(e)merge Fair Splash with Becky Flanders

Shocking images push the envelope of exotica, however upon further introspection of Becky Flanders contemporary photography pushes your emotion across gender boundaries. Ok, ok, when you finally looked up from your mobile device and was confronted with a woman peeing in the standing position you were awe struck, forgot where you were for a moment, realized you were in the Mindy Solomon Gallery booth and then asked politely, “Who is this artist?” “Becky Flanders!,” I reply. Becky constructs issues of gender with photographic performance in nature and hopes to evoke further dialogue about feminine and masculine roles in society. DCist online review of the (e)merge Art Fair, and press about Becky Flanders.

Contradictions is Now Open

Mindy Solomon Gallery is pleased to introduce a provocative showcase of eight contemporaries in a themed exhibition entitled, “Contradictions.” Taking a close look at worldly themes and opposing viewpoints, “Contradictions” allows each artist to freely explore life’s nuances through the lens of humor and irony.

“Contradictions” will be on exhibit September 24—November 5, 2011 with artist talk with Russell Biles on Saturday, September 24, 12—2PM and opening reception on Saturday, October 1 from 6—8PM. (Please join our guest list). 

Richard Bassett presents two needlepoint pillows to represent the over sensationalism of visual violence, the dulling of our senses as a result, and our ambivalent response. “And, can the shock of seeing these images on pillows momentarily snap us back to their reality?” Courtesy of the Jack Fischer Gallery in San Francisco.

Russell Biles works in porcelain crafting figurations that explore race, politics and sexuality. Biles’ sculptures provide humor and commentary about subjects that are often difficult to discuss.

Einar and Jamex de la Torre work in hot glass and mixed media to create spirited sculptures that disrespect cultural and religious institutions. The combination of such enlightened narratives form a strong and thought provoking exhibition that both will repel and fascinate the viewer.

Muir Vidler travels the world utilizing a camera to capture cultural ironies. His narrative photographs travel the world and satirical in nature. He explores the contradictory nature of his subjects versus the environments in which they live in order to document the way in which unique individuals define themselves in even the most oppressive of conditions.

Gregory Green juxtaposes sculptural elements to convey fear and uncertainty. Artist Gregory Green states: “In contemporary society, we have reached a state of perpetual over-stimulation. We are surrounded by ever-increasing sources of information, from the printed word, to television, and now the Internet. Our societies move and change at an eternally increasing pace and the level and the role of spectacle seems to grow exponentially…”

Chris Riccardo utilizes the language of scale and form to address serious societal concerns in his sculpture Consequences. He comments on the epidemic of childhood obesity in our country and how the disease affects our children’s ability to play, leading to low-self esteem, inability to interact and work with others and possible future psychological abnormalities.

Bonnie Smith works, Kingston, NY, is a stylized ceramics artisan who unites mythological and dream symbols with themes of home and childhood memory. Bonnie’s compositions are made up of combinations of human and natural formations that convey a feminine approach to concepts of loss and isolation. Victorian aesthetic and proportion of scale help to deliver her delicate, emotional perspective that can be described as, “otherworldly.”

Josh DeWeese Expressions in Form Nov 12—Dec 24

The Mindy Solomon Gallery is proud to announce the solo exhibition of ceramics artist, Josh DeWeese, “Expressions in Form,” November 12 through December 24, 2011.

Josh DeWeese returns to the gallery with a new selection of large sculptural vessels, baskets and wall platters and presenting an intimate artist talk on November 12 from 6—6:30PM during the artist reception.

Josh DeWeese is a ceramic artist and educator at the Montana State University in Bozeman where he continually evolves the finest applications of traditional pottery making with colorful surface treatments creating important, internationally recognized contemporary works. As Mr. DeWeese describes:

“I have developed a passion for painting with ceramic materials. I enjoy the phenomenon of the melt and the element of gravity that enters the image through running glaze. The loss of control is important, blurring the lines made with the hand, and introducing a sense of alchemy. The viscosity and movement of the glaze becomes an important element in the final image. I am interested in translating what I see in front of me, whatever it may be.”

