsy and imaginative touches, you can see the Toronto-based artist thought carefully about each element of the pieces, from title to composition. Take a look at more photos from the opening below. Discuss this show here. Discuss Jacub Gagnon here.