UPDATE: Sadly Cory Allen Contemporary has closed and I am currently seeking a new exhibit space for this series of work. Stay tuned!
I am super excited to publicly announce that on the evening of November 12th, 2015 my solo exhibit, #ExposingStupid will open at Cory Allen Contemporary Art. This is a show unlike any that I have had the opportunity to create thus far. As when I prepared to take the stage as a performer many years ago, I find myself today filled with and fueled by nervous energy, inspiration and determination. With making this announcement, I wanted put into words some thoughts on what inspired this particular show.
I love Facebook.
Few things invented in my lifetime seem to have as great an impact in my daily
world as social media does. It is a great business tool and personally a lot of
fun. I can’t think of any other way in
which so many old friends and I would be in touch today sharing laughs on a
nightly basis, regardless of distance or years in between face to face meet
ups.
Facebook also makes me want to rip my face off and feed it to a pack of rabid
wolves. Sadly this is an almost daily occurrence too. Blatant racism and
homophobia and pious bullies all seem to make their way onto my daily feed.
Scrolling through sometimes feels like watching a parade of stupid marching
down Facebook Avenue.
I don’t pretend to be good at things I’m not. Keeping my
mouth shut and looking the other way, are good examples. The constant barrage of idiocy
on social media results in spirited and colorful rants on my part. I am not one to keep
chaos inside. Few things enrage me more than the sheer lack of empathy that seems so rampant online. I cannot afford brain tumors or cancer so it is purely an act of
holistic health preservation when I have to call someone out on being a racist
dickhole or a dumb pompous religious fuckturd. These are not nice words or innovative uses of the English language, I realize. Ugly actions deserve ugly words.
There is so much happening in the world at this very moment.
We are witnessing history in the making at such a rapid pace through social
media that it can be almost, if not completely overwhelming. With every stride
or backward step come downpours and raging winds of opinions, support and
opposition. The perfect storm of social discord takes place on our computer,
phone and tablet screens every single day.
I am no stranger to screencaps and not above snapping and tweeting or posting them on my page without the courtesy of name or face blurs when someone
crosses a line of bigotry or hate. That is how #exposingstupid was born. The concepts for the first few paintings for
this series came from the desire to put onto canvas (another exercise in
self-preservation, perhaps) thoughts and opinions on subjects such as racism,
homophobia and religion-induced indignation. To further refine my approach I
decided to take on the series with a “Year-in-Review” mentality, reflecting on
how quickly change is happening. I hope that the show will not only offer visitors an opportunity to reflect on the themes at hand but a chance to consider putting themselves in the shoes of another and the "what ifs" of life.
While a few of the pieces, some which will be interactive, for this collection will be executed in disciplines
outside my wheelhouse (a welcome challenge), I will be painting in my signature
Latin Pop style which combines pop and folk art. I am very much looking forward
to exploring dark subjects and recent events and triumphs with satire and whimsy and seeing
how the public receives the work.
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| Hurts so Good, acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40" |
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