Josh DeWeese “Expressions in Form” November 12—December 24 with artist reception and talk, Saturday, November 12 from 6—8PM. See you soon. You can read more about Josh DeWeese here. RSVP on Facebook here.

Russell Biles Art Talk Sept 24

Please join sculptural satirist, Russell Biles at the Mindy Solomon Gallery on Saturday, September 24 from 12—2 PM. Russell will be chatting about his featured pieces featured in “Contradictions” which pay tribute to the foibles and follies of society’s social issues. Russell Biles recently received a 2012 Craft Fellow from the SC Arts Commission and we are proud to feature his work in the gallery. Contact us for additional information or visit facebook to join the guest list.

(e)merge Art Fair in Washington D.C. 9/22—25

Mindy Solomon Gallery travels to Washington D.C. for the (e)merge Art Fair at the Capitol Skyline Hotel to present leading contemporary photographers Muir Vidler, Jeremy Chandler and Becky Flanders. You and your good friends are invited.

(e)merge Art Fair September 22—25
Friday, September 23: 12pm – 7pm
Saturday, September 24: 12pm – 7pm
Sunday, September 25: 12pm – 5pm

The (e)merge art fair celebrates galleries, artists, and the creative process with an an energetic environment of collaboration and discovery.

Muir Vidler
London based contemporary photographer Muir Vidler is sought out for his careful eye and colorful compositions by international magazines (GQ, Vanity Fair, Vogue) and select companies (Lotus, ROVE, Penguin). Muir Vidler consistently creates personal projects that deliver exuberantly detailed images, complete with an international cast of real life heroes. Muir Vidler captures the pageantry of life in themed works including: “Istanbul,” “Israeli Death Metal,” “Libyan Beauty Pageant” and “Rebels Without a Pause.” Muir Vidler is an important contemporary who lives by the old maxim, “never complain, never explain…”

Jeremy Chandler
Florida based contemporary photographer, Jeremy Chandler explores a myriad of issues that center on masculinity, utopian ideals and nature. Inspired by cinema, Jeremy Chandler’s visuals create dreamlike narratives that contradict traditional notions of masculinity. Jeremy juxtaposes the beauty found in nature with feelings of anxiety, as experienced by the viewer for the central protagonist. As Jeremy Chandler describes, “I create fictional narratives, but I also make environmental portraits.”

Becky Flanders
Becky Flanders consistently creates thought provoking, electrically charged photographs that reveal contradictory feminine archetypes while releasing urine while standing. Becky’s work, as she often describes, “And yet this image of woman ‘project[ing] beyond the boundaries of self’ in this way remains absent from collective consciousness. It seems that the concept of femininity dictates the possibility of female bodies, rather than the other way around.”

Please visit the Mindy Solomon Gallery Capitol Skyline Hotel, Washington D.C. If you wish to learn more about the presented artists or collecting contemporary photography, please contact the gallery or join the facebook guest list here.

Bonnie Marie Smith featured in Contradictions

Mindy Solomon Gallery is pleased to introduce “Contradictions,” a provocative showcase that features: Richard Bassett, Russell Biles, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Muir Vidler, Gregory Green, Chris Riccardo, Bonnie Marie Smith September 24 through November 5, 2011. (above, Cigarette Girls, 25 pieces total, 48″ shelf, earthenware, glaze, paint, found objects, 2011).

“Contradictions.” takes  a close look at the irony in opposing viewpoints celebrating humor and irony. Group exhibitions promotes a thought provoking platform that introduces emerging artists. Kingston, New York based artist Bonnie Marie Smith will be premiering her multi-pieced ceramics and earthenware sculptures. (above, postcard featuring Muir Vidler designed by Murphy Design + article).

