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The New Contemporary Art Magazine
We recently had the chance to attend the SCOPE Art Fair in NYC, one of the satellite fairs that showcases innovative work from a diverse group of international galleries. Many Hi-Fructose featured artists were among the established and emerging artists exhibited in the booths housed within the labyrinth-like setting of historic Moynihan Station Post Office building. View more images from our visit to the SCOPE Art Fair after the jump.
Hailing from L.A., Thinkspace Gallery brought a large group of works from many artists we've featured on our blog such as Joao Ruas (Hi-Fructose Vol. 23), Stella Im Hultberg (Hi-Fructose Collected 3), Ana Bagayan and Brian Viveros alongside emerging artists such as Kikyz1313 to the SCOPE Art Fair in NYC. Aside from the diverse line-up, the established artists chosen to represent the gallery in their New York art fair debut chose to experiment with different media. Stella Im Hultberg arrived with a stunning 3D piece while Allison Sommers showcased her miniatures in vintage matchboxes and pill cases and Joao Ruas translated his signature style onto large eggs, referencing historical Greek mythological works on vases. Take a look after the jump for more images from our visit to SCOPE NYC, here in Hi-Fructose.
Last week, highly acclaimed artist James Jean (HF Vol.15 cover artist) opened "Parallel Lives," his second solo show in NYC at Tilton gallery. Opening to a large crowd of eager fans who snaked around the outside of the building in anticipation, the show exhibited a menagerie of works including drawings, paintings and works that included 3-dimensional elements. The diversity of his works subtly echoes the title of the show, as Jean creates within a range of media while retaining a core aesthetic that is distinctly recognizable as his. The dreamy quality and narrative fairy-tale like works engage the viewers with their bold sizes, vivid, psychedelic color choices while still appearing intimate and familiar. Take a look at more of the work and exclusive opening night photos after the jump, here on Hi-Fructose.
Just before the art fairs opened earlier this week in Miami, Jonathan LeVine Gallery held an opening for a three-person exhibition, featuring new works from artists DALEast, Vinz and Joe Sorren. Sorren, who recently relocated from Arizona to NYC filled a small room with dreamy works illuminating his mastery of color. Street artists DALeast and Vinz's new works were presented in part by the Wooster Collective in conjunction with the gallery and showcased a diverse array of style and media; Vinz's works ranged from small sculptures, stained glass and collage works, while DALeast presented his first stateside show of tea stained canvases filled with fantastical tangles. View more works from each of the artists as well as opening night photos after the jump.
In preparations for her upcoming show "Lavish Hunger" at Art Basel this year with Corey Helford Gallery, artist Kukula invited us to visit her studio as she put the final touches on her new work. As continuations of the themes and style she presented last autumn with her solo exhibition, also at Corey Helford, her pale-skinned beauties appear literally "diseased" by their consumerist obsessions as their soft skin transforms into hard, ornate porcelain. Set in landscapes that are reminiscent of pre-revolution France, her figures appear isolated within their interiors, wearing either melancholic or apathetic expressions as their bodies transform into the exact objects of their desire. Recently transplanted to the East Coast from California this summer, her studio resides in a large sunny loft that she has filled with inspirational objects and books. Take a peek at more studio images and a preview of the new work after the jump.
Opening on November 2 at Gallery 309 in Philadelphia is the solo exhibition, "California Man" by self-taught artist Michael Michael Motorcycle. Vibrant and fantastical, the stunning works explore relationships; the love between people as well as humanity's relationship with the environment. Despite the candy colored palate, the works are punctuated by a subtle grief that appear as tear drops or threads of blood while cityscapes burn within the wings of a butterfly. Recently we were able to visit the artist's studio, view more images after the jump.
Philadelphia based artist Sienna Freeman (first introduced on the blog here) creates dynamic collages utilizing a marriage between found imagery and her own photography. Entombed in resin, the strange figures explore relationships between humans and animals as well as focusing on narratives of the body. Her new work appears much larger, nearly life size, allowing for more detail and providing a more potent viewing experience. We were able to visit the artist in her studio as she prepared for "Perception Shift," a group show at Stockton College Art Gallery, view more images after the jump.
