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. 

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

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.)