E PLURIBUS VENOM. NEW WORKS BY SHEPARD FAIREY
By Weston Deboer
JONATHAN LEVINE GALLERY
E PLURIBUS VENOM
NEW WORKS BY SHEPARD FAIREY
Main Gallery Opening Reception
Saturday, June 23rd from 5-9 pm
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, ALL AGES
Exhibition is on view from June 23rd to July 21st
Jonathan LeVine Gallery
529 West 20th Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 243 3822
www.jonathanlevinegallery.com
Dumbo Installation Space Reception presented by SWINDLE
Thursday, June 21st from 7-11pm
Installation Space is on view until July 6th
81 Front Street (at the corner of Washington St)
Dumbo (Brooklyn), NY 11201
Music provided by COSMO BAKER, 10 FINGERS, ROAM, SHEPARD FAIREY and more…
Drinks Provided by DEWARS
RSVP REQUIRED, 21+ and over, for more info please visit
http://www.jonathanlevinegallery.com/shepardfairey/
The title “E Pluribus Venom” which translates “Out of many, poison” is derived from “E Pluribus Unum” (out of many, one) an early motto adopted by the U.S. Government which appears on U.S. coins and dollar bills. In the opinion of artist Shepard Fairey, many becoming one, or a loss of power and influence of the individual in favor of homogeny is a symptom of a society in decline. “E Pluribus Venom” could be interpreted as saying both that there is poison in the American system, and that many individuals are motivated by venom and anger toward this system. “E Pluribus Venom” is comprised of artworks designed to question the symbols and methods of the American machine and American dream and also celebrate those who oppose blind nationalism and war. Some of Fairey”s works use currency motifs or a Norman Rockwell aesthetic to employ the graphic language of the subjects they critique. Other works use a blend of Art Nouveau, hippie, and revolutionary propaganda styles to celebrate subjects advocating peace. The art addresses monolithic institutional power and authority and the role of counter culture and independent individuals to question the dominant paradigm. Shepard Fairey”s new body of work contains politically-charged paint, screen print, stencil, and collage mixed media pieces which use metaphor, humor, and seductive decorative elements to deliver provocative but beautiful results. These works blur the perceived barriers between propaganda and escapist decoration, political responsibility and humor with the intent of stimulating both viscerally and intellectually.