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| Module 8 by Jodi Walsh |
While these artists focus on a variety of concepts, they each describe the process of art-making as integral to their work. Rachel Borgman uses art historical documentation and biographical sources to weave together a complex web of possible narratives that marry fact with fiction, creating painting copies and immersive painting spaces inspired by her investigations. Artemis Herber’s large-scale artworks on corrugated cardboard raise questions about urban culture and sustainability while exploring geo-economic landscapes expressing local issues or global concerns. Chris Hornsby utilizes dark and light fractured imagery to create paintings that explore the complex yet surprising interaction between control, contradiction, and humanity’s violent struggle to succeed. Sunyoung Lee’s work stems from the similarities between painting and writing. Using thick and rapid calligraphy-like brushstrokes, she creates abstract letter paintings intended to be read emotionally rather than literally.
In Willy Conley’s self-titled “watergraphs,” he captures water reflections which are then turned upside-down. Depending on environmental factors such as wind, debris in the water, and the color of the sky, each inverted reflection creates a painting in its own right. Don James’ photographs appear to be abstract creations but are actually a faithful representation of the shape and near-monochrome appearance of his subjects. Drawn to subjects rarely noticed by others, he photographs man-made structures, details of common objects, and short-lived fragments of nature.
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| "The Ice Pirate" Pen and ink on toned paper, 20x24 inches |
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| Study for "The Ice Pirate" Charcoal on paper, 8x10 inches |
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| Study for "The Ice Pirate" Graphite on paper, 8x10 inches |
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| "Randy Ray in the Arctic" Ink on paper, 10x8 inches |
I remember when we were stationed together in San Diego, and then in Newport, and then at the University of Washington, and we were commissioned together... but my strongest memory of Randy, is when we were in the San Diego Navy softball finals, and Youngblood was at bat, and all we needed was one out to win the championship, and we were up by one, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two outs...William Randall Ray (AKA Randy), 63, of Santee, CA, passed away at sea on June 27th, 2019, doing what he loved. Randy is survived by his wife, Karen, of 44 years, mother Shirley Ray, daughters Misty (Jesse) Rubinol, Rachael (Valentine) Chavez, Amy (Matt) Knippel, grandchildren Riley Rubinol, Cecily Rubinol, Mateo Rubinol, Amelia Chavez, Gabriella Chavez, Owen Knippel, Wyatt Knippel, Joaquin Chavez, 5 siblings, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.Randy served his country faithfully, 20 years active duty and 25 as a Department of the Navy civil servant. He enlisted in the US Navy in June of 1973. While his latest role as an Ice Pilot working with the Arctic Submarine Laboratory was his most fulfilling, he held several enlisted and officer positions during his career in the US Navy and was respected by men & women up and down the chain of command; seamen, airmen, captains and admirals alike.When he wasn’t navigating glaciers & reefs to guide submarines safely to their destinations, he enjoyed music, sports, spending time with family & catering to his wife’s & daughters’ every want & need. He had dreams to retire from civil service in September of 2020 and to move to Tennessee with wife, Karen. Randy aspired to spend his retirement fishing Tennessee rivers, coaching little league and possibly even dabbling in community theater. Randy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to every person he met – his passing is felt deeply by many near and far. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for your support in memorial contributions to Autism Speaks as Randy was a fierce advocate for all of his grandchildren.
The four artists’ letter comes just two days after Artforum published an essay by Hannah Black, Ciarán Finlayson, and Tobi Haslett titled “The Tear Gas Biennial,” in which they called out the artists in the biennial for not boycotting the exhibition over Kanders’s presence on the museum’s board.What this really means: We (anyone) can now start going throught the boards of all museums, and universities, and 503(c) and whatever, and if we don't like what one of the trustees or board members does for a living, of where his/her samolians are invested in, we can now demand that artist do not show in those museums or organizations!*
He has examined insular communities from the Galician Massif to the Hasid in Brooklyn, incorporated the Mexican artist Frieda Kahlo into his work (just before a movie about her life took the world by storm) and depicted Che Guevera, the controversial, and revolutionary, physician, author, activist, guerrilla leader and diplomat who, Campello labeled somewhat dismissively in his show as “T-shirt man” because of his unlikely pop-icon status. Fantasy, reality, romanticism and realism — Campello centers his art deeply in context, whether it’s special lighting, revealing code or multimedia interactive experience.
