19/3/2004
Helen Garber
31Grand, New York
Inspired by her new surroundings, the paintings in the current exhibition range from intensely personal self-portraits to images of her new neighbors - the guy who sells speed out of his water delivery truck, 10-year old boys playing with guns, uprooted trailers - all passionately rendered to reveal the emotional core of her subjects.
Blasting Machines
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 20, 7-10pm
31GRAND is proud to present Helen Garber's new exhibition of paintings and
drawings, 'Blasting Machines,' her first solo show in New York since her
relocation to California. Painting since she was 13 without any formal
training, her unsentimental portraits combine traditional historical
realism and folk art naiveté in a sort of diary of her life and the people
and experiences that have affected her. Running away from home into the arms
of the East Village, she encountered her first subjects, inspiring the first
show of portraits of bikers. Her second series, of heavy metal groupies,
was based on images of the girls she met while on tour with bands like
Poison and Motley Crue.
Inspired by her new surroundings, the paintings in the current exhibition
range from intensely personal self-portraits to images of her new neighbors
-- the guy who sells speed out of his water delivery truck, 10-year old boys
playing with guns, uprooted trailers -- all passionately rendered to reveal
the emotional core of her subjects.
To quote one of her favorites: 'If you want to stir up real mud, big guy,
you had better pay with real blood.' Iggy Pop
Image: Self Portrait in Red, 2003, oil on board, 24 x 30"
Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 1-7pm, or by appointment
31GRAND
31 Grand Street
Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York 11211
718.388.2858