Show Opening: Shawn Barber - "Memoir: Tattooed Portrait Series" @ Joshua Liner Gallery, NYC

Shawn Barber opened his latest solo show last night at Joshua Liner Gallery in NYC entitled "Memoir: The Tattooed Portraits Series,” an exhibition of 25 new paintings by the Los Angeles-based artist. The exhibition was presented in conjunction with the limited edition hardcover release of Memoir: The Tattooed Portraits Series book. This is the third volume in Barber’s ongoing series documenting the world and artistry of contemporary tattoo.

Making appearences are portraits of some of the tattoo world’s heaviest hitters with the likes of Grime, Don Ed Hardy, Hannah Atichison and Shige to name but a few. The Shige piece is truly stunning in person taking up three large panels and measuring in at 6-x-9-feet,  Barber’s Portrait of the Japanese artist(2010–12) is a panorama with nine full-length views of the tattooist, rendered in the nude to reveal the majesty of his own bodily canvas.  It’s worth noting that the work is Barber’s largest piece to date.

On the other end of the gallery a large canvas showcasing  James Spencer Briggs at Work on Aaron Wahlman (2011–12) offers its audience a window into the processes, and protocols of a tattoo parlor with its masterful rendering of the tattooists intricate paraphernalia and the clients intense and personal experience.

Shawn Barber - "James Spencer Briggs at Work" Oil on Canvas 2012 48 x 60 in.

The galleries second room offers a wall lined up with a series of small still life’s that isolate the distinctive hardware of specific tattoo artists, such as Daily Driver, Micky Sharpz Liner Machine and Single Needle Shader (2012), these pieces are a window into the personalized and distinctive tools used by the masters that are rarely seen in public. Hanging in the center of the same room is Abstracted Self Portrait (2010–12) which pairs multiple views of Shawn’s arms and other limbs in motion as free-floating examples of contemporary ink, it’s worth noting that the piece showcase’s a brighter pallet from Shawn than I am used to seeing.

Shawn Barber - "Abstracted Self Portrait" Oil on Canvas 2012 36 x 68 in.

Other works include an intimate moment captured in time between tattooist  Jason Kundell and his daughter Lula, a head study of fellow painter and tattooist Henry Lewis and both a macro and mico take on Freddy Corbin’s “temple.”

Shawn’s latest, beautifully put together book was also up for grabs, it displays the current exhibition in full and pretty much every other major work from the artist since his last publication was released.  A loving forward by actress/comedian Margaret Cho and and NeedlesandSins.com blogger, Marisa Kakoulas, who provides the volume’s introduction, serve as a great opening to this limited, signed and numbered (edition of 100,) hardcover coffee table book.

Shawn Barber - "Memoir: The Tattooed Portraits Series" Hardcover Book, 2012.

Those who attended the opening were treated to a very friendly and open Barber who was only too happy to pose for pictures and discuss the work with his many fans… and with the theme of the works being tattoos you know the crowed themselves were walking canvas all worth admiring in their own right!

Memoir: The Tattooed Portraits Series will be on display till July 28th, make sure you brave the summer heat and make it down to the gallery in the next month for some truly inspirational work.

Shawn Barber - "Memoir: Tattooed Portrait Series" @ Joshua Liner Gallery, NYC - slide show

Preview: Shawn Barber @ Joshua Liner Gallery, NYC

Shawn barber – “Hannah Aitchison Hands Study 1”  2012, (oil on panel) 24" x 18"

Shawn Barber is gearing up for his next solo show at JoshuaLiner Gallery in NYC, "Memoir: The Tattooed Portraits Series,” and we have some video footage and photography to share with you before the June 28th opening. I’m a big fan of Shawn’s tattoo portraits and am always excited when a new collection of work is readying to launch. I was lucky enough to get an early preview some months back on the then almost completed paintings that feature some of the tattoo worlds biggest and most loved figures. With new portraits of legends like Ed Hardy to cult hero’s like Grime and one time tv personality, Hanna Aitchison, there is no shortage of breath taking oil work to be had. Barber also went very big with this show featuring some of the painters’ largest pieces to date. Check out the video below (beats provided by Aesop Rock) and make sure to pass by the gallery once the show opens to see the real thing if you live in or are around the NYC area. 