“The main piece in this show is, at least for me, my up-to-date culmination of the incorporation of technology,” he said. “What you see is the back of a woman in a museum, looking at two pieces of artwork on the wall — every five seconds a new portrait pops up — famous artists, politicians— and hidden in the middle of the piece is a spy camera, so as you approach the work, you staring at it becomes part of that portrait gallery. You now are the artwork.”Read the whole cool piece by Chris Slattery here.
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| Portrait présumé de Gabrielle d'Estrées et de sa sur la duchesse de Villars (Gabrielle d'Estrées and One of Her Sisters), 16th century, Musée du Louvre |
Despite what it might look like to the contemporary viewer, a purely queer reading of the work would be misguided. Rather than a depiction of lesbian foreplay, most art historians interpret the painting as an announcement that Gabrielle is pregnant with the King’s illegitimate son. It’s her sister who is signaling this to the audience, not her lover. The fingers wrapped around Gabrielle’s nipple symbolizes the latter’s fertility, an allusion emphasized by the presence of the figure sewing baby’s clothes in the back of the painting.Read the whole fascinating article here.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (ca. 1503–19), the most popular attraction at the Louvre—which itself is consistently the world’s most visited museum—will be relocating for the summer. Though the painting will remain in its air-conditioned and bulletproof encasement, it will be moved on the evening of July 16th from the huge concrete wall on which it has hung for the last 14 years. It will be relocated into its summer home in the Louvre’s Medici Gallery, some “100 paces” away, as the museum’s director Jean-Luc Martinez told the AFP.Read the whole story here.
Hatred is the central element of our struggle! Hatred that is intransigent...hatred so violent that it propels a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him violent and cold- blooded killing machine...We reject any peaceful approach. Violence is inevitable. To establish Socialism rivers of blood must flow! The imperialist enemy must feel like a hunted animal wherever he moves. Thus we’ll destroy him! These hyenas are fit only for extermination. We must keep our hatred alive and fan it to paroxysm! The victory of Socialism is well worth millions of atomic victims!
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| North Atlantic Mermaid (Syreni Caledonii) Watercolor on Paper, circa 2019 12x36 inches |
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| "Your portrait in a gallery of portraits" Charcoal and Conte, Electronic Components, appropriated digital portrait images, miniature spy camera, c. 2017. 40 x 60 inches |
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| Supergirl Flying Naked Charcoal and color pencils on broken unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| Daphne Charcoal and conte on Paper, circa 2019 |
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| T- Shirt God (This is Che) Charcoal and conte with embedded electronics on paper, circa 2014 |
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| Suddenly, There was no fear Charcoal and conte on unfired Bisque, 14 inches diameter, circa 2019 |
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| The Morrigan Charcoal and conte on unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| Gym Rat Charcoal and conte on unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| Eve, Running Away from Eden Charcoal and conte on unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| Woman Falling from the Sky Charcoal and conte on unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| Eve, Running Away from Eden Charcoal and conte on unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| An unmarried man begging his cat for forgiveness Charcoal and conte on unfired Bisque, circa 2019 In a private property in Virginia |
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| Suddenly the answer came to her Charcoal and conte on unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| President Obama Charcoal and conte on borken Bisque, 5x4 inches, c. 2019. |
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| How Do I Love Thee? Sonnets to the Portuguese Homage to E.B.B. Charcoal on broken Bisque 4x3 inches, c.2019 |
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| An unmarried woman Charcoal and conte on broken unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| Frida Kahlo in a Cross of Clouds (Version I) Charcoal, conte, mixed media on Unfired Bisque 7x7x3, circa 1980-2017 |
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| Four versus One Charcoal and conte on broken unfired Bisque, circa 2019 |
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| La Frida Charcoal, mixed media on Unfired Bisque 3.5 round x 4 inches, circa 1997-2017 |
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| Che Guevara (Castrum Canis) Charcoal, conte, mixed media on Unfired Bisque 4.5x3.25 inches, circa 2017 |
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| Obama Laughing Charcoal, conte, mixed media on Unfired Bisque 5x3 inches, circa 2017 |
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| Two American Sailors Charcoal and conte on paper, circa 2019 |
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| A Contemporary Woman in a Gallery of Past Icons Charcoal and conte on paper, circa 2018 |
