Weapon of Choice gallery present 'Mash Media'

Weapon of Choice gallery present 'Mash Media'

Featuring artists:

BYROGLYPHICS
JAMES BAKER
& TRXTR

Opening preview 17th September 6-10pm
Free entry, drinks provided.
Exhibition running until the 11th October 2009

Weapon of Choice Gallery, 14 St Michael's Hill, Bristol, BS2 8DT

Since joining Red Propeller Gallery, who were instrumental in launching the careers of Ian Francis and Guy Denning, a phenomena with a simple formula – hunt down skilled, dedicated and unconventional artists who show a strong political, social or psychological content in their work – James Baker, Byroglyphics (aka Russ Mills) and TRXTR are all definitely heading in the same direction.


Already having shows in LA, Philadelphia and London under their belts, recent record breaking sell out print releases and major works coming up at prestigious urban and contemporary art auctions in London and New York this trio of artists at Weapons of Choice this month are on their way.


With a sell out show at Signal Gallery, London, in May and secondary market pieces already appearing at auction (substantially exceeding their guide prices) BYROGLYPHICS is riding high and has an enormous following. Describing his work as ‘Kitchen Sink Surrealism’ he has, for a long while, been quietly obsessed with Japanese pop culture, especially the Harajuku phenomenon.


‘I love the way that every piece of popular culture from the recent past is smashed together into a garish soup and regurgitated into real life with absolutely no boundaries’
His hybrid of traditional media and digital imaging, focusing on human idiosyncrasies both physical and emotional result in distorted forms both subtle and extreme.


TRXTR – successfully edging his way into the US market last year showing alongside Guy Denning, Charming Baker and Case in Los Angeles and with work accepted into the upcoming Bonham’s New York Contemporary Art Auction, is seriously on his way - Obsessed with sex and war, beauty and celebrity and the relentless destruction of the planet his beautiful mashed media psycho/schizo canvases defy interpretation.

Fresh talent, emerging from the hotbed of creativity, which is Loughborough University School of Art and Design, JAMES BAKER’S painting and prints are a celebration of the inevitable collusion and blending of cultures that now affects even the most distant of societies. These strange visual creations of a 'poly-colour' age are manifested in the 'anything goes' state of Yesyoucanistan, where borders are continually eroded, commercialisation rules and fringe beasts roam as champions of hybridity all resulting in a beautiful, chaotic fusion of screenprint, painting and drawing.

Jody solo show opening at WOC...

Thanks to all that made it along to the 'Jody' solo show opening last Friday. If you missed the show its up until the 13th of September so come check it before its gone. Photos by Lokey, above the artist Jody with John Nation.

Jody solo show at WOC. 14th August 6-10pm

Bristol native Jody began painting at the now infamous Barton Hill Youth Club under the wing of the legendary John Nation in the late 1980’s. After a long break from the graffiti scene he has resurfaced following the success of Felix Braun’s Children of the Can book launched last year.

Returning to the Bristol scene refreshed and reinvented, Jody’s first solo show draws inspiration from the barrage of slick and cynical imagery portrayed through fashion and advertising. No picture can be truly trusted - we are subjected daily to hyper retouched, overly sexualised and false imagery, making us feel aspirational, but at the same time, insecure about own selves. Jody digs just below the polished surface of magazine spreads, movie posters and advertising to uncover a sinister world of false idols and hopes.

Blank and hollow eyes stare back where once perfectly made up faces once did – imagery that was meant to be flawless is subverted, changing the intended meaning into something darker, disturbing and more powerful.

The show opens at the Weapon of Choice Gallery on the 14th August and runs until 13th Sept 2009.

Preview opening 14th August 6-10pm Free entry. Drinks provided.

WoC video

Special thanks to Threenine for putting this little video of Weapon of Choice events together!

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