July 2008 Exhibition


"MASSIVE MARKETS"

Group Show: Pamela Johnson, Anne Karsten
July 4th- July 31st

Opening Reception: Saturday, July 5th 6pm-9pm
(Gallery Crawl)

Press Release:

THE SHOWROOM is proud to announce a group exhibition of two artists from Chicago exploring various aspects of consumerism, bringing light to both the unique and mass-produced objects that shape our everyday accessibility. 

Pamela Johnson strives to enlarge, literally, our awareness of the luxuries that we consume and that consume us daily. Through oversized alluring canvases, Johnson presents these all-American mass produced foods such as Girl Scout Cookies and Gummi Bears in regal and dramatic compositions emphasizing light and shadow.  This masterly approach draws attention to our endorsement of these decadent everyday fares. Johnson’s goal however, is “to invoke reflection on embracing a culture of complete and instant gratification while ignoring the consequences of our indulgences.”  These large scale highly representational paintings truly leave the viewer simultaneously hungry and self-aware of their personally indulgent experiences with these nationwide favorite foods.  On a more formal note, if one can get past the salivation factor, it is clear that Johnson’s time consuming realistic technique is one of enormous talent.  Her exaggerated canvases and pop subject matter add a contemporary flare, leaving us dazzled and thoroughly engaged in a realm of glorified heaps of mass-consumed goodness.  Pamela has received much deserved regard amongst the collectors’ circle and the corporate world.  She has also been chosen as Artist of the month in October’s issue of The Artist’s Magazine. 

Anne Karsten’s eBay series exhibits a similar consumer inquisition but on a level that examines the uniqueness of the multitude of objects displayed in extreme accessibility as opposed to products that are mass-produced.  This prolific series of small “psychological portraits” references the emotional element inherent with purchases made on eBay, as we the consumer place the value on the object.   Karsten explains that “this work is about the ways that we assign value to our possessions; none of the objects are real, they were inspired by objects for sale on eBay.”  Each painting’s surrealistic tendency is emotionally heightened by Karsten’s pleasant use of color, creating consistent beauty in the way she sees the ‘things’ that we consume.



For additional information or images please contact Sera Davis at info@seradavis.com  or at 347 306 1859.

 

Pamela Johnson

Anne Karsten