Opening this evening at Brooklyn's Cotton Candy Machine is the two-person exhibition "The Candy Escape" featuring works by artists Brandi Milne and Camilla d'Errico. Perfectly suited for the bright setting of the gallery boutique, the new works feature the signature styles of each artist; lush colors, beautiful female figures and a focus on fairytale like narratives. While retaining these signature qualities, d'Errico's works make a subtle departure from her previous works, her figures appear singular and without their helmet accouterments, while Brandi has added more of her plush figures and painted books to a series of small paintings and drawings. View a preview of the show after the jump.
Imbued with the baroque stylings of carousel design, Philadelphia-based artist Paul Romano's new body of work "Little Battle" opens this Saturday evening at San Francisco's Loved To Death. Revolving around the timeless themes of love and loss, the works illuminate the often shadowed yet marvelous aspects of the human experience. The heart of the show is several large pieces of a female figure that represent the natural elements, air, land and sea. Utilizing his skills as both a trained fine artist and designer for such bands as Mastodon and Baroness, Romano fills the works with an ethereal beauty that is counterbalanced by the presence of a deep-rooted, subtle melancholy. View a preview of the artwork and images from a recent studio visit after the jump.
Recently opened at Asbury Park's Parlor Gallery was a group exhibit featuring a menagerie of works, most of which were created using unexpected means and processes. Some of the offerings included Michael Mapes' intriguing collage boxes which featured tiny photographs and clippings from his journals encapsulated within clear pills and pinned in groupings to form portraits and geometric shapes. Other works ranged from tattoo-inspired, hand-carved wooden panels, obsessively beaded sculptures and cryptic texts, further illuminating either the quirky media or strange tales in which each artist presented his or her vision. View more images of the works as well as opening night photos after the jump.
Opening tomorrow evening in Brooklyn's Cotton Candy Machine is a new body of work, "Detroit Rooms," from Glenn Barr (HF Vol. 10 cover artist.) Featuring his signature style of kinetic paint application that compliments the textured surfaces he chooses to work on, the new paintings further explore the world Barr has been cultivating for years. With a blend of whimsy and a penchant for the night life, nubile females fashioned in space gear share space with robotic monsters. View more exclusive preview images here on Hi-Fructose after the jump.
Recently opened this past weekend in NYC's Jonathan LeVine Gallery were solo offerings from artists Audrey Kawasaki (the cover artist of the upcoming HF Vol.25) and Jeff Soto (HF Vol.16 cover artist). Both artists showed significant growth in their work; Kawasaki with the introduction of bold, black graphic shapes while Soto explored the use of human figures in tandem to his long limbed organic creatures. Both artists employed vibrant color palettes — a departure for Kawasaki's usually muted color schemes, while Soto's work exploded with bright neon hues. Take a look at opening night photos after the jump.
Recently, we were able to visit emerging artist Jeremy Hush's Philadelphia studio as he prepared for his upcoming show, "At A Loss For Words" opening at the end of this month at Thinkspace gallery. Working in ball-point pen and an autumnal color palette, the new works explore themes of decay and rebirth, as his strange beauties double as vessels as birds and other wildlife find homes between their rib and jaw bones. Tangles of overgrown natural elements converge with rusted skeleton keys and clockwork parts, an interesting marriage between nature and machinery that provides a nuanced back drop for his ghostly figures. Take a peek at a preview of the works as well as the artist's studio after the jump.
Recently opened at Asbury Park, NJ's Parlor Gallery was the large group show "Fortune Favors The Bold." Based on circus imagery, including freak show oddities such as conjoined twins and gaff taxidermy, the diverse works showcased the many aspects of the jubilant yet strange energy of carnival life. Included in the menagerie of works were new pieces from artists Adam Wallacavage, Sarah Davey and Sarina Brewer among others. Take a peek at more images of the work as well as opening night photos after the jump.
