Todd James
dal 31/1/2012 al 20/4/2012
Segnalato da
31/1/2012
Todd James
Gering and Lopez Gallery, New York
King of the Wild Frontier presents two large new bodies of work. The first is a group of canvases depicting his familiar Somali pirate series. The second part of the exhibition is a recreation of Vandal's Bedroom, the sprawling, graffiti filled structure that was a highlight an exhibition recently shown at LA MOCA.
GERING & LóPEZ GALLERY is pleased to present King of the Wild Frontier, a
solo exhibition of new work by New York-based artist Todd James. This will
be James’ second exhibition with the gallery.
In this exhibition, James presents two large new bodies of work. The first
is a group of canvases depicting his familiar Somali pirate series. No
longer on roughly cut sheets of paper, these oil paintings dominate the
gallery with their crisp shapes, large scale and emotive brushwork. The new
medium accentuates characteristics of James’ work, namely the seductive
colors and fluid lines of its subjects. These pirates are masked in
headgear, smoking cigarettes, having tea at sunset. They bear hand-me-down
AK-47s and RPGs, the looping shapes of their bullet belts and gun straps
echoing 1970s graffiti letterforms. In the distance, their quarry - cargo
ships - is represented by blocky shapes squatting on the ocean’s horizon.
These works address David and Goliath themes of survival, justice,
ingenuity, ownership, and difference.
The second part of the exhibition is a recreation of Vandal’s Bedroom,
the sprawling, graffiti filled structure that was a highlight of the Art in
the Streets exhibition recently shown at LA MOCA. The New York version of
the work is equally dense with information. Part object, part installation,
this teenage vandal’s bedroom-turned-graffiti-battle-station gives
glimpses of plans for an imaginary artistic takeover. Bleeding marker
drawings form letter styles from the rough & tumble 1980’s New York
subway era, combined with repurposed cartoon characters performing
decidedly off-model activity. A clutter of color, slogans, fantasies, and
affiliations is all barely contained, ready to spill out of this eat,
sleep, and breathe environment. The piece is a celebration of early
influences and an exercise of traditions that remain relevant, holding up
better than ever.
According to James, both vandals and pirates step over invisible boundaries
put in place by faceless power structures every day. Both also anonymously
make claims (to space or to cargo), their deeds forcing society to confront
the undeniable complexity of right and wrong. It is this sense of injustice
that informs and energizes James’ work. The fact that James is able to do
this with a generous amount of humor is his unique ability.
Todd James has had numerous one-person exhibitions internationally,
including New York, Tokyo, Madrid, Brussels, Melbourne, London and
Copenhagen. His most recent exhibition, a large collaborative installation
for Art in the Streets at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Los Angeles, CA
in 2011, was a critical and popular addition to that show. James currently
lives and works in New York.
For further
information please contact Laura Bloom 646.336.7183 or
laura@geringlopez.com
Opening Reception: Thursday March 1, 6-8pm
Gering and Lopez Gallery
730 Fifth Avenue - New York
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm.
Free admission