Oh, the things Chinese artist Li Hongbo can do with paper!? In 2014 I wrote about his marble busts that are in fact paper, and today… guns that become flowers. Now, I’m a little late to the game on this one, as “Oceans of Flowers” was exhibited for the first time a few years ago. Most recently it was shown at Eight One Art Museum in Beijing last June … I don’t know where it might show up next, but watch for it! Two thousand rainbow-hued paper weapons – from machine guns to hand guns – that unfold into beautiful paper flowers. Stunning.
Gasp! Absolutely stunning oil paintings, overflowing with flora and fauna. This is the work of Brooklyn based painter Marc Dennis, who creates “alternate reality rich with hype, narrative and humor where art, history, nature and pop culture intersect.” I included the close-ups so you could see the gorgeous detail in each of these large-scale beauties, BUT, if you happen to be in New York all of these paintings will be hanging in a fabulous group show at a new gallery that opens on February 2:
“FACTION Art Projects presents their inaugural exhibition, “All That You Have Is Your Soul”, a group show of 17 artists, all of whom are tied together by their responses to building identity within a foreign land. The exhibition uses the link of heritage between the artists to present artworks that celebrate difference in identity.”
Go! ps. FACTION is a new flexible collective, from the team behind the hugely successful Gallery 8 and Coates & Scarry in London, who in this, their foray into the US, are adapting a unique model for artists and gallerists to work together. It sounds fantastic!
Yep. Paintings. Acrylic and airbrush on canvas to be exact. This is the work of Australian painter Amelia Millard. So dreamy … like a layer of white gauze covering each canvas. Happy Monday.
When you’re an artist just starting out, and you can’t afford supplies… what do you do? Yep, just pick them up off the ground! That’s how Pittsburgh based artist Seth Clark got started on his absolutely mind-blowing collages. I wrote about him way back in 2011 and now, in 2018, I finally got to ask him all of my questions! Where does he get all of this stuff, is his studio like an episode of Hoarders, did he build awesome (while incredibly unsafe) tree houses when he was a kid? I got answers for everything! Listen right up there under that gorgeous / derelict collage, or you can subscribe on iTunes.
First up, a bunch of Seth’s collages. Yes, collages… what!?
Bits and pieces of all sorts of things from paper to actual shingles … LOVE.
Ok, so this is the window mountain thing I was talking about that Seth didn’t fully know what I was referring to… that’s because it was actually a work-in-progress shot! The final ended up becoming a piece titled “Hive”:
Yeah. Now THAT is a hive! Stunning.
Next, this is the collaboration Seth did with glass artist, Jason Forck:
Perhaps one of the most amazing collaborations I’ve ever seen! They truly figured out how to blend their artistic skills and talents to create something beautiful. I hope they get the chance to keep working together … LARGE SCALE.
Next, a few of Seth’s sculptures that you can look into/through, and one that’s had a sledge hammer taken to it:
‘On the brink’, indeed. I don’t fully believe him when he says he’s not very handy, but anyway.
And look at this! A peek into Seth’s studio:
Ok, yes… this is crazy. I don’t care, I still want to poke around in there for an afternoon just to see what I could find on the floor! Given that Seth has so many things coming up (links to all below), I’m so thankful that he took a bit of time out to do the podcast; thanks to Saatchi Art for supporting the episode; and big thanks to you for listening! There will be more art for your ear next weekend.
Gorgeous … but lonely. This is the work of American artist Jared Small. All of these dark ‘n stormy oil paintings are part of his latest show, titled ‘Dimension’. If you happen to be in or near Memphis. you can see this work and meet Jared… tomorrow, Saturday January 20th at 11am, Jared will be doing a talk at the David Lusk Gallery in Memphis{97 Tillman St.}. Pop by if you can!
Gorgeous, organic, sculptures … that you can wear. Yes, these are all brooches!? They are the work of Finnish artist/jeweler Terhi Tolvanen. Of course she makes rings, necklaces and earrings as well, but these little sculptures for your lapel made my heart skip a beat. Ok, and I also need this ring:
Oh, the work of Barcelona based artist and illustrator Sonia Pulido. Love. I’ve written about Sonia’s ceramics before, and so today my plan was to focus on her 2D work… but then a bunch of porcelain bird ladies got in there! I couldn’t help myself, they’re just too good.
Gasp! This is the stunning work of Los Angeles based artist Liz Robb. The beads, the dyes, the weaving… seriously I’m having a hard time catching my breath. And, if all of these beauties aren’t enough to be excited by, from what I can tell via her site and her Instagram feed, I’m pretty sure Liz makes a lot of her own dyes!CAUTION: DO NOT EAT POKE BERRIES.
Annnnnnd exhale. These gorgeous mixed media paintings are the work of Montreal based artist Karine Léger. Pebbles in a river, ocean shells, the night sky… or maybe just a little bit of all of that. Here is a description of the way Karine works:
“In the studio, bits of torn and cut-up paper and photographs form a growing stack on the work table. Individual pieces from the pile will be meticulously selected for color, texture and shape, to be arranged and rearranged, assembled and reassembled, in a quest for the right balance.This slow, deliberate, creative process is how Karine builds the foundation of her next work. Nothing is rushed, nothing is forced. She stops only when that balance has been achieved.”
I literally have no idea where to start this week. When your guest is a photographer, filmmaker, installation artist, curator, maker, and general renaissance woman it’s hard to find a place to jump in… so we started at the beginning and covered a fraction of the projects that this woman has been involved with. Yep, I’m talking to American artist, curator etc., Faythe Levine. Listen right up there under that very wise photograph, or you can subscribe on iTunes.
First, a few of her photographs, as Faythe always documents where life takes her:
Ahhhh, dreamy. Up next, a project that if you haven’t seen, you should … her film, followed by a book of the same title, “Handmade Nation”:
It’s so good, and it really is a like a time capsule from those early maker days when everything DIY exploded! Ok, next amazing project. “Sign Painters”, once again a documentary and book:
Faythe and Sam Macon did such a beautiful job on this film. If you haven’t seen it, see it!
Next, the most recent book Faythe put together… an unpublished play written by her friend Merril Mushroom. The play, and now the book, is titled “Bar Dykes”:
There are so many of Faythe’s projects to cover (and we haven’t even discussed the tip of the iceberg?!), but I didn’t want to miss this… Art vs. Craft, a juried show that she organized and ran for ten years (2003-2013) in Milwaukee:
Don’t you want to jump into that photo and do some art shopping!? Me too. And finally, a few very cool photos to go with Faythe’s very cool story… tattoos and new gold tooth included:
Babe. Thank you so much to Faythe for taking a break from her new 9 to 5 life as Assistant Curator at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center to talk to me; thanks to Saatchi Art for supporting the episode; and thank YOU for listening! There will be more art for your ear next weekend.