"Détournement: Signs of the Times," a group show curated by writer and critic Carlo McCormick at Jonathan Levine Gallery (previewed here), recently opened in NYC to a packed crowd. Featuring new works from artists Shepard Fairey, Dan Witz and Ron English among others, based on the idea of détournement, or a play on signage meant to subvert the original intent of messages we perceive daily, the bright works are both sharp and humorous in their satirical poke at mainstream authoritative and corporate imagery. Take a peek at opening night photos from Adam Wallacavage after the jump.
Artist Sam Wolfe Connelly, who will have work in the upcoming "Lush Life" group show at Roq La Rue that opens tonight in Seattle, works in a studio nestled in his Brooklyn jewel box apartment. His works — smoky charcoal drawings contrasted by paintings punctuated with bright pops of color — are filled with crystal growths, moody yet sensual heroines and an eerie tone of subtle horror. Recently, we had a chance to stop by the artist's studio to see what he's been up to since we last featured him on the site. Take a peek after the jump for an exclusive look inside his studio as well as images of works in progress.
Set in a fantastical world in which Victorian children saddle woodland beasts such as owls, bats and foxes, Philadelphia-based artist Robert Kraiza's paintings speak of unwritten fairytales imbued with the nostalgia of childhood. The portraits, created in a monochromatic palette that complements his antiquated aesthetic, converge with an otherworldliness evidenced in the scale in which he portrays the children in relation to the beasts they chariot. Recently we had a chance to visit the emerging artist at his studio, view more images of the work and a peek at his studio after the jump.
For the newest edition of our ongoing series "Inside The Sketchbook," we travelled to Brooklyn to peer into the sketchbooks of artist Esao Andrews (HF Vol. 22). In stark contrast to his dreamy, fairytale-like paintings filled with long-limbed figures and floating balloons, his sketchbooks are packed with tiny text, snapshots of daily life and a witty sense of humor. Showing a more personal side, this special view into the artist's sketchbooks provides a refreshing glance at the person behind the gorgeous works we've admired for years. Take a look at more images and read an interview after the jump.
This past Saturday, Cotton Candy Machine in Brooklyn opened "Tiny Trifecta," the second showing of an annual exhibit showcasing three original works each from over 70 artists, many of whom have graced the pages of past issues of Hi-Fructose (such as James Jean, Esao Andrews, Miss Van and Brandi Milne among many others.) Eager patrons waited in line for hours, some even overnight, for a chance to purchase one of these original works of art at an affordable price. While many of the artworks were small or simple sketches, the exhibit allowed viewers a peek at a large body of work collected from top tier and emerging artists in one space. View more images of the artwork and opening night photos, here on Hi-Fructose after the jump.
Recently opened at NYC's Joshua Liner Gallery is the solo exhibition "Memoir: The Tattooed Portraits Series" from LA-based painter and tattoo artist Shawn Barber. The new paintings, including an epic six-by-nine-foot triptych, explore a continuation of the ongoing series Barber has been cultivating: a visual documentation of the contemporary tattoo culture. Using his classical training as well as his intimate knowledge of his subject matter, the portraits catalogue the corporeal art of tattooists, their tools, as well as their studios and process. Capturing the intimate moments shared between client and tattooist as well as the final results of the body altering rituals, the works place a serious focus on the culture and identity of tattoo artists through Barber's distinct style of having actions and different viewpoints share the same compositional space. View more images of the new work as well as peaks at Barber's studio after the jump.
Currently on view at NYC's Jonathan LeVine Gallery are three solo exhibitions by artists Eric White, Doze Green and Kevin Cyr (previewed here). Kevin Cyr was also covered by HF in HF vol.10. While each artist has their own distinct style, the work was threaded together by a focus on detail and color balance. While Green revealed a continuance of his intriguingly fluid style, White stunned with his impressively large works of manipulated film stills. Newcomer to the gallery, Kevin Cyr explored old vans costumed in street art, featuring an interesting twist on modern portraiture. View more images of the new works as well as opening night photos after the jump.
