LOOK INTO MY OWL

Steve Gianakos has again, for the fifth time now, filled Fredericks & Freiser with a wonderful attack on the wholesome. The show runs through February 18th at the Chelsea gallery and I highly recommend seeing the paintings in person.

Steve Gianakos, She Decided to Throw the Party Anyway, acrylic on canvas, 2011.

The opening night was very well attended. Coats came off and it seemed that people wanted to stay. There existed a noticeable boundary between the viewers and the paintings. The glances this work received were short as though it would be psychologically telling to be caught gazing. The minimal approach to the craft is a clever response to this natural behavior. It’s OK now here online, go ahead, peel back those lids and have a good long stare.

Steve Gianakos, It Had An Abrupt Melodramatic Conclusion, acrylic on canvas, 2011.

There is no cause for concern, these disturbances do not leave lasting harm on the psyche. They are retained as clever reminders to genuine diversity. Steve Gianakos has been pricking us for some time now and we can’t get enough.

Steve Gianakos, The Farm Had Been Rescinded Just A Month Earlier, acrylic on canvas, 2011.

Steve Gianakos
New Paintings
19 January – 18 February 2012
Fredericks & Freiser Gallery
NYC

Images courtesy of Fredericks & Freiser Gallery.

The Complete Spot Paintings of Damien Hirst opened simultaneously at Gagosian Gallery locations across the planet yesterday. The eight lucky cities to host the eleven events are New York, Beverly Hills, London, Paris, Rome, Geneva, Athens and Hong Kong. More than one hundred and fifty individuals and institutions lent works to make this exhibit possible.

“The Complete Spot Challenge” is a goal set by the artist that rewards successful participants with a personally dedicated spot print should they visit all eleven galleries during the exhibition. Check with the gallery for details and get ready to log some serious frequent flyer miles.

Damien Hirst, Zirconyl Chloride, household gloss on canvas, 2008.

No one piece held me mesmerized longer than any other but the concept as a whole for this exhibit completely blew me away. Placing dots on the map and covering the empire was a gesture that further cemented Mr. Hirst as a man that is not afraid to take every advantage of his position.

Damien Hirst, The Complete Spot Paintings, installation view, New York, 2012.

I haven’t checked in with the press on this one yet but it is as sure as sunrise that the response to this impressive undertaking will be largely negative. It is a regrettable certainty that follows any artist commanding this much attention. The truth, however, is that looking around the largest of the rooms opening night at Gagosian on 24th Street in New York City revealed no unhappy faces.

Damien Hirst, The Complete Spot Paintings, installation view, New York, 2012.

Damien Hirst
The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011
12 January – 18 February 2012
Gagosian Gallery
NYC

Images courtesy of Gagosian Gallery.

The past few months I have been laying low in Western Massachusetts. During this stay, I had the opportunity to visit the studio of a very talented artist who lives in the area. Huge thanks to Lisa Foster for her hospitality and for letting me run around her awesome studio space with a camera.

Lisa has been making fantastic paintings for years but has only recently began to actively share her creations outside of her close circle. Showing work through her website and social media outlets has flourished in immediate and growing attention for more.

Her life sized, mixed media, self portraits known as “Lisa Shapes” command complete attention when encountered. It is a sensation that could be likened to a meeting as much as a viewing. Foster has been through a lot in her life. Some traumatic experiences had left her “in pieces.” Her work, the process and product, have been helping her to feel whole again. The genuine nature of this approach has been manifesting very powerful results.

The large canvases are accomplished with acrylic paint, medium and reproduction quilting fabrics. It’s easy to keep up with the production of her new work online. In addition to that, I encourage you to see the pieces in person. It is a real treat that offers new insight. I hope that you enjoy this studio visit as much as I did.

To learn more about Lisa Foster, please visit her website at: www.lisaafoster.com