I was at Carl Solway Gallery a few weeks back, and was really impressed with this installation piece by Brooklyn-based artist Jason Rogenes. "Stargazer 5.10," is made from manufactured Styrofoam packing inserts, and backlit with florescent tube lighting.

Jason Rogenes

Labels: artist, Carl Solway Gallery, fine art, gallery, Jason Rogenes, sculpture

Bear with me on this one. First, Click Here to read a review of my two-person exhibition at Carriage Estate Gallery in London Ontario. Make sure you peruse the review before you read any further...


Did you read it?


Seems like an interesting show, huh? It is entirely 100% phony. Seriously.

I have never heard of, or exhibited at Carriage Estate Gallery. I was not familiar with, nor have ever spoken with the other artist, Jenny Kanzler.

I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or flattered, and I can't decide whether to treat this as a joke or a serious offense. Why anyone would go through the trouble of researching and writing a 700-word essay for a fake art exhibition seems to be the 64,000 dollar question.

Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. I can only guess that Jenny was unaware of this show as well, so if you would like to check out her work, the link is provided below.

Jenny Kanzler

Labels: fake-ass Carriage Estate Gallery, gallery, Jenny Kanzler, Tom Davie

I've been a fan of Dettmer's work for a while because it integrates a few of my favorite things: typography, old books, 19th century engravings, collage and craftsmanship. Toomey Tourell Fine Art in San Francisco has a nice image collection of his work, although you will need to scroll down to the bottom of the page to see them. Most definitely worth a look.

Brian Dettmer via Toomey Tourell Fine Art

Labels: artist, books, Brian Dettmer, fine art, gallery, Toomey Tourell

Self-taught artist and Beautiful Losers contributor Phil Frost created some killer work for his recent exhibition at NYC's Jonathan LeVine Gallery. Good stuff.

Phil Frost at Jonathan LeVine Gallery

Labels: artist, fine art, gallery, Jonathan LeVine Gallery, Phil Frost

During my travels this week, the work of artist Nick Cave was mentioned during a dinner conversation. I wasn’t familiar with his work, so I wrote the name on a napkin, and decided to check him out when I had the chance — and I’m certainly glad I did. The installation images of his recent Soundsuits exhibition at Jack Shainman Gallery are phenomenal.

Nick Cave at Jack Shainman Gallery

Labels: artist, fine art, gallery, Jack Shainman Gallery, Nick Cave

If you are into 18th to 20th century Japanese Woodblock Prints, then this is a site you will want to bookmark. The Japan Print Gallery in London has an excellent online collection of Japanese prints by some of the period’s most recognizable artists.

I only wish they provided a thumbnail preview, because unless you are an art historian or collector of Japanese prints, it is quite a lot of work to search through without a reference point. The gallery did a great job on the documentation of the work — the color and image sizes are spot-on.

The Japan Print Gallery

Labels: fine art, gallery, Japanese Woodblock Prints, resource, The Japan Print Gallery

bitforms gallery in NYC has put together an impressive group of represented artists that have a nice range of complimentary styles.

The gallery “is devoted to emerging and established artists who embrace new media and contemporary art practice - resulting in new languages and artistic experiences”.

The work pictured above is by C.E.B. Reas.

bitforms gallery

Labels: artist, bitforms gallery, c.e.b. reas, fine art, gallery

I received a special request asking me to post a link to Brooklyn-based artist KAWS — and by special request I mean, “Dude, you should do a post about that guy who does those sweet Sponge Bob paintings.”

Ask and ye shall receive.

Here is a link to 24 of his works via Gering & Lopez Gallery in NYC.

KAWS at Gering & Lopez Gallery

Labels: artist, fine art, gallery, Gering and Lopez Gallery, illustration, KAWS

I first saw Dave Kinsey’s work back in 1999, when I was living in San Diego. If you’re unfamiliar with his style, it’s an immensely fascinating combination of expressive painting, line illustration and contemporary design dealing with urban and figurative subject matter. I can remember being immediately taken by the work — as both its scale and technical skill were undeniable.

