"An Extremely Old Problem" Print Release
An Extremely Old Problem Print Release
After all this madness began in Baltimore, I watched “Do the Right Thing” again for the first time in many years.
In one scene, Mookie is walking to make a delivery and Da Mayor stops him just to say, “Always do the right thing.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“I got it, I’m gone.”
He does do the right thing in every choice he makes.
If you haven’t seen “Do the Right Thing” or haven’t seen it recently, now is the time.
I lost two members of my immediate family to very complicated and troubling violence. I feel so sad right now, for Freddie Gray and everyone else who has been murdered by police.
I will be giving $25 from the sale of each print to the Fund for Rebuilding Baltimore.
“An Extremely Old Problem”
18″ x 24″
2-Color Screen Print
Edition of 125
Signed & Numbered
$50.00
Available via Black Book Gallery on Friday May 15, 2015.
"The Calm" Solo Show at Black Book Gallery
The Calm Solo Show at Black Book Gallery
BLACK BOOK GALLERY’S NEW HOME
After nearly five years on Santa Fe Drive Black Book Gallery has moved to a more refined space at 304 Elati St. in the historical Baker neighborhood. I’m honored to present their first exhibition in their new location, my fifth exhibit in Denver with Black Book. Over the past two years Black Book Gallery has also exhibited my work at international fairs in Miami and New York.
MY NEW EXHIBIT, THE CALM
For my upcoming exhibit, The Calm, we look forward to presenting a juxtaposition of my paintings and and Mightier Than sculptures throughout the entire gallery.
The meaning of the tile of this exhibition is entirely obvious and uncomplicated. There is a stillness that surrounds all the chaos, violence and madness of life; a stillness without which the storm would be without any reference.
This is the first appearance of the Mightier Than sculptures in one of my solo exhibitions. Anyone who has ever shot a firearm with the intent to hit a target knows the importance of stillness before squeezing the trigger. After the crack of a weapon, a similar stillness follows even deeper and more intensely quiet than the first.
The same stillness is needed before and subsequently follows immediately after forceful words and ideas are spoken. Every piece of art that is worth looking at has in it a space where the viewers’ eyes are given a moment of rest. It is in this space that the madness and activity is truly felt. This is “The Calm.”
ABOUT THE MIGHTIER THAN SERIES
Each piece is constructed primarily of disassembled antique typewriters. There are also stapler and scrap metal components. Everything is held together with welds, bolts and rivets. The stocks and wooden handles were all shaped from salvaged oak. Each gun is hand etched by me with my signature saw and hatchet symbol.
The ammunition is comprised of Speedball pen nibs and used ammo cartridges of various sizes. The pen nib points of the .223 and smaller calibers are pressure fitted into the neck of the cartridge and the nibs of the larger calibers are pressure fitted and held into place with a piece of a standard number 2 pencil. Each cartridge is laser etched with my signature plow and scythe symbol.
OTHER WORKS AVAILABLE AT THE CALM
BLACK BOOK GALLERY
304 Elati St.
Denver, CO 80223
OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, March 14, 2015
6-10pm
Artist in attendance
Free & Open to the public
Exhibit runs March 14 – April 5, 2015
"Just A Moment..." Solo Show at Black Book Gallery
Just A Moment... Solo Show at Black Book Gallery
The title of my next show is inspired by the point at which the HAL 9000 decides to initiate and carry out his plan. I, and most people, have been thinking about this time. We are in the midst of a slow collective realization, that leaves us feeling uneasy and precarious. Something that has, for a very long time, dwelt quietly in the shadows of conspiracy theory has, rather abruptly, stepped into the realm of conspiracy fact—the realization that the eyes of computers are opening wider every day and watching us with deep interest. The title is a bit misleading however, in the sense that I actually believe there is little cause for pessimism and hysteria. This movement of machines into the world of humanity is not at all new.
In fact, Cervantes was aware of this very problem in the year 1600. Don Quixote was profoundly distrustful of the encroachment of machines and his only escape was madness.
I was recently given a beautiful antique printing press—a machine for producing art. Ironically, this machine is even more advanced than anything in Cervantes’ world, yet at our stage in history, it now oddly represents the value of the human hand in art.
Just A Moment…
Black Book Gallery
555 Santa Fe Dr.
Denver, CO 80204
August 1 – 30, 2014
Exhibition with Shepard Fairey: "Art Alliance: The Provocateurs"
Exhibition: Art Alliance: The Provocateurs
Block 37 · Chicago · July 31 – August 4, 2014
“The Art Alliance: The Provocateurs” exhibition took place during, and in partnership with, Lollapalooza 2014. One of the largest music festivals in the world, Lolla draws hundreds of thousands of culturally sophisticated and creatively curious visitors to Chicago each summer.
I was honored to show my work (and debut my typewriter guns) alongside the following artists: Shepard Fairey, Swoon, HAZE, Space Invader, Dzine, Mark Mothersbaugh, FAILE, Ryan McGinness, Winston Smith, RETNA, Stanley Donwood, Monica Canilao, Clare Rojas, Estevan Oriol, Evan Hecox, Gary Panter, Jen Stark, Camille Rose Garcia, Revok, Cleon Peterson, D*Face, WK Interact and many others.
The show, curated by Shepard Fairey, proved to be far more than a typical exhibition by combining world class art with experiential and interactive components such as music, public art, panel discussions, charities, local community interests, and education.
Notable Media Coverage of “The Art Alliance: The Provocateurs” From:
Opening Reception: "Process to Consumption"
Opening Reception: Process to Consumption
Join me for the opening exhibition of Process to Consumption paired with A Celebration of Aesthetics, an interactive wine and art pairing by Simone FM Spinner, CWS.
ABOUT A CELEBRATION OF AESTHETICS
Be the first to experience a new understanding of the similarities between wine and art. Each pairing consists of carefully selected wines paired with eight specifically selected works of art to illustrate a complementary aesthetic theme. Learn about cutting edge aesthetics theory while enjoying in an evening of wine, art, conversation and camaraderie.
ABOUT PROCESS TO CONSUMPTION
The Process to Consumption exhibition is presented by Create Denver. The project provides eight Denver-based artists with limited studio time on the third floor of the McNichols Building and “vessels” to create their original artworks. This show challenges both the artist and audience by providing the public a rare opportunity to share in dialog and witness the artists’ creative process from conception to the many stages, methods and perspectives of execution, leading to the final exhibition.
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
Michael Dowling – Painter, classic, expressionist, drawing
Jared David Paul Anderson – Painter, abstraction, primal, expressive
Lu Cong – Painter, portraiture, contemporary, complicated
Homare Ikeda – Painter, abstractions, printmaker, stumbler, dreamer
Donald Fodness – Installations, assemblages grotesque, humor
Laura Shill Amber Cobb – photography, drawing, sculpture, installation
Plangloss Gravitron – Collective medium, expressionism, zoobiquity
Ravi Zupa – Painter, mixed media, subliminal, political, woodblock
WHEN & WHERE:
Thursday, July 10, 2014
6pm – 10pm
McNichols Civic Center Building
Wine pairing & discussion runs 6 – 7:30pm sharp
Artist reception to follow immediately until 10pm
PUBLIC HOURS:
Saturdays and Sundays: 10am – 3pm, or by appointment
Runs through July 10 – 27, 2014