Coming Up. Story telling is a defining quality of the artist's work. He reflects his own personal feelings and ideas regarding traditional family values and work ethics in American society. While his work is explicitly narrative, Friedman's style is simple and straightforward, allowing a complex story to be told in a lighthearted and innocent way.
Coming Up
The McCaig-Welles Gallery is pleased to present an
exhibition of work by Sam Friedman. The exhibition
will open with a reception on Friday, June 3rd, 2005
from 7-10pm. The collection is comprised of mixed media
collage and painting.
Story telling is a defining quality of Friedman's
work. His work reflects his own personal feelings
and ideas regarding traditional family values and
work ethics in American society.
While his work is explicitly narrative, Friedman's
style is simple and straightforward, allowing a
complex story to be told in a lighthearted and
innocent way. Many of his works depict popularized,
generic American culture icons and symbols
contrasted with compelling and often disturbing
elements and imagery. Yet through his usage of a
simple palette and unique design aesthetic, he
allows the work to take on a very appealing,
child-like, often comical quality.
For example, in "Santa" Santa Clause is seen hanging
himself from a rope in the foreground. The
composition is
skewed and lop-sided, with bright colors and a
floating king's crown and Pine tree in the
background. "Family" is the quisessential image of a
home and letter in the mail and yet one notices the
subtlety of red clouds looming above the picture
perfect house.
Born and raised in a small town in upstate New York,
Sam Friedman now lives and works in Brooklyn,
earning his BFA at Pratt Institute. At the age of
twenty-one, "Coming Up" is Friedman's first solo
exhibition and will be exhibited at the gallery June
3- June 16, 2005.
Opening Reception: Friday, June 3rd, 2005 7-10pm
McCaig-Welles Gallery
129 Roebling Street, Brooklyn - New York