The Shooting Gallery Presents: “The Boogie Disease”
Solo Exhibit of New Works by Van Arno
Opening Reception: Saturday January 10th, 2009 from 7pm-11pm. Open to the Public.
Showing January 10th, 2009 through February 7th 2009.
Los Angeles artist, Van Arno, comes to The Shooting Gallery for his third annual solo show. A series of 15 oil pantings on canvas and wood, combines elements of Arno’s trademark ingredients: extreme composition, a surrealist premise and popular mythology from the collective subconscious.
This time around, Arno’s paintings move in a new direction of realism. He presents multi-figure compositions of superstar icons, such as Tina Turner, Suzi Quatro and Johnny Cash, rather than the archetypical characters he normally portrays. He noticeably demonstrates a progression, into a smoother painting style, including text and an more gestural compositions. To push his figures in maximal proportions, they are enmesched in dynamic narratives that heighten their physical form. He continues to deviate from the norm, with altered and extreme postures, self proclaiming the description “uber-mannerism.”
Arno traces the arc, stretching from the Mississippi Delta through Liverpool, to the Sunset Strip with music and art, of the Blues Folk era. “The Boogie Disease” re-examines the pre-civil rights, African American southerners, who found a reprieve in creating a new form of folk art, which later dominated the second half of the 20th century. Apart from visual art, Arno’s paintings are influenced by the original innovators of music, including characters from the 60’s and 70’s Blues era. In the painting above, Kali, an inspired deity redolent of the The Plague depicted in the middle ages is burning a swath through the calm countryside. This painting reminds us of America’s fears in the past that “black music” was a danger to society but as Arno reminds us “the fear is as old as ragtime and as new as Lil Wayne.” Past exhibits have displayed Van’s fascination with Christian, Mayan, and American history, while this exhibit brings Americans closer to their social history.
The Shooting Gallery is proud to present “The Boogie Disease” solo exhibit of new works by Van Arno on January 10th, 2008. There will be an opening reception from 7pm until 11pm. This exhibit runs through the month of January until February 7th, 2008 and is open to the public.
Location: The Shooting Gallery
839 Larkin St.
SF CA 94109
For more information, see shootinggallerysf.com or call 415-931-8035.
The "The Shooting Gallery is the definitive gallery of Pop Surrealism and Outsider Art and New Brow in San Francisco. Since 2003, the Gallery’s ongoing exhibition schedule features such internationally renowned artists as Shepard Fairey, Robert Williams, Ron English, Shawn Barber, Yumiko Kayukawa and a host of new art stars.
Justin Giarla, owner and curator of the Shooting gallery is also heavily involved in his philanthropic efforts to serve the local community through benefit art auctions for local non-profit organizations in SF. The Shooting Gallery is located at 839 Larkin Street in San Francisco. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday – Noon to 7pm Also owned and curated by Justin Giarla are Whitewalls, Gallery Three and D.A. ARTS.
