Showing Images From The Push Over
Solo Show of Paintings/Sculptures, June – July, 2005
Billy Shire Gallery, Culver City, CA
Artist’s Statement (In Retrospect):
The title had two different meanings to me. On one hand I was looking at the point when someone looses their mind. On the other hand I was feeling a shift in the way that my art was percieved… Like I was pushing my way into a new world. There was, as usual, no artist’s statement for this show. My hope was that people would get it without me explaining anything, but looking back, I think it was a missed opportunity to push the concept further than I did. This was the year that Billy opened up his Culver City space and it really felt like the whole lowbrow thing was gonna blow up. The look of the show was very much inspired by François Rabelais’ illustrations from the 15th century. The use of French renaissance imagery was very intentional. While other paintings in the show were very personal and self-reflective, this painting, titled “Armor Totem” was intended as a sort of artist’s statement. I saw it as a creature (or perhaps a suit of armor with me inside) that was prepared to do battle with the established art world. Ironically, it was sold by the gallery to someone that they referred to as a “very important” collector who asked to remain anonymous!