History Plundered.
The Art of Generic Art Solutions.
The Raft, 2010.
(After The Raft of Medusa, Theodore Gericault, 1818-1819.)
New Orleans based artists, Tony Campbell & Matt Vis, work under the name Generic Art Solutions and have just mounted their first solo museum show at The New Orleans Museum of Art.
Simultaneously, Jonathan Ferrara Gallery is showing new & recent works by the artist team, some of which have been included in the NOMA exhibition.
The works shown defy genre & medium and engage in razor-sharp cultural commentary that is both humorous and deeply critical by referencing iconic works of art and cultural history.
G.A.S.:
… we plunder art history in order to shed light on today. In doing this, we have found that human nature hasn’t really changed throughout the ages. Casting ourselves in every role, we explore through art the issues of identity and the recurring themes of humanity.Miranda Lash, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art:
Generic Art Solutions thoughtfully uses the language of art history to comment on present day concerns. They update the formal strategies of Western masters such as Manet, Rubens and Caravaggio into themes as diverse as illegal immigration, capital punishment and man-made disasters. Their goal is not to precisely replicate historical paintings. Rather they employ déjà vu as a critical tool, stimulating a dialogue between past and present.
Impressive. Important.
Déjà Vu All Over Again: Generic Art Solutions
At the New Orleans Museum of Art & Jonathan Ferrara Gallery.
www.jonathanferraragallery.com
Shown here:
Archival Inkjet Print on Photographic Paper, 30 by 45 inches. Edition|11.
Installation Edition: Inkjet Print on Billboard Paper, 10 by 16 feet.