Tender and imbued with a supernatural thread, artist Jessica Dalva's small sculptures explore the feminine experience. Whether taking a voyeuristic peek at a woman curled on the floor surrounded by her odd belongings or witnessing a seance, the small works capture a strong sense of narrative, potent emotion and ritual. View more of the delightfully strange works after the jump.
Currently showing at Toronto's Copper Cole Gallery is a two person exhibition 'Destroyer' featuring new works from artists Andrew Schoultz and Richard Colman . This pairing illuminates the similarities between the two artists' graphic line works and bold colors, as well as their preoccupations with social elements and woodland landscapes. Featuring dark horses, grim reapers and a psychedelic color palette the exhibition explores a convergence of death, sexuality and the beauty of nature heralded under the dark exhibition title. View more of the new works after the jump, here on Hi-Fructose
Utilizing old master techniques, artist David Michael Bowers creates epic, realistic portraits. Setting his figures in lush landscapes, the works explore subversive elements as well as referencing cultural nuance and antique poses. Rife with symbolism, the paintings tackle age old themes such as religion, sex and politics that are still relevant in our modern times, illustrating both his technique and subject matter. View more of the works after the jump.
We recently checked in on Canadian based painter Kris Knight to follow up this Hi-Fructose post. He sent over some terrific new work, featuring his signature tightly focused portraits along with some group portraiture celebrating the rituals of seasonal changes. Through a soft color palette and warm light, the pale figures have an air of androgyny, adding a unique element of identity to the new works. Crowned with candles or masked with lace, their lost gazes suggest a subtle apathy while their appearances illustrates all the beauty of youth. View more images of the new work after the jump.
Recently opened at NYC's Joshua Liner Gallery was the solo exhibition 'Dark Island' from Colorado based artist Evan Hecox. Focusing on works created from images captured while touring through Manhattan and Brooklyn, they feature a collage-like technique in that sourced materials such as old newspapers, are utilized. The works explore the artists expert draftsmanship in a convergence of landscape, captured moments and letter typing. View more opening night photos and images of the new works after the jump.
Recently opened at Philadelphia's Art Alliance was the solo exhibition of new sculptures, 'Shiny Monsters' by Philly based artist Adam Wallacavage (whose studio we visited here) Elaborating on his signature aesthetic, the jewel colored rooms were filled with a menagerie of sea creature chandeliers, including his infamous wild armed, candy hued Octopi among new additions such as dragon-esque headed beasts. Lowly lit, the rooms were filled with the lattice like shadows of the tentacles, adding an unexpected element of wonder to the work. View more opening night photos after the jump, here on Hi-Fructose.
NYC based sculptor Ted Lawson creates figurative works based on the female form in a variety of materials. With titles such as ‘Entropy’ to describe a pair of stunningly sensual busts carved from wood, the artist also culls inspiration from science and abstract shapes. He is currently showing at NYC’s Emmanuel Fremin Gallery through May 19th. View more images of the work after the jump.
Upcoming this Saturday May 19th are three solo exhibitions from artists Eric White, Doze Green and Kevin Cyr (Vol 10) at NYC’s Jonathan LeVine Gallery. The convergence of these three artists shows similar threads of color and detail, yet the thematic focus differs for each exhibition. For White, his new body of work continues along the vein of previous works, following cinematic snips from old films with his meticulous eye for detail. In contrast, Cyr also arrives armed with works focusing automobiles, specifically portraits of vehicles found on the streets of NYC. Green’s newest works explore the links between the natural and supernatural worlds in his engaging, bold fusion of mediums. View a preview of the works after the jump and stay tuned for opening night images next week, here on Hi-Fructose.
Brooklyn based artist Fernando Mastrangelo creates narrative based sculptures revolving around the human experience, based on culture, history and myth using unexpected materials such as sugar, gunpowder, goat milk and salt among other perishable and odd substances. Due to the unique nature of the materials, the sculptures take on a feel of fragility, highlighting the themes of destruction and faith. View more of the interesting sculptures after the jump.