In addition to being an accomplished artist, Kinsey is also founder of BLK/MRKT, an LA gallery that now specializes in print editions.

Dave Kinsey

Labels: artist, BLK/MRKT, Dave Kinsey, fine art, gallery

If you have an interest in the works of Miró, then this is a link you’ll want to bookmark. Weinstein Gallery in San Francisco has a high-quality collection of Miró etchings and prints from 1936 to 1979, including the above work, “Femme et chien devant la lune.”

Miró prints at Weinstein Gallery

Labels: artist, fine art, gallery, Joan Miró, Weinstein Gallery

Nashville’s Smallest Art Gallery, is not your typical brick-and-mortar establishment — in fact, it’s not really an establishment at all. The gallery consists entirely of a formerly neglected, graffiti-covered display case that now showcases “exhibitions” featuring small works of art.

I like the concept, seems like a clever appropriation of that which has been forgotten and abandoned.

Nashville’s Smallest Art Gallery

Labels: gallery, Nashville’s Smallest Art Gallery

I was doing a bit of gallery research this morning, and came across these super-interesting wall sculptures by Neal Rock. In case you were wondering, they are made of pigmented silicone.

Neal Rock at Kontainer Gallery

Labels: artist, fine art, gallery, Neal Rock

I recently came across the work of Indian artists + designers Thukral & Tagra, and was really impressed with their work. Their style is an interesting mix of realism, pop culture, patterning and contemporary design. Based on the painting dimensions, the work appears to be life-sized, and I would imagine the pieces are quite engaging in a gallery setting. Here is a nice group of paintings at Bose Pacia...

Thukral & Tagra

Labels: artist, Bose Pacia, fine art, gallery, graphic design, Thukral and Tagra

I first viewed Henry Darger’s work several years ago, at which time I knew he was an outsider artist who had a tendency to illustrate little girls with male genitalia. I thought the work was interesting and memorable, but never gave it much thought beyond that.

As it so happens, I recently came across an article discussing Darger’s life, art and writing — and as an entire package, his story is really a fascinating one. I have linked to his artist page at Hammer Gallery, which offers the best combination of information and large work samples. You will appreciate the art significantly more, if you read Darger’s history and life chronology at the bottom of the page first.

Darger at Hammer Gallery

Labels: artist, fine art, gallery, Henry Darger

There are brilliant ideas...good ideas...bad ideas...and unbelievable head-scratchers. This concept might be so shallow; it aspires to belong in the latter group. A Yale art student allegedly decided to self-inseminate and self-induce multiple miscarriages — in order to display the discharge as her senior art project. Not only would the viewer get to see the miscarriage remains, but she filmed the events, and planned on projecting the videos as well.

The concept was apparently approved, or at least condoned by two faculty members, and was planned to go forward, until the university caught wind of the project through national media, and banned it from exhibition.

I’m all for a good debate, and as inappropriate as this piece is, I may have been able to tolerate it based on the artist’s intentions — but when she gives an interview and her two statements are, that the concept was not intended for “shock value”, and that she “hopes it inspires some sort of discourse”, you know what — screw her.

Perhaps this is just a hoax, or a performance piece, or maybe she wilted under university and media scrutiny. Who knows? But I do know that my views on art are about as liberal as they come, and in my estimation, this “project” is utter crap. Tell me you had an abortion to show the world how unbelievably cruel it is...tell me you chose this project as a penance, because you had an abortion and haven’t been able to live with yourself since. Tell me something of substance — anything — to “inspire discourse” just doesn’t cut it. You know what, just tell me you’re an immature hack douche bag, and leave it at that.

