|
Opening Reception: June 8th, 2013 | 6pm - 10pm
Exhibition Dates: June 8th - July 20th, 2013
Mirus Gallery | 540 Howard Street | San Francisco, CA
SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2013 - Mirus Gallery is pleased to announce Dreamtime: New Surrealism, a group exhibition featuring work by NoMe Edonna, Joseba Eskubi, Christine Gray, Joe Hengst, Sam Green, Marcus Jansen, Kate Shaw, Erling Sjovold, Alex Stursberg and Michael Zansy. Dreamtime: New Surrealism will examine the use of surrealistic imagery within contemporary art practices.
The Surrealists of the early 20th century attempted to resolve the contradiction implied in the reality/dream binary. The movement was revolutionary in its essence, born from the political upheaval of war-torn Europe, and responsive to the increasing cultural influence of non-Western society and the development of modern psychology. Artists of the era set out to create new imagery in an effort to better reflect the modern condition. Nearly 100 years later many artists continue to use fantastical imagery rooted in dreamscapes to relate to the realities of the increasingly fragmented, global, and at times senseless world we live in.
Dreamtime: New Surrealism considers how this approach has developed over time, changing to meet the aesthetic tastes of contemporary artists, yet rooted in an essentially similar practice of delving into the subconscious to reinterpret perceptions of reality. The artists featured in the show represent a range of artists working in the Surrealist tradition, from Pop Surrealism to Postmodern appropriation of surrealistic imagery.
NoMe Edonna explores the shifting boundaries of nature and technology in our rapidly changing world. His paintings and drawings borrow heavily from Dada, Surrealism and Art Nouveau with a street art influence that relates more directly to todayâs urban landscape. The work often directly address social, political, and environmental concerns, which speak to the viewer about the conditions that inform our place in history while interpreting these situations within the long view of human civilization.
Joseba Eskubiâs paintings of abstract, semi anthropomorphic beings relate to Surrealism through the juxtaposition of these forms against their landscape. The central figures bleed into and meld with the atmosphere they exist in, the viewer is challenged to distinguish between the inner and outer realms represented on the canvas. The paintings evoke some of the strongest Surrealistic imagery, that of the Dalinean bleeding clock, while forging new ground in the often overlooked realm of abstraction in contemporary practice.
Kate Shawâs re-interpretations of landscape painting examine the ever evolving relationship between humans and the natural world. The paintings offer the usual sensory pleasure of seeing nature presented in a pleasing and stimulating way, while also calling into question the artificiality of relating to nature through art. This tension underlines the eternal struggle of humanity to both long for and fear our connection to the wild.
The dramatic and optics-defying work of Michael Zansky dispel Modern notions of culture and nature as mutually exclusive entities. The natural order is distorted as equally as the cultural, seemingly historical objects he displays in his dense, non-sequitur paintings. His work creates a sense of irrationality and chaos, sensations which challenge preconceived notions of the order and clarity of civilized society.
Mirus Gallery is a dynamic exhibition space established by entrepreneur, Paul Hemming. The gallery features a program of contemporary artwork by emerging and mid-career artists in both solo and thematically organized group shows. Mirus Gallery will highlight work that emphasizes skill and process and aims to engage viewers on a sentient, emotional and evocative level.
In 2013, the initiation of an artist-in-residency program will pursue the galleryâs values of community and collaboration by providing a live-in/on-site studio space for artists to make and exhibit work in a supportive environment, conducive to creativity.
Gallery Hours
Tuesday â Saturday 10-6
Location
540 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA
94105
Gallery Contact
monica@mirusgallery.com
Media Contact
Danielle Grant
danielle@aopublic.com
415.860.0767
www.AOpublic.com
Above image: Joseba Eskubi, Untitled, 2013, oil on canvas, 73x54 cm
|
