Anthony White
Smoke and Mirrors
January 3 - February 16, 2019
Opening Reception: “First Thursday,” January 3, 6-8pm
Artist talk: “Saturday After”, January 5 at noon
Greg Kucera Gallery is excited to announce our first exhibition by Seattle artist, Anthony White. The title of the exhibition, Smoke and Mirrors, refers to the illusion of glamour or prestige employed in so much of contemporary culture’s presentation of lifestyle identity. Seductive portraits, still-lifes portraying nostalgic memorabilia, and objects signifying aspirational desire are prominent aspects of Anthony White’s sculptural paintings. “Painted” on wood panels with a plastic material called polylactic acid (PLA) the resulting works are familiar representations of consumerism and brash, instagram-style representations as viewed through the lens of an iPhone.
White’s ongoing series of discarded “found objects,” comment on how certain commercial products might signal a specific status. Similarly, a series of “designer bags,” which previously held luxury items, signify a societal stereotypes.
“We live in an age of material abundance, but capitalism values scarcity in the churning of ‘“limited editions” and advertisements of exclusivity. My work sits in this contradictory space in the midst of inaccessible abundance.
My work is also blatantly saying, ‘You Are Your Selfie’, unlike the popular opinion that you are not. I enjoy the way that this truism jumps back and forth between fallacy and truth. With the growth of technology we actually have the ability to curate the perception of our own existence, considering we are what other perceive us to be or what we make them think we are. Our image is highly important today because of how accessible it is but also how malleable we can make it to suit our needs. ”
Work in exhibition
PLA on panel
48 x 35 inches
SOLD