As posted on an earlier preview, Morgan Slade is opening his solo exhibition in SF this weekend. Word from Slade is that there should actually be a handful of models in character during the opening so do not miss it if you are in the area.

From Shooting Gallery: “Slade alters his digital photographs of scantily clad women wearing high school mascot heads with paint, pen and pencil. He transforms straightforward images to chaotic madness. His pieces prey on primitive natural instincts with a youthful aesthetic appeal and bright, vibrant colors. By defacing exceptionally striking people, Slade aesthetically changes his figures to appear flawed in some manner. He creates visual critiques of consumerism, advertising and technology by inventing his own symbols or by reusing familiar icons and assigning them a different purpose.”

Morgan Slade: “Fist of Fear, Touch of Death”
The Shooting Gallery
839 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA
Opening: January 9, 2010

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DD got a chance to stop by while Morgan Slade worked on a photo shoot for his upcoming show at San Francisco’s Shooting Gallery. Slade had a gaggle of models and props in his studio while creating the first layer of his multimedia pieces. The photo shoot used animal heads, football helmets and of course bikini’s.

Keep an eye out for Slade as he has several significant shows lined up in 2010 and looks to become a household name before this point next year.

Morgan Slade: “Fist of Fear, Touch of Death”
The Shooting Gallery
839 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA
Opening January 9, 2010

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The Shooting Gallery recently posted two-in-progress pics from Japanese artist Yumiko Kayukawa’s upcoming solo in their spot, Wild Wild East.  These two pieces show off Kayukawa’s clean style which has a definite pop culture focus.  Opening on November 14th, the new show  focuses on creatures inspired by Japanese folklore <On Shooting Gallery News>.

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Since I was up in the City I was fortunate enough to also catch Shawn Barber’s opening at Shooting Gallery. A continuation of his Tattooed Portraits series, Barber elegantly painted portraits of tattoo artists and some of their canvases. Great looking show, another good on from Justin Giarla and the Shooting Gallery.

Word from Shawn is that he is moving to SoCal, so hopefully we will be seeing more of him soon.

Lots more images after the jump.

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The Shooting Gallery in San Francisco will be opening a show of work by Shawn Barber titled “Tattooed Portraits: Snapshots” this month on the 15th.

Shooting Gallery
839 Larkin St between O’Farell & Geary
San Francisco CA

Opening Reception, Saturday, August 15th, 7pm-11pm, 2009

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“Happy Endings”, a new body of works by Greg Gossel opens this week at The Shooting Gallery in San Francisco and DD is excited because we will be on hand for this one. Gossel has created over 50 pieces in his largest show to date, and while he has a style reminiscent of Faile, Gossel certainly adds his own flair.

The exhibit is composed of large scale multi media works reflecting on the existence of consumerism, inequality and oppression alive in American culture. Please join us  for the opening reception on June 13th 2009, from 7-11 pm.

“Happy Endings” debuts a visual repertoire of appropriated pop culture imagery. Within a contemporary context, Gossel comments on the collective conscious using  geometric and typographic elements. He explores an array of media involving silkscreen, experimental Xerox copy and transfers, as well as various found billboard scraps and signage. The raw nature of the collection builds upon the surfaces with rich depth, paint, print and collage. Ranging from pulp novels, romance comics, political references, and fallen icons of the 20th century.

Shooting Gallery
839 Larkin Street in San Francisco
Opening Reception: June 13th 2009, from 7-11 pm

This past weekend, April 11th, the Creep Machine visited the Shooting Gallery for the reception of the traveling “Draw” exhibition curated by Erik Foss and Curse Mackey. The show was massive, with works covering as much wall space as possible. From the moment the show opened right up until the last later hours of the night, the gallery was packed. With so many pieces of art in one area it was a little overwhelming, I also left not knowing whether or not I saw every work of art. Looks like I’ll have to go again.

There were so many amazing works from such artists as Kevin Llewellyn, Glenn Barr, Paul Chatem, Shawn Barber, Sas Christian, HR Giger, David Byrne, Bob Tyrell and many more.

Shooting Gallery SF
839 Larkin St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 931-8035
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Joshua Petker just sent us along some pictures from his opening last weekend in SF. (Images courtesy of the Shooting Gallery)

Looks like a great show, and from the sound of it JP’s work did fairly well as usual. A slightly new direction and larger scale pieces are certainly working for us!

