Opening Celebration Saturday August 6th, 7-10 pm
RSVP to rsvp@kpprojects.net
Early Preview: preview@kpprojects.net
KP PROJECTS / MERRY KARNOWSKY GALLERY
633 N. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 / Tel 323-933-4408 / kpprojects.net
Hello friends!
Welcome to those who are newer here, and high fives to everyone who has been here for awhile. The last year has been a surreal whirlwind of creation. I've been so busy in the studio that I've rarely taken a moment to pause and share what I've been up to. There's been a lot and I intend to keep you all more filled in about upcoming releases, exhibitions, apparel, etc.
I'll start off with one that is still blowing my mind. I’m super honored to be exhibiting a new work called “Do You Copy?” for the KP Projects 25th Anniversary show (Painting info below). It’s unlikely you haven’t heard of Merry Karnowsky if you’re an art lover, but in case you haven’t: According to American Art Collector Magazine editor Sarah Gianelli (June 2022 issue) “Gallerist Merry Karnowsky is something of a legend in the Los Angeles art world. Recognized for her pioneering role in elevating the Surreal Pop and Lowbrow art movements that originated in the late 1980s from the streets into the spotlight.”
Once a small but refined counter-culture space, Merry’s gallery has grown to become a respected powerhouse in the contemporary art world. Embracing the emerging movements of Pop Surrealism, Low Brow, New Contemporary, and Street Art, Karnowsky’s keen eye that supported the early careers of artists Shepard Fairey, Todd Schorr, Mark Ryden, Camille Rose Garcia, Kent Williams, Friends With You, Toshio Saeki, Victor Castillo, Mercedes Henlwein, Vonn Sumner, as well as photographers Vivian Maier and Henri Dauman has sustained her reputation and vision for two and a half decades.
It’s so humbling to be exhibiting among these greats. Merry is not only an amazing Gallerist but is an incredible human being and I’m especially honored to call her my friend.
THE PAINTING (Click images to enlarge):
Title: "Do You Copy?"
Size: Approximately 16" x 32". The panels are laser cut to the shape of the lighting bolt and walkie talkie.
Materials: Oil and glow In the dark acrylic on laser cut wood. The painting consists of two panels, the walkie talkie and the lightning bolt, connected one on top of the other to create an additional sense of depth.
About the work: When we think back to our happiest early memories, they usually involve some sort of adventure. Most of my work revolves around the essence of what it feels like to be young, wild and free. For me, the walkie talkie represents a gateway to the past – a way to time travel back to when we used our imaginations to construct elaborate narratives around made up missions and treasure hunts. It’s joined by a lightning bolt which is the radio signal that connected us, and persisted even amongst the fireflies in the dark of the night. The instigator of all this mischief lies in our alter egos, when we saw ourselves as all powerful and unburdened by rules, answerable to no one: the little blue monster in us all.
Extras: The lightning bolt glows in the dark and is adorned with a hidden message written in Morse code on the side. The walkie talkie can be used to decode the message.
For info on purchasing this piece please contact the gallery at info@kpprojects.net
I hope to see you at the opening Saturday August 6, 6-9PM PST. The show will be up thru August 27th. If you are unable to attend the Opening there will be an event on the 27th to close the show as well. Stay tuned for more info!
-DANKO