Porky (All Photos By Gail)

Here at the Worley Gig, we are especially fond of the contemporary art that embraces both the dark and the darkly humorous. Perhaps this is the reason we are really digging the latest exhibit over at Bold Hype Gallery: Bethany Marchman’s Bless Your Heart. According to Marchman’s bio, the artist aims “to create parallels between innocence and influence / history and popular culture. [Her] paintings are reflections of the awkward changes we experience as individuals and as a society, while questioning whether or not growth is synonymous with improvement.” Interesting!

Dealing largely with the anthropomorphism of animals, this new series is both playful and morbid. We just love it! Marchman’s use of traditional oils in a primarily dark color palette lends a renaissance feel to her work; one which is further enhanced by each painting’s ornate, gilt frame. So gorgeous! Each painting tells a story that the viewer can make up in his or her head. Here are some of the thoughts I was thinking while I looked at them.

Nelly Senior Year

Billy Senior Year

Are these actually High School Year Book pictures of Goats? If so, what kind world do those Goats inhabit? I want to know.

Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox

Are these the skulls of animal characters that populate literary legend? Do they adorn the walls of a museum in a parallel universe? I want to go there.

Sweet Bunny and Honey Bunny

Are these bunny rabbits in Victorian collars honored pets or regal children immortalized on canvas?

Wayward Girl Scout

Does this distracted young scout realize that the Yeti is fast encroaching on her? Scary!

Anterior

Interior

Posterior

How can I get away with not paying my rent so that I can afford to buy the three paintings above?

Bethany’s paintings recall elements of the works of some of our favorite artists including Travis Louie, Ken Kearns and Mark Ryden. If the images in this post resonate with you, or if you dig any of the aforementioned artists, you should not miss this show.

Bethany Marchman’s Bless Your Heart will be on Exhibit Through October 6, 2012 at Bold Hype Gallery, Located at 547 W 27th St, 5th floor, New York, NY 10001. Gallery Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 12 Noon – 5:00 PM