Video: Jeremy Fish Lecture at SFAI- May 2, 2012

SFAI alumnus and local artist Jeremy Fish returned to Chestnut Street to celebrate the end of the 2011-2012 academic year and discuss the development of his career as a painter and illustrator. In the 40 minute video Jeremy discusses how he got into illustration, the influence of skateboarding and his ongoing relationship with the industry, his time studying and working at SFAI, the relationships he developed early on in SF’s gallery scene, the city’s rich history, the stories behind some of his works, his collaborations with Indonesian wood carver Nyoman Sedayatana, an amazing story about Mike Giant and much more. I’ve met Jeremy several times and he’s a super sweet and interesting cat to talk to, the lecture is well worth your time so grab a drink, kick back and do your self a favor and watch the whole thing. Presented by The History and Theory of Contemporary Art Department.

Show Opening: Kris Kuksi – “Triumph" @ Joshua Liner Gallery, NYC

Kansas based artist Kris Kuksi opened his latest show, Triumph, at Joshua Liner Gallery last night to a large crowd of very excited fans. Kris is probably most well known these days for his mixed-media sculpture, and large-scale installations although traditionally Kris would call himself a painter having first established himself in the medium of canvas and brush. Triumph is Kuksi’s third solo outing with the gallery and the most diverse presentation of his work to date.

I really can’t accurately describe how amazing Kris’s work is in person, probably the closest choice of words would be breath taking but even that doesn’t quite describe the feeling you get when you first see one of Kris’s works first hand. For my own part I have been eagerly anticipating this show for a very long while now and it still managed to exceed all my expectations.

Kris Kuksi - "Capricorn Rising" Mixed media assemblage 2012 80 x 72 x 22 in.

I got to the gallery a good 30 minutes before the show officially opened to the public, Josh Liner, friendly as ever, proclaimed with a genuine level of excitement that I was going to be the first person to see the show complete. Without wasting any time I pulled out the camera and started to get as many shots in as I could before the masses were due to arrive, only problem was I kept on getting lost in each piece for long periods of time, new details revealing themselves with each angle I shot from. When it was all said and done I spent over 2 hours taking photos of 9 pieces of which two pieces captured my immediate undivided attention. The large scale show stoppers are two of Kris’s finest works if not the finest period,  "Triumph" centers around a woman and prehistoric looking crocodile and the second, "Capricorn Rising," centered around what I believe to be a goat. Each piece was 7 to 8 feet high, 250 pounds in weight and mind blowing in every sense of the word.

“With its cautionary title, Triumph skewers the hubris and folly of human ambition. This cavalcade of epic works references mythology, the occult, and organized religion, and uses age-old techniques of visual storytelling to voice personal angst.”

Kris is the master of depicting epic themes paired with extravagant embellishments, his convergence of small, mass-produced materials, referred to as “kit bashing” traditionally, (although it should be noted that Kris goes way beyond this idea with his compositions) are intrinsically narrative, with an obsessive excess of detail that the viewer could get lost in for hours at a time.

Kris Kuksi -  "Hercules vs. Diana" Mixed media assemblage 2011 28 x 26 x 10 in.

The subject matter of the show fits nicely into Kris’s existing body of work, further exploring religion, allegory, war and the mythological archetypes of man and woman’s shift of balance in the paradigm of life as we know it today. One such piece entitled "David’ With Pride" centered around the story of David and Goliath, Kris took some time to tell me about the piece saying that when creating it he imagined a world where David had developed an ego over his defeat of Goliath almost becoming what he had defeated in the first place leaving others to follow the same fate.

Also featured is the tenth installment in Kuksi’s trenchant Churchtank series. “These constructions suggest an “unholy” resonance between the pious power of organized religions and the self-righteous imperialism of the military-industrial complex.” Though earlier versions have been smaller and, in the last instance, took the evocative form of a bronze edition, this latest Churchtank is a massive, ten-foot installation constructed of wood.

Kris Kuksi - "David with Pride" Mixed media assemblage 2012 31 x 23 x 11 in.

Check out the slide show below and make sure you click directly on it to get a larger view of the 100 plus detailed photos and if you live in or around the New York area make sure you make it to the show in person even if it’s the only one you go to this year.

Running from March 15 to April 7, 2012.

