[art/comix] SCALZO, PETRUCCI, BRANDOU, BURKE, EXTREMO EXHIBIT IN SEATTLE
Roq la Rue Gallery
presents "A Sweet Sickness"
new paintings by
Lisa Petrucci, Kevin Scalzo, Dave Burke, Andrew Brandou and Extremo the Clown
Opening Friday May 9th 6-10pm
Roq la Rue is pleased to present a group show of new paintings by five artists for May. Entitled "A Sweet Sickness" the works exhibited are all varied in style, yet all share a vivid exuberance about them combined with a underlaying layer of carnivalesque creepiness. Taking cues from everything from vintage children's books, carnival sign painting, '60s TV shows, Charles Addams, and japanese cartoons, this show will be a cartoon sideshow of pop whimsy.
Lisa Petrucci takes found wooden plaques, strips them, and repaints them with images of her personal and visual obsessions, such as unknown, low-budget pin up girls, Liddle Kiddles and other hyper-girly toys of the '60s and '70s, and big eyed Keane inspired animals. She then coats the painting in a thick layer of Envirotex, giving them a super glossy candy-like coating. While Lisa says her work is " technically more akin to the arts and crafts hobbies of suburban housewives than the work of serious contemporary artists" her jewel-like work is avidly collected around the country and is often sold before she paints it.
Andrew Brandou is an Los Angeles painter and illustrator who's work are modern day takes on the '50s Beaver Cleaver portrayal of youthful innocence. Aesthetically akin to mid century children's books the works exudes extraordinary charm while he twists his images to juxtapoz a serene image with a creepy vibe...such as a freckled kid in dungarees playing with a troupe of barnyard animals, only in this case the kid is giving the pig a tattoo...
Dave Burke's artistic forte has been the painting of monsters, monsters, monsters... no quarter asked. In his new series he will exhibit a new series of his "Monster Babies"- candy colored renditions of cute lil' shrunken heads, vampirettes, strippers, and space freaks.
Kevin Scalzo is a local painter and illustrator who's signature sweaty, drippy, and cute n'creepy characters have graced both assorted alternative magazines and gallery walls. He will be exhibiting close to twenty new paintings.
And then there is
Extremo the Clown. A 30 year veteran commercial artist, Extremo's work has been featured in traveling carnivals across the U.S. and Canada in the form of funhouse facades and darkride murals. In a strange twist of fate, Extremo was asked to participate in an gallery show in Portland and since then has created a sensation in the West Coast art scene with his "big ass" colorful funhouse characters and creations with no less than 3 gallery shows lined up in Los Angeles this year! Always the character - Extremo says "My favorite art is the overly animated airbrushed crap you see on Cereal boxes, Snap Crackle, Pop Art I call it! That's what I aspire to". Extremo will also be gracing us with the presence of his insane artcar Mirabilis Stauarius Vehiculum at the opening.
Roq la Rue Gallery
2316 2nd Avenue
Seattle WA 98121
http://www.roqlarue.com/
Shows runs through May 31st.
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