Jeff Soto
dal 17/2/2006 al 17/3/2006
Segnalato da
17/2/2006
Jeff Soto
Jonathan LeVine Gallery, New York
Supernova. Soto transplants his magical world onto the gallery walls with paintings on wood, including a panel spanning twelve feet long, works on paper, and the final grouping of his "Cold Ice Age" series. An installation of paintings, photographs, and found objects will also be on view.
Supernova. Book presentation: Potato Stamp Dreams
"Potato Stamp Dreams" will become a reality for art and
culture lovers on Sunday, February 19th from 4pm-7pm at Jonathan LeVine Gallery,
when graffiti-inspired artist Jeff Soto appears for an exclusive book signing
event, held in conjunction with his solo exhibition, Supernova. An impressive
compilation of works from the prolific artist, the book includes installations,
graffiti and photography. The 160 page hardbound edition, published by Murphy
Design and released in August of 2005, features a poster fold out, double-sided
dust jacket, embossed cloth cover and a limited edition 48 page mini Potato
Stamp Soto zine. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the book signing and
can purchase "Potato Stamp Dreams" on-site, or pre-order copies on
www.jonathanlevinegallery.com.
"Potato Stamp Dreams" is an extension of Jeff
Soto's imaginative world. Named after his first solo show in September 2001 at
New Image Art Gallery in Los Angeles, "Potato Stamp Dreams" signifies a
milestone for Soto's outstanding growth as an artist. Soto describes the origin:
"I got the title thinking about how we take things out of nature and use them
for mechanized processes, like mining metals to make machinery, or chopping down
trees to make toothpicks. Potato stamps are tubers pulled out of the dirt and
sculpted by man to do a repetitive job. For good or bad, we take advantage of
what nature has to offer."
When approached by publisher and designer Mark
Murphy to collaborate on the book, Soto explained, "From the start my intentions
were to tell a story and take the viewer on a journey rather than just show the
artwork. I wanted people to get a feel for where I'm coming from and what my
inspirations are." What began as a sample layout of Soto's ideas developed into
creative exploration for both designer and artist and, ultimately, a collection
that inspires and intrigues the reader. Through "Potato Stamp Dreams," we learn
a bit more about Jeff Soto and how his art connects his early inspirations and
memories. "An important aspect of my work is nostalgia," explains Soto, "showing
what I did as a kid and how that shapes who I am as an adult." Themes of
beauty, destruction, and nature versus machine are beautifully captured in this
impressive collection. Subtle nuances make the book unique, such as photographs
of Soto as a young child. The rounded edges and yellowish hues of Soto's
photographs blend seamlessly with his signature color palette and painted wooden
panels. Elements of nostalgia weave throughout his collages on panel, which are
highlighted through the stunning reproductions and lush details.
In addition to receiving both national and international acclaim and exhibiting in
top galleries across the country, Soto has an illustrated for record companies,
skateboard magazines, book publishers and advertisers. His client list includes Sony
Music, Warner Bros., Wired, Entertainment Weekly, Disney Adventures and Outside
Magazine. He has been featured in fine art and popular culture publications
including, Artweek, Juxtapoz, American Illustration, Communication Arts, Beautiful
Decay, and Lodown Magazine. In 2002, Soto graduated with Distinction from Art Center
College of Design in Pasadena, California. He currently lives in Riverside,
California, with his wife Jennifer and newborn baby. The Jonathan LeVine Gallery
exhibits a genre of work influenced by illustration, comic books, graffiti art and
pop imagery. Featuring work by a variety of celebrated, controversial, and unknown
pop surrealist and underground artists, the gallery, formerly operating as Tin Man
Alley Gallery in Philadelphia and New Hope, PA, moved to Chelsea in January 2005.
After taking over a year and a half off for the birth of his first
baby, artist Jeff Soto has returned to his studio to create nearly twenty-five
works for his solo exhibition, Supernova, opening on Saturday, February 18th from
6pm-9pm at Jonathan LeVine Gallery, on view through March 18th, 2006. Soto
transplants his magical world onto the Chelsea gallery walls with paintings on
wood, including a panel spanning twelve feet long, works on paper, and the final
grouping of his ambitious Cold Ice Age series, the last thirty-six of a hundred
painting set.
An installation of paintings, photographs, and found objects will
also be on view. Influenced by current events and how they relate to
fatherhood, Soto describes his new work as darker and more serious: "I've been
thinking about what's going on over in Iraq and the way we live on this planet. I'm
thinking about the future of my child. My daughter could go to war someday and
that's a frightening thought." Environmental issues also take precedent for Soto,
who is concerned with conflict of humans trying to harness, or take advantage of
nature. His paintings exude this tension, as robotic creatures duel, organic
tentacles and flower bouquets thrive, and black smog looms amidst floating, ominous
skulls. Through striking visual imagery, Soto communicates profound visions and
fears, nostalgia of his youth, and themes of love, lust, and hope. "I'm putting
out good work that I'm proud of," reflects Soto, "Some of my works in the past have
been disguised technically with collage and drips, but now they are more pure
painting.
Imagery has more importance to me, with subtle differences
stylistically." Soto's distinct color palette, subject matter, technique and bold
themes resonate with a growing audience. Inspired by toys such as transformers, the
colorful lifestyle of skateboarding and graffiti, hip-hop and popular culture,
Soto's representational work is simultaneously accessible and stimulating. In
addition to receiving both national and international acclaim and exhibiting in top
galleries across the country, Soto has illustrated for record companies, skateboard
magazines, book publishers and advertisers. His client list includes Sony Music,
Warner Bros., Wired, Entertainment Weekly, Disney Adventures and Outside Magazine.
He has been featured in fine art and popular culture publications including,
Artweek, Juxtapoz, American Illustration, Communication Arts, Beautiful Decay, and
Lodown Magazine. In 2002, Soto graduated with Distinction from Art Center College
of Design in Pasadena, California. He currently lives in Riverside, California,
with his wife Jennifer and newborn baby, Shannon. The Jonathan LeVine Gallery
exhibits a genre of work influenced by illustration, comic books, graffiti art and
pop imagery. Featuring work by a variety of celebrated, controversial, and unknown
pop surrealist and underground artists, the gallery, formerly operating as Tin Man
Alley Gallery in Philadelphia and New Hope, PA, moved to Chelsea in January 2005.
Opening receiption: Saturday, February 18th, from 6-9pm
Book signing: Sunday, February 19th from 4-7pm.
Jonathan LeVine Gallery
529 West 20th Street, 9th Floor - New York
Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 6pm