Kris Kuksi - "Triumph" March 15, 2012 Joshua Liner Gallery NYC - slide show

Go Buy This: Tomokazu Matsuyama’s Snow Globes

“Tomokazu Matsuyama’s work is both wild and controlled, figurative, yet abstract, steeped in Japanese iconography – both ancient and contemporary – but also specifically American, cowboys and indians, bucking broncos, and Jackson Pollock. We saw this and thought … let’s make snow globes together. And thus it was born, a unique edition of 30, 8” tall glass and wood snow globes, handmade with acrylics submerged in water, the uniquely Western souvenir as seen through the Japanese born, California bred, New York based, former snowboard professional turned painter and sculptor, Matsuyama.”

Each globe base is signed and numbered by the artist. They go on sale tomorrow (Thursday 2.23.12) at The Standard Shop at The Standard, New York accompanied by a new original painting installed through March 30th. You can also buy one now at ShopTheStandard.com.

Snow Globes by Tomokazu Matsuyama from The Standard Hotel on Vimeo.

Show Opening: “Resolve Artists“ Curated by Tony Curanaj @ Joshua Liner Gallery NYC

Last Thursday saw the opening of “Resolve Artists” the latest show at Joshua Liner Gallery. Resolve, an exhibition of twenty-five emerging and established artists whose work is rooted in classical art traditions and training, was curated by Tony Curanaj. Tony might have started out as a graffiti writer (“SUB”, the founder of the esteemed “D.F.” crew) but his reputation expands far beyond since those early days having worked at Disney as a head designer and painter before his decision to concentrate solely on his love for representational realism started. 

In rendering the figure, still life, or landscape subject, this illustrious group (including twenty-two painters, two sculptors, and one photographer) composed of Anthony Waichulis, Brad Kunkle, Christopher Gallego, Dan Thompson, David Kassan, Edward Minoff, Graydon Parrish, Jacob Collins, Jacob A. Pfeiffer, Jefferson Hayman, Jeremy Mann, Kate Lehman, Kim Cogan Kris Kuksi, Kris Lewis, Lee Misenheimer, Michael Grimaldi, Rob Leecock, Scott Waddell, Shawn Smith, Shawn Barber, Steven Assael, Tony Curanaj, Travis Schlaht and Will Wilson expresses a collective interest in classical art forms with a variety of distinct and decidedly contemporary voices.  

According to curator-artist Tony Curanaj: “This exhibition of colleagues and influences reflects a relatively narrow but varied slice of the art world, and presents it to an audience that may not be exposed to this segment of contemporary art practice. The title Resolve speaks of their determination and progression, qualities that imbue each of these works with beauty and technical virtuosity. From concept to execution, these contemporary masters of their craft are completely engaged in the artist’s process and an artistic direction that is unwavering, regardless of fashion or trend.”

If in the NY area be sure to check out this fantastic show before it closes February 25^th, 2012.

Resolve Artists - Curated by Tony Curanaj @ Joshua Liner Gallery NYC January 26, 2012 - free slideshow

Show Opening: David Ellis - “True Value” @ Joshua Liner Gallery NYC

With his unique blend of humor and technical invention, Brooklyn based artist David Ellis’s latest show “True Value” explores the artists love for music in a variety of art genres and media, including painting, sculpture, and video installation. 

“Animal” captures the creation of large mural works in time-lapse digital video documenting the growth of marks and strokes of pigment on walls, floors, and other surfaces creating a magical balance of sound and image changing and evolving steadily throughout.

On the other side of the gallery there is a beautiful series of paintings on panel and tobacco-stained paper. Preparing the paper himself, the artist used the natural material for pigment as it resonated with his upbringing in Cameron, North Carolina, an area dense with tobacco fields.

In the main area a series of mixed media paintings done on wood panels showcase the artist’s signature motion swirls along side several “number” paintings, one of which has a secret collaboration as the reverse side of the panel is a KR drip painting also signed and dated. Ellis also creates a series of sculptural works including a large installation created in collaboration with Roberto Lange, built of discarded paint cans and buckets that beat a syncopated rhythm, the piece won the acclaimed PULSE Prize at this years PULSE New York Art Fair.