We are pleased to introduce Bonnie, as she writes: “My work is inspired and informed by myth, dreams, and symbols. Most often I explore in my art themes of home, childhood, loss, nature, and the feminine experience. In these small sculptures, I work intuitively to reveal something of the inner world of each figure. Each piece is made of fired earthenware or porcelain clay with applied glazes, stains, paints, and the occasional found object.” (above, Watchdog, 13x11x5,” earthenware, glaze, paint, found objects, 2011).

“Contradictions” begins September 24 and on display through November 5. You are cordially invited to attend our artist reception on Saturday, October 1, 6—8PM and please contact the gallery for additional information about Bonnie Marie Smith and Richard Bassett, Russell Biles, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Muir Vidler, Gregory Green and Chris Riccardo. Join the Facebook guest list here and take advantage of the Oct. 1 opening reception and the Sept. 24 artist talk with Russell Biles. (above, bell hop and cigar girl, earthenware, glaze, paint, found objects, 2011).

Poetry In Clay Exhibition in SF

Whimsical, rustic, direct, fresh, audacious, contemporary — these are some of the qualities that have been attributed to the type of Korean ceramics known as buncheong. Buncheong ceramics are characterized by their informal style and their use of white clay as an aesthetic feature. The exhibition Poetry in Clay, opening September 16 and running through January 8, 2012 at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and featuring Korean artist Lee Kang Hyo.

It features more than fifty-five masterpieces, including six Korean national treasures, from the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art in Seoul, Korea. In addition, selected Japanese ceramics from the Asian Art Museum’s collections show Japanese connections to Korean ceramics. Finally, contemporary buncheong as well as other forms of contemporary art influenced by Korean ceramics, on loan from Korea, demonstrate the vitality of this vibrant art form today.

The aesthetics and functions of buncheong ceramics reflect social developments of the beginnings of the Joseon dynasty at the end of the fourteenth century. Most were everyday wares used by people at many levels of society. Later buncheong allowed for increased regional expressiveness and creativity.

In the second half of the sixteenth century, a vogue for porcelain caused buncheong ceramic production to decline in Korea. But the style continued to be popular in Japan, where it had been introduced by Korean potters transported there following the Japanese invasions of Korea in the 1590s.

During the twentieth century, Korean artists began to revive the buncheong style. Today buncheong continues to inspire contemporary artists. Not only potters but also artists working in other mediums are trying to recapture the natural beauty of traditional buncheong ceramics.

Mindy Solomon Gallery Korean artist Lee Kang Hyo demonstrates his new style of ceramic forms and images in person on Saturday, September 17 from 12—4PM at the Asian Art Museum in celebration of the Korean Culture Day in San Francisco.

Kate MacDowell and Erasure Cover Art

Kate MacDowell hand sculpts each piece out of porcelain, often hollowing it out and then adorns her creation with delicate details reflecting nature. Recently, Kate created the artwork used for the new Erasure album, Tomorrow’s World designed by Tom Hingston. Pretty rocking and congratulations and shout outs. Learn more here and read a recent interview by Jessica Palmer for Biophemera.

You can see additional work by Kate MacDowell and learn more about her dynamic works. Please contact the gallery for additional information.

Hero Worship Review

 

Hero Worship has gained plenty of attention over the past several weeks. We have been fortunate, as many great community leaders, press officials and art aficionados have shared insightful consideration about the artists and the exhibition including a great review by Luis of Art Taco. Read more here. (Jeremy Chandler, featured above).

New Work by Sculptor Dave Hicks

North Carolina based David Hicks is a sculptor who creates works complimentary of nature and organic forms. The American Museum of Ceramic Art in Los Angeles and the United States Embassy Art Collection celebrates David’s work as it continually expands into new frontiers, reestablishing traditional notions about the ceramic arts.

David Hicks assembles multiple pieces and varying weights on custom forged hooks that carry the weight of his pieces and unify his work into a singular construction. David’s work is fluid, and though his work presents itself without physical movement, his pieces appear to be moving all the time.

Advocate of the arts and friend to the gallery, Mark Murphy, recently caught up with Dave Hicks and wrote a compelling interview. Read more…