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DD favorite Joshua Petker opens his new solo show “Water Lillies” at the infamous Shooting Gallery in San Frandisco this weekend.

Shooting Gallery
March 14th 7-11pm

Joshua sent over this statement about the upcoming show: “I’ve been told that the best way to stand out in art is to do what no one else is doing. And, at one point, what no one was doing was figurative painting. Now, with figure painting more and more at the forefront of Contemporary Art, I have tried to expand on some of my steadfast personal traits as a painter while attempting something my contemporaries have not. By expanding my paintings in scale, color, atmosphere, and abstraction, I believe I have discovered a much more serious and intellectual approach to painting.”

The preview is looking fantastic, and we really love the new “black wave” paintings, its nice to see something a bit different. We should have some show pics on Monday so check back with us.

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While not an official selection of the SXSW film committee it looks like Justin Giarla and the Shooting Gallery are finding space for the show anyways.

Giarla, has put together a comprehensive body of work from artists interviewed in the film with an exhibit and screenings at the Alternative Cafe in Austin. The exhibit will run for a week, as a tribute to those who’ve made contributions to the Low Brow art movement.

The film, “New Brow”, exposes first hand accounts from artists, galleries, and collectors who initiated and maintained the New American Art Movement.  Documenting the personal studios and makeshift gallery spaces where the movement began, it reveals the raw nature required for a new genre to be created.  The film brings to attention influences often unrecognized or underrated, such as underground comix, Kustum Kulture, graffiti, tattoo, skate and surf, punk art and others amidst Californian sub-cultures.  Among the movement’s history, “New Brow” puts things in perspective, to its major contributor and inspiration, Robert Williams.

More details after the jump

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Music and art collide. Worlds on Fire featuring 25 portraits of Grammy nominated artists from some of the top names in lowbrow and pop surrealism opened on Monday night at the Pacific Electric Lofts in Downtown LA.  Presented by will.i.am of the Black Eye Peas, curated by Shooting Gallery and Kris Lewis, and produced by Gen Art, the show’s VIP opening drew a large crowd and was definitely the place to be Monday night.

To my eye, standout pieces included Lori Earley’s ethereal take on Madonna, Colin Christian’s stunning relief sculpture of Mia, Van Arno’s smokin’ vision of B.B. King and Mr. Brainwash’s unusual record vinyl mosaic of Jay-Z. There were plenty of strong pieces, hit the jump for a look at nearly the entire show.

Each of the show pieces will be sold by silent auction with the proceeds going to the Peapod Foundation. Worlds on Fire runs through Sunday February 8th, so there’s still time to catch the show if you missed the opening.

Pacific Electric Lofts
610 S. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

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LA Painter Van Arno will open The Boogie Disease, his third annual solo at The Shooting Gallery in San Francisco this Saturday, January 10th 2009.   For this show Van Arno continues his trademark “uber-manerism” system but does so with an increased realism in contrast to his prior focus on archetypal character. For The Boogie Disease Van Arno considers pre-civil rights African American Southerners who created a new form of folk-art music which has profoundly influenced western pop culture since midway through the 20th century.  The series of 15 oil paintings explore surrounding social phenomena including irrational concerns over the purportedly negative effects of ‘black music” that now routinely dominates the charts.   The work engages and portrays pop-culture icons such as Tina Turner and Johnny Cash in the extreme postures and compositions that are the staples of Van Arno’s art.

The Shooting Gallery
839 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA

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Kiss Consultation. Ron English. Oil on canvas. 36" x 48".

Ron English, the master of popaganda, is best known for his beautifully rendered and socially incisive contemporary paintings in his unmistakable style and electric color palette.  While he often reworks commercial advertisements, his source of inspiration is quite broad  as exemplified by his continuing body of work featuring interpretations of classical paintings complete with the inclusion of KISS band members and individuals wearing the traditional kiss face paint.

He returns to this seductive juxtaposition for the Secret History of Kiss opening this Saturday, November 1st at The Shooting Gallery in San Francisco.  The work is stunning both in the skill exhibited and the head turning and eye glass adjusting result.  It also encourages viewers to reconsider their own preconceptions of art.  Enjoy the quick preview of selected pieces from the show preview, after the jump.

Shooting Gallery SF
839 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA
415.931.8035

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