Another series of sculptures see Ellis using album covers mounted in dense stacks on wood, the covers are “recollected” by the artist into gradient color schemes or according to other criteria. Outside of looking quite striking they also offer that added excitement of recognizing albums you might have in your own vinyl collection.

If you are in NYC make sure to pass by the Joshua Liner Gallery to see this show as Ellis’s work is truly original, True Value runs until January 14, 2012.

David Ellis - "True Values" @ Joshua Liner Gallery NYC Dec. 2011 - slideshows

True Value (Paint Fukette) from Joshua Liner Gallery on Vimeo.

Show Opening - "Feathers and Wax" Chloe Early & "Abominations" Ryan McLennan @ Joshua Liner Gallery NYC

We previewed Chloe Early & Ryan McLennan’s joint show at New York’s Joshua Liner Gallery last week and as promised I made it to the opening yesterday evening to experience and report on the magic first hand.  The work from both Chloe and Ryan was first class and was without a doubt some of the strongest work we have seen from either artist to date.  Patrons filled the crowded room brushing shoulders with collectors, friends and art lovers admiring the pieces which will be on view till November 19^th. Enjoy the slideshow below and make sure you make it out to the gallery if you are in the NYC area as photos can never do the real thing justice.

Cloe Early/Ryan McLennan Oct. 20, 2011 JLG NYC - slide show

Preview: Chloe Early & Ryan McLennan Joshua Liner Gallery

Joshua Liner Gallery will be on a hot streak with their October showing, the spooky month brings exhibits from Chloe Early, and Ryan McLennan and will be running from October 20 to November 19, 2011, more coverage to come from the show opening later this month. 

Chloe Early - "Supernova" Oil on Linen 2011 72 x 96"

 

Feathers and Wax, an exhibition of new paintings by the Irish born, London-based artist Chloe Early marks the artist's New York City and Joshua Liner Gallery solo debut.

“Working in oils on linen and aluminum panel, Chloe Early has developed a unique style that is simultaneously lush and raw. The romantic and the gritty meet in her paintings, which tease out a distinctively poetic worldview through the juxtaposition of extremes. At their core is a sensitivity to lyrical feelings and themes-love, beauty, innocence, softness-which collide with more worldly symbols of aggression and degradation, such as bullets, bombs, urban refuse, and ruins.”

Ryan McLennan - "The Immortal" Acrylic and Graphite on paper 2011 52 x 70"

Abominations, an exhibition of new paintings by the Brooklyn-based artist Ryan McLennan is the artist's second solo show with the gallery.

“McLennan's acrylic and graphite on paper works depict the animal kingdom exclusively. But don't be surprised if the subjects' "bad behavior" has an uncanny familiarity. Though the birds, snakes, rodents, and elk carry the authenticity of a dedicated naturalist and master draftsman, their actions are pure allegory for human motives and behavior, some of it of the worse sort.”

Joshua Liner Gallery MS fundraiser and silent auction

Here is a good cause to spend some money on....

Thursday, July 28th, Joshua Liner Gallery will be hosting a fundraiser for assistant gallery director Tim Strazza. Tim was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He is an integral part of this gallery and we want to support him in any way we can. To help with his medical bills and expenses, many gallery artists, several collectors and friends of the gallery have graciously donated works from their personal collections. The event will take place at the gallery from 7 to 10pm and will include music, drinks and a silent auction. Artists who have donated original works and prints include:

Chris Mendoza, Damon Soule, Dave Kinsey, David Ellis, Dennis McNett, El Mac, Evan Hecox, Greg Lamarche, Ian Francis, Jeremy Fish, Kenji Hirata, Mark Dean Veca, Mars-1, Oliver Vernon, Pema Rinzin, Robert Hardgrave, Ron English, Ryan McLennan, Shawn Barber, Shepard Fairey, SWOON, Sylvia Ji, Tat Ito, Tiffany Bozic, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Tony Curanaj.

For more information on the event including absentee bidding, please contact the gallery. You can also make a donation by following this link:

http://strazzafamily.blogspot.com/

  

Please follow this link for a preview of works available during the silent auction: 

http://timartauction.tumblr.com (I have met Tim several times, he's a good guy so while sharing preview links is frowned upon this is an important cause so rules be dammed.)

