(Post transferred, original content posted May 5, 2016)
As most of my friends can attest, I've spent many of my waking hours over the past 4 months on a new body of work, titled 'Belongings'. The opening reception is this evening (May 5) from 6-10 PM at Hashimoto Contemporary. Please come say hello and take a look at the new drawings!
Centered on the almost talismanic relationship we all have with the things we possess, 'Belongings' is an exploration of the way my subjects self-define through memorable, often eccentric, visible ownership.
Jack and Jack's Cane, 60x98in each, Charcoal & Graphite on Paper
Jack and Jack's Cane, cropped
The exhibition consists of 4 large-scale diptychs and 4 smaller works. Each of the diptychs explores an item of particular significance to a subject, as well as the subject themselves. Isolated in an almost decedent amount of negative space, the drawings are my attempt to understand the powerful significance we give to the things we own -- particularly the way in which our possessions shape and define our own senses of self-identity.
Spaceman #7 and Spaceman's Helmet, 48x87in each, Charcoal & Graphite on Paper
Spaceman #7 and Spaceman's Helmet, cropped
The exhibition also includes 4 smaller works, each touching on a larger space or set of objects. Several of the photo references for these were shot in a large encampment under Division Street in San Francisco during the recent Super Bowl. The sports-centered 'clean up' effort, in which much of downtown San Francisco saw homeless individuals forced to move to less visible areas for the month, created a short term, large-scale encampment until the camera crews left and San Francisco returned to normal.
Tennessee & Dale, 23.5x14.5in, Charcoal & Graphite on Paper
Dwayne, 13.x17in, Charcoal & Graphite on Paper
The exhibition runs from May 5 - 28. A full collectors preview and price list can be found here - please email Megan Cerminaro at HashimotoContemporary@gmail.com if you would like further information.