Tug of War - March 3 - April 7, 2007
Washington DC --- Tug of War, curated by Annie Adjchavanich, opens at Hemphill Fine Arts on Saturday, March 3, 2007 with
an opening reception from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The exhibition remains on view until Saturday, April 7, 2007.
Tug of War features work by:
Ana Bagayan
Glenn Barr
Gary Baseman
Tim Biskup
Scott G. Brooks
Daniel Martin Diaz
Bob Dob
P-Jay Fidler
Tony Fitzpatrick
Jason Houchen
Yumiko Kayukawa
Laura Levine
Chris Mars
Elizabeth McGrath
Scott Musgrove
Nathan Ota
Daniel Peacock
Corey Sandelius
Joe Sorren
SHAG a.k.a. Josh Agle
Yoko Tanaka
Gary Taxali
The exhibition showcases artists working in a style that is often referred to as “Lowbrow” or “Pop Surrealism.” These terms
refer to an alternative art movement that arose in Los Angeles, California in the 1970s, and has roots in underground comics,
punk music and other California subculture. The term “lowbrow” is used to describe the sources of inspiration for the artists.
It is also a way of referencing their aim to critique and undermine highbrow consciousness, which includes the mainstream
notion of what constitutes fine art. In reference to the show’s concept, curator Annie Adjchavanich says,
“The artists were asked to interpret the term, ‘tug-of-war’ as it relates to their own work.
Some artists chose to see it as a struggle between good and evil, while others abstracted
and adapted the concept according to their interpretation of the phrase.”
Tug of War is a survey of some of the most recognized artists working in this style: SHAG, whose work references commercial
art and advertising of the late 1950s and early 60s with tight, clean lines and a slick finish; Gary Baseman, whose success
crosses into the television world as the executive producer of an acclaimed animated series; and Glenn Barr whose imagery
examines and interprets the world through the lens of pulp art and comic book styles. Curator Annie Adjchavanich is the
gallery director of Billy Shire Fine Arts in Culver City, CA.
BOOK SIGNING
March 4, 2007
3:00 to 5:00 pm
Elizabeth McGrath, Bob Dob, Glenn Barr and SHAG will be in attendance to sign their own monographs.
Live phone or radio interviews with any of the artists in the exhibition can be arranged.