Archive for the ‘Essential Artists’ Category

Essential Artists: Jonathan Allen

"Away We Go", paint, paper on paper, 22 x 30 in

Welcome to “Essential Artists”: a celebration of the arts, and a rare chance for one artist to assume the role of fan.

I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Jonathan Allen at an event held at New York’s Whitney Museum this past year. It was only later, after a volley of social encounters that I was to become familiar with his artwork. What I found was an explosion of color and subject matter that often re-imagined familiar tropes into a kaleidoscopic spread that was at times both soothing and startling, though always aesthetically pleasing.

Within the professionally minded world of the arts it is not uncommon for the intention of a work to be prized above its aesthetic. As a matter of personal taste I find I am often unable to disassociate the two, and so it was with great pleasure I noted that Allen’s work manages a fine balance of both – a rare talent indeed. As a 2008 recipient of a Pollock-Krasner grant and graduate of the vaunted Bronx Museum’s Artist In The Marketplace program, his CV reads like a “How To” manual of how to make it in the art world.

It was then with a hint of excitement that I realized his first US solo show was set to take place at a gallery I too had had the good fortune of showcasing work with: the Lower East Side bastion of creative expression known as Lu Magnus.

If you’re in the area I can safely say that one would be remiss in not attending this stateside solo debut – it’s sure to tickle the senses – and if in the market, there will be no better time to snap up this promising young artists’ work.

Jonathan Allen: Explore Thyself
November 4th – December 18th, 2011
Lu Magnus
55 Hester St (btwn Ludlow & Essex)
New York, NY

To see more work by the artist please visit his website: www.jonathanallen.org

Essential Artists: Bodie Chewning

a sci-fi commission comes to life

Welcome to the first installment of “Essential Artists”: a new recurring feature on Clogvert. It’s a celebration of the arts, and a rare chance for one artist to assume the role of fan.

Now, I’ve found that artists for the most part do not help one another – this is not due to a pervasive and sinister sense of selfishness, but rather, the acts of creating and simply promoting yourself take so much time and energy that there’s bound to be little left in the tank to help your fellow artist. In my own small way, with this column I’d like to change that and celebrate the artists whose work I’m drawn to, no matter the medium or subject.

I stumbled upon the work of Bodie Chewning while grabbing a quick cup of java at the SoHo, New York bastion of heart palpitations known as Gimme! Coffee. Honestly, and as cavalier as it may sound, I don’t often take too great a notice of the work hung on the walls of coffee shops – but obviously, this time was different.

I’ve long been a fan of science fiction and comic books (in fact, they’re the reason I became an artist): Bodie’s work, as I’d come to learn, often speaks to both genres in style and subject.

So arresting was the quality of line and general sense of fantastic imagination that I tracked the artist down and commissioned a personal work (shown above – click image or here to enlarge).

Chewning, who is self taught, also produces t-shirt graphics, accessory illustrations and designs for both major & minor apparel companies in New York City.

To see other examples of his work and to find out more head on over to his website (www.bodiechewning.com).