Show Opening - "Flights of Genius" Stephen "Espo" Powers @ Ogilvy & Mather, NYC

Espo, friend and Josh Liner.



on display in the stairwells of Ogilvy’s Manhattan officescommissioned by Ogilvy & Mather. The murals reinterpret the words and quotes of agency founder David Ogilvy, one of the most influential and important figures in modern advertising.  With Power’s bold graphic style Ogilvy’s famous sayings are transformed into actionable words designed to inspire the viewer as they walk from floor to floor.  The event was first class taking place on the roof of Ogilvy & Mather’s Manhattan offices overlooking the New York Skyline and with an open bar and DJ providing some choice tunes the crowed came in droves.  Enjoy the photo stream of the event below….

Espo - Flights of Genius July 14 2011 NYC - free slideshow

Flights of Genius by Stephen Powers

Tonight I will be attending the premiere of “A Love Letter” a new film from art giant and 80's hip hop hair enthusiast Stephen ESPO Powers in conjunction with Ogilvy & Mather New York and Joshua Liner Gallery. The short film is part documentary part fiction and focus’s on a large scale mural project that ESPO undertook in his home town of Philly. Along side the screening is the opening of “Flights of Genius” a series of commissioned murals on display by the celebrated artist that reinterpret the words and quotes of agency founder David Ogilvy, one of the most influential and important figures in modern advertising. Power’s bold graphic style, reminiscent of vintage advertising illustrations puts a unique emphasis on famous Ogilvy sayings and transforms them into actionable words designed to inspire the viewer.  Check out the short clip below and stay tuned for more exclusive coverage of tonight’s event later this week.

 

Show Opening - "Listen and Learn" Jeremy Fish @ Joshua Liner Gallery NYC

Jeremy and Josh and one amazing looking cake.

We have been convering Jeremy Fish in his preperations for his new show at Joshua Liner Gallery "Listen and Learn". Last night was the opening party and Jeremy brought his A game as the gallery was transformed into a magical forest of sorts inhabited by Mr. Fish's whimsical characters. The gallery was packed from early on with fans eager to take a peak and have a listen to the stories that Jeremy and his gang of raconteurs graced us with. As always Jeremy made plenty of time for his fans signing books, trading laughs and posing for pictures. The show runs until July 16th and is a must see. Enjoy the slideshow below...

Jeremy Fish "Listen And Learn" Joshua Liner Gallery June 23 2011 NYC - free slideshow maker with music

Jeremy Fish - "Listen and Learn" extended video feature

Jeremy Fish's show "Listen and Learn" opens at Joshua Liner Gallery tonight and if you've been with us these last several weeks you might have cought the sneak preview video featuring Snoop Dogg or a look at the piece Aesop Rock inspired. In celebration of tonights opening we now have an extended video featuring  both Snoop and Aesop again but this time they are joined by Bryan Coons and Mike Giant. The Gallery will be throwing a party in celebration of the work this Thursday July 23rd from 6-9 p.m.

Sneak Peak: Jeremy Fish - "Listen and Learn"

I recieved the preview for Jeremy Fish's new show "Listen and Learn" last night and as always the work is full of whimsy and magic. The show opens this Tuesday June 21st at Joshua Liner Gallery who provides the description below...

For this impressive project, Fish gathered a selection of friends and acquaintances whose rich lives have engendered no end of interesting tales. In an unabashed celebration of this folk art form, Listen and Learn puts stories and storytellers front and center as Fish demonstrates the enduring appeal of storytelling in popular culture. The exhibition features assorted tales from a wide swath of contemporary life-including from artists, skateboarders, rappers, athletes, a stripper, a cop, and a historian-which Fish has reinterpreted in lovingly realized painted works. Rendered in acrylic on hand-cut wood panels, these thirty "story paintings" are accompanied by audio recordings of the source tales recounted by the original storytellers, available to gallery visitors on MP3 players and headphones mounted next to each work.

Jeremy Fish "Listen and Learn" preview with Snoop Dogg at Joshua Liner Gallery

Jeremy's new show taking place at Joshua Liner Gallery starting June 24th will showcase stories and the storytellers made up of a diverse group of folks that spans from artists, skateboarders, athletes, musicians, a stripper, a cop, a historian etc.. Here Snoop provides an anicdote from his childhood where he pulls out his “worm” to impress a young lady in elementary school.