PREVIEW – OTHERWORLD @ Roq La Rue [Seattle]
For this exhibit, artists including Josh Keyes & Ryan Heshka, were given the word ‘Otherworld’ and asked to interpret it in whatever way they felt most inspired
The last time that we posted about a group exhibit being held at Seattle‘s infamous Roq La Rue gallery, the “purveyors of fine pop surrealism and contemporary art” were asking a selection of artists to consider what the future might hold for our humble planet if an apocalypse never truly arrives. This time around, the theme is more focused on exploring a completely different world altogether, or, as the press release states, “artists were given the word ‘Otherworld’ and asked to interpret it in whatever way they felt most inspired.” John Brophy and Marthin Wittfooth, two oil painters/Roq La Rue favorites featured in January‘s afforementioned, “I’ll Love You Until The End of The World” show, will both be returning to offer pieces to the new exhibit, which operate as sequels to previous works that they’ve created. Brophy will be showcasing another one of his immaculate, mind-boggling, digital-like renderings, with Wittfooth displaying his trademark, majestic, animal-centric, surrealistic wilderness work. Also featured will be further gallery regulars like Ryan Heshka, with his retro-futuristic comic leanings; Chris Berens, the creator of dreamy washed-out mixed-media works; and Casey Curan, who has contributed yet another one of his brilliantly crafted and mesmerizing kinetic sculptures. Rounding things out will contributions from like Josh Keyes, Sam Wolfe Connelly, Glenn Bar, Dan Quintana, Madeline Von Foerster, Chie Yoshii, Turf One, Derek Nobbs, Tom Bagshaw, Jessica McCourt, and Peter Ferguson, making this both an incredibly varied and impressive lineup.
Since the door’s wide open for this one, what will they pick? “Otherworld“? Hmm… Will someone tackle the Bizarro Justice League? Or, perhaps, they’ll take on the the late-80s/early 90s Sinbad and Liza Bonet vehicle, A Different World, addressing the issues faced by young minority, upper-middle class college students of the time. What about Another World, the NBC daytime soap opera that ran for 35 years, from 1964 – ’99, and can claim Morgan Freeman, Ray Liotta, Ving Rhames, and Eric Roberts as one-time cast members. The answer to all of these questions is, obviously, “No, of course not.” What I can guarantee, however, is that this show will be much more interesting and thought-provoking than anything that I’ve just suggested.
Otherworld opens tomorrow at Roq La Rue‘s new location in the Pioneer Square district of Seattle. I haven’t been down to the new spot, personally, but it looks like a beautiful space, and anyone that’s made it out to anyone one of their previous openings in the past should know that these are events worth attending. There’s always music and free beverages, not to mention that the art looks substantially better up close.
Check out preview images for the exhibit below the following event details…
WHAT:
Roq La Rue Presents – “Otherworld“
Group Show Invitational
WHEN:
Opening:
Thursday, June 6th
6pm-9pm
WHERE:
Roq La Rue Gallery
532 1st Ave S.
Seattle, Wa 98104
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Opening is ALL AGES w/NO COVER
Complimentary beverages provided
Music by DJ Vodka Twist/Sponsored by Renegade Wine Co.
Exhibit will be on view until July 27th.
The gallery is open from 1 – 6pm from Wednesday – Saturday.
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/487061948003544/
[click images to enlarge]
Glenn Barr
” Idyll Descending ”
acrylic on wood
13.5″ x 20″
John Brophy
” Forever Yours 2 ”
oil on panel
14″ x 20″
Madeline Von Foerster
” Carnival Insectivora (Cabinet for Cornell and Haeckel) ”
oil and egg tempera on panel
14″ x 20″
Sam Wolfe Connelly
” Autumn Window ”
graphite on paper
11″ x 14″
Dan Quintana
” Spectre in Grey ”
oil on wood panel
14″ x 18″
Josh Keyes
” The Chase ”
acrylic on panel
14″ x 28″
Ryan Heshka
” Mystery Twins ”
acrylic and mixed media on panel
12″ x 16″
Chie Yoshii
“ Medusa ”
oil on canvas on panel
9″ x 14″
Chie Yoshii
“Narcissus ”
oil and egg tempera on panel
24″ x 30″
Martin Wittfooth
” Nocturne 2 ”
oil on canvas
46″ x 56.5″
Jean Labourdette (Turf One)
“Shrine ”
oil and gold leaf on wood (customized antique wood cabinet)
18″ x 9.5″ x 6″
Derek Nobbs
” Lord of Squalor Harbor ”
mixed media (watercolor, gold leaf, ink) on paper
13.5″ x 18.5″
Tom Bagshaw
” Night Swimming ”
digital painting, edition of 1 only (varnished and framed)
14″ x 19″ image 19″ x 24″ framed
Peter Ferguson
” The Port Arthur Pillow Fight ”
oil on panel
11″ x 14″
Peter Ferguson
” A Medic ”
oil on panel
11″ x 16″
Jessica McCourt
“The Cave Dweller ”
watercolor on paper
12″ x 16″
Chris Berens
“ Or Was It China ”
mixed media, ink, bistre, graphite, transparent paper on panel
26″ x 31″
Casey Curran
” The Broken Crown (left) ”
mixed media kinetic sculpture
36″ x 24″ x 11″