Yale art

Labels: article, fine art, gallery

(Stephen Geddes’ church and state, S.O.S. 2005)

I recently received this call for artist participation from Saad Ghosn — who is a wonderful supporter of Cincinnati’s visual arts, and the organizer of a yearly exhibition of sociopolitical expressions for peace and justice. S.O.S. ART is one of the most anticipated and well-attended shows of the year, so if you are a Cincinnati artist, I encourage you to participate. Here is what you need to know:

CALL TO GREATER CINCINNATI ARTISTS

“SOS ART 2008”, May 30 – June 8,
The Art Academy of Cincinnati
1212 Jackson St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

1) “SOS ART 2008”, a group art show and event of sociopolitical expressions for peace and justice, in its 6th consecutive year, will take place at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, May 30 – June 8, 2008.
2) Greater Cincinnati Artists of all expressions (visual, verbal, musical, cinematographic, etc.) are invited to participate.
3) Below (as a “word” attachment) is an artist submission form geared to the visual art component of the event. Artists of other expressions, please submit your proposal by an e mail return message.
4) Deadline for receipt of application is May 12, 2008.
5) All submissions will be considered and all works will be included provided they adhere to the theme of the show, are inclusive and space permits.
6) If you need additional information, have questions or suggestions, please contact: saad.ghosn@uc.edu or at 216 Erkenbrecher, Cincinnati, OH 45229.

Submission Form

Labels: cincinnati, fine art, gallery, S.O.S. ART, Saad Ghosn

If your three favorite things are paintings, girls and tattoos, then Shawn Barber’s new body of work will definitely kick your tires and light your fires.

His series, Tattooed Portraits, integrates a masterful mix of artistic emotion, confident technique and outstanding color palette. Each painting takes on the personality and attitude of the subject; however, the constant flow of tattoos helps to keep the paintings visually interesting and unified under the series theme. Overall, it’s really an impressive body of work.

Tattooed Portraits, is currently being exhibited at The Shooting Gallery, San Francisco.

Shawn Barber

Labels: artist, fine art, gallery, Shawn Barber, The Shooting Gallery

Apparently “a woman scorned” is not above seeking legal council against a cheating ex-boyfriend who decided to photograph angry break-up e-mails, in a new body of work called, “I. Hate. You. Letters to a Cheating Boyfriend”. Photographer Doug Sanford’s work is currently on display at Fraser Gallery of Bethesda, Maryland. The work itself is okay, but what I find interesting is the copyright struggle between the disgruntled couple. She claims ownership of her words, as a professional writer, and is of the opinion that she is entitled to any proceeds gained through sale of the work.

He claims that he is not suggesting to be the author, however, he does claim ownership of the work based on the facts that he printed the work, cropped it through photography and blurred and omitted certain aspects of the words. It should also be noted that he keeps her identity protected throughout the body of work.

An independent lawyer who was consulted, ultimately believes that Sanford is the rightful owner of the work, saying Sanford, “may not be able to claim authorship rights in the underlying text of the e-mail, he may have a copyright in the unique photographic image he created because of the way he has put it together...That’s all his artistic expression and interpretation.”

Gosh, this story wraps me in a warm blanket of love.

Washington City Paper article

Labels: article, artist, Doug Sanford, gallery, photography

Sculpture is not a medium I follow closely, or often get excited about, but the work of Ron Mueck has me thinking I should pay closer attention. Mueck's sculptures are made of fiberglass resin, and appear so life-like, I'm not sure photo-realism is an adequate classifier. His use of scale and subject matter are fantastic, and the work is undeniably first-rate. As an example of scale, the baby head below is 7 feet tall, in other word(s), ginormous.

The first link contains work samples as represented by James Cohen Gallery; the second link contains exhibition photos from the Washington Post, which show viewers interacting with the work (great for scale reference).

Ron Mueck

Mueck Exhibition Photos

Labels: article, artist, fine art, gallery, Ron Mueck

I became aware of Philippe Pasqua’s work several months ago, and have been fascinated with it since. The oversize portraits are haunting in their use of texture and color, and the flat white background creates a beautiful stark contrast to the image. Even more amazing, is that Pasqua is self-taught. I guess he successfully debunks the myth that it requires thousands of dollars in student loans to be a phenomenal artist. I can’t wait to see more.

Philippe Pasqua

Labels: artist, fine art, gallery, Philippe Pasqua