Closing tomorrow after a two week stint at Gallery 1988’s prestigious Venice location, the “Evolution Will Be Fabulous” exhibition showcases the latest work by hotly tipped Portland based painter and sculptor, Peter Gronquist. Visiting familiar themes, Gronquist presents a series of spectacularly grotesque sculptures, featuring his trademark blend of animal busts, weaponry, designer label references and a staggering amount of 24 karat gold. The works are now available to view and purchase through Gronquist’s Revolution blogspot, with prices ranging from $300 – $8,000.
Whilst many read into Gronquist’s work as a comment on our culture’s glamorisation of violence, war profiteering, rampant consumerism and pervasive branding, the artist insists that his art has no real purpose- apart from satisfying his urge to “make something completely ridiculous”.
“…Then people gave me money for them. So I made a ton of them because I’m a whore. I find that it’s a parody of myself because I also like ridiculous things sometimes for no logical reason. I’m a victim of the rampant consumerism that I parody. It’s all very confusing.“
– Peter Gronquist interview
Check Gronquist’s site here for a look at his extensive collection of painting and sculpture. The “Evolution Will Be Fabulous” pieces are available to purchase through GronquistRevolution here.
Next at Gallery 1988 Venice…
With the end of one great show comes the news of another, with Gallery 1988’s Venice location gearing up for the highly anticipated “Ghosts” exhibition, set to drop next Thursday (November 10th). A collaboration between four of America’s hottest emerging illustrators, including Double Fine’s (Physonauts/Brutal Legend) Scott Campbell, the show features a host of paintings, illustrations and prints, influenced by the artist’s love of the afterlife.
Scott will also be releasing his latest picture book, ‘Amazing Everything- The Art of Scott C’, on Saturday (November 12th) at the gallery, along with the eighth instalment of the Showdowns print set.
(photos- Peter Gronquist)
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