Aussie Artist Johnny Romeo Rocks Porter Contemporary With "Grindhouse!"

What comes to mind when you hear the word "Grindhouse?" A Tarantino movie?  That's the image I immediately conjure up, like most people, right?  Acclaimed Australian artist Johnny Romeo nails it through his tough, colorful, pop-contemporary, acclaimed art works.  He describes his latest exhibition "Grindhouse" as a "napalmed-drenched love letter to the cinema and further describes his works as a celebration of sex, drugs and rock n' roll."  That is what we saw and loved at Porter Contemporary last week as they presented Romeo's killer-debut solo show in the states.

Romeo's rich colors, strong lines and true grit show his vivid aesthetic that's capturing worldwide attention.  He's represented by galleries in Australia and New Zealand and is now making his mark on NYC.

 

Johnny Romeo and Jessica Porter

"Romeo's pop-savvy approach lends the series an air of witty nostalgia in this tongue-in-cheek examination of the grim world of Grindhouse," says Jessica L. Porter, Founder and Director of Porter Contemporary.  

The artist by his signature piece, and my favorite!

It was an honor to meet Romeo and talk with him about his latest pieces and collaborative work with the band Blink-182. (You can see more of that on his website listed below.)  

   GQ magazine describes his art as "punk and pop, rock n' roll graffiti."

Another favorite artist represented by Porter; Jason Bryant

You can't miss this one, trust me - again. The vibrant colors alone will perk up your winter!

 Romeo's exhibition runs through March 30, 2013 and the gallery is located in Chelsea at 548 W28th.  

Also visit http://portercontemporary.com & http://johnnyromeo.net/blog-wp/

Art/Fashion Mix: Will Cotton Presents Elle Fanning for NY Fashion Week 2013

This art/fashion mix was a no brainer the second I opened the New York Magazine's Spring Fashion Issue.  Will Cotton Shooting Elle Fanning in elaborate Cotton-styled edible gowns? Truly unique, I'm on it!  And, truly Will Cotton.  (You've seen his work decorating celebs and musicians for cd covers, Katy Perry, etc.)  Here's what I could gather from the online spread and a few words from the magazine:
 "Will Cotton Shoots Elle Fanning: For New York Magazine's spring fashion spread, Will Cotton, painter of sickly sweet compositions of nude women and landscapes of fluffy candy, shot 14-year-old starlet Elle Fanning amidst giant candy canes and hearts, her body wrapped in an icing corset. "I just felt like she got it,” Cotton said of the shoot with Fanning. "I don’t think any of it struck her as ridiculous."    
The shots are again, very Cotton-style, totally unique and Lucius as always with elements of surprise in the mega detailing.  Take a look at this art/fashion mix....

The drawing that stopped me cold!

Visit:   http://www.willcotton.com

and

 http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/02/video-elle-fannings-candy-coated-photo-spread.html

for more!

The Amazing, Dazzling World of OLEK! JLG Presents Her 2nd Solo Show Spectacle!

Upon entering the building of the Jonathan LeVine Gallery this past Saturday evening, you knew you were in for a spectacle - and it was much more than I could have imagined.  Once you were greeted by this flag bearer (below), then exiting off the elevator manned by an OLEK servant in pink, purple and gold, you stepped into another world; the world of OLEK.  Welcome to her second solo show at the gallery; "The End Is Far."  

My words cannot describe all that was going on and the elaborate detailing of each piece of art, in each room, (especially the installation room and the swing), you simply need to head over to the gallery and see for yourself.   
You've seen her crochet, camouflage patterned work covering a variety of objects such as shopping carts, parking meters, bikes, the Wall Street bull and much more around the streets of NYC.  Now, you can see a super pristine close up of the yarn bombing, crafter/artists solo exhibition...

The panels....more below.

Polish born, (1978), New York based artist OLEK (below), has shown in galleries and museums worldwide and been featured in the NY Times, Village Voice, Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC, NBC...and you get it, the list goes on.  Her latest show at the gallery features new multi-layered crocheted sculptures and panels inspired by events that transpired in the past year in her life.  Themes of freedom, justice, feminine power, boxing gloves, skulls (lots!), and horseshoes adorn the many works of mixed media art.

The artist, OLEK above.

Step into the installation room - you'll see many of these photos here, this masterpiece room, not wall, full ROOM, contains a dining table set with china, fruit bowls, skulls and wine bottles with female performers throughout the opening night.  The photos don't do the scene justice, again, you must see this in the less crowded gallery setting.  The detailing is endless and truly inspirational.

Performance artist on the swing....

Also on view, Parra (below), with his show "Tracy Had A Hard Sunday," another one not to miss, paintings, drawings and sculpture, both conveniently in the same gallery.

Going down....and some wolves entering upon my exit.  

Very fitting.  

The gallery is located at 529 W20th St. 9th floor, visit www.jonathanlevinegallery for more info.  The shows will be on display until March 23, 2013.  You've got plenty of time, now go, you'll thank me later!  Also visit:

http://nymag.com/homedesign/spring2011/agata-oleksiak-2011-5/ - nice feature, learn more.

www.agataolek.com  - All about OLEK 

&

http://byparra.com/who/