Sheboygan – September 27, 2011

EFFJAY PROJEKTS is pleased to announce “J’aime la bête” (I love the beast) featuring new paintings by Tony Conrad. Join us on Saturday, October 8 from 5 to 8 pm for an artist reception. The gallery is located at 604 Erie Avenue, Lower Level in Sheboygan.  Exhibition runs from October 6-31, 2011.

Tony Conrad’s paintings explore visual components of social stereotypes and oddities from popular culture. In his most current work, Conrad confronts the small town ideologies he remembers from growing up in Northern Wisconsin with humorous and ironic depictions of trophy hunting. The hybrid paintings exhibit cross-cultural references with use of vibrant colors and patterns influenced by Persian textiles, wallpaper, doilies, camouflage, and 1960s psychedelic rock posters. The pulsing embellishment present throughout the work speaks not only to the mania surrounding many hunting circles, but also to the decadent nature of American culture.

Metaphorically, the paintings represent the complexity of idealized beauty, cultural identity and the euphoric rush of the outdoorsman experience. This work synthesizes these symbolic elements, resulting in a hybridized reality where delicate domesticity and wild outdoor ruggedness all coexist.

image courtesy of the artist

Gallery hours are Thursday & Friday, 5-8pm; Saturday from 11-3pm and by appointment.

Open to the public.

Contact the gallery at 920.559.7181 or effjayprojekts@gmail.com for more information.

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