Hamiltonian Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of new works by Alex Kondner, Ian MacLean Davis, Linda Hesh and Bryan Rojsuontikul, opening Saturday, February 20, 2010. Through the repetition of a particularly burdened word, object, material or image, each artist utilizes the visual residue of popular culture to address the roots of current sociopolitical mores.

In the series Evacuate, Alex Kondner trades in the seemingly nonessential physical attributes of traditional artist materials for disposable ones, such as play-sand and faux fur. Excerpts from historical speeches and 80’s New Wave song lyrics mix to comprise the neon-colored sandy text in three paintings. In other paintings, the repeated word “evacuate” fills the surface of the canvas while screen-printed images of apocalyptic Japanese landscapes float on top. The contrasting elements of Kondner’s pieces bring to mind the blur of today’s frenetic visual culture.

Ian MacLean Davis appropriates imagery from mass-produced sources drawn from fine art and pop culture. Davis then distorts and layers these images to depict how technology and information saturation affect our memory and perception of gender. Two paintings, Golem and Lithe, bring to mind clichéd male and female bodies from popular media. Pours of syrupy paint are covered by overlapping threads of viscous enamel, masking an underlying image and portraying the murky lens with which the two sexes view each other.

In Words in Space, Bryan Rojsuontikul creates minimalist works by spray painting text on canvases faced with tiny foam balls that make up the underlayment of linoleum tile. One work consists of the phrase “Art is Cancer” repeated on canvases differing only in their background colors. Below the canvases, 80 silver floor tiles reflect the phrase back at the viewer. Rojsuontikul relates this to the subtle evolution and growth of art, which he believes cannot be hindered or rationalized.

Linda Hesh -- “In The Garden”: Installation of Photographs, Sculpture and Video

Starting in the Garden of Eden, naughty Eve has been paying the price for convincing Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. Ever since she has been conveniently left out of history and getting paid half his salary. It wasn't until the middle ages that the notorious fruit became an apple, illustrating this seminal event for a world of illiterates. Painters chose the shiny, plump, familiar red fruit which I am using to represent the beginning of gender disparity. I have common apples laser etched with the word “EVIL” and then I either photograph them in installations or turn them into sculptural objects. The photographs place the “EVIL” apples in settings with gender, bible or fairy tale associations such as a pristine kitchen, an apple orchard, or in the hands of a little girl. Sculptural presentations include apples preserved in alcohol and freeze dried as a metaphor for preserving ancient stereotypes of male and female roles.

This group of work is in line with my past explorations of human connections, whether it's personal or political, an intimate relationship or a marginalized group. I work in series starting with a word or sentence that exemplifies and distills a situation. I am very conscious of speaking to an audience, declaring private musings publicly to play with taboos or challenge social norms. The didactic nature of the bold words derives from our desire to communally declare and explore our seemingly private selves. I have definite ideas that motivate and direct my work, but I am open to viewers experiencing and interpreting my art as it relates to their own lives.

Please contact Hamiltonian Gallery Director Jacqueline Ionita with all inquiries. 202.332.1116, Jackie [@]hamiltoniangallery.com

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