GRAPHIC GRISTLE
by Carlo McCormick



One of the most singularly subversive figures to emerge from the underground in the past 20 years, Todd James has delivered in his first real solo show -- closing at the Gering & López Gallery tomorrow, Feb. 20, 2010 -- a potent dose of raw visual transgression that is outstanding in its comic vitriol. It can be hard to imagine how his kind of ultra-aggressive whimsy and lurid political sleaze plays in that bastion of moneyed elegance that is Fifth Avenue, save that it seems utterly appropriate that the gallery is in the same building as the Manhattan offices of Playboy Magazine. But rest assured there is nothing in this furious visual onslaught that would diminish James’ most badass rep of impeccable street cred.

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