Gallery View with Red Scary Guy Sculpture (All Photos By Gail)

You know it’s going to be a good opening reception when a gallery’s press email announces that there will be a Donut Cart onsite. Sadly, we were not swift and ruthless enough to procure a delicious fried confection (provided by the Donut Plant). But it hardly mattered, because Kolors, the latest Kenny Scharf art collection tucked inside the Paul Kasmin Gallery was, oh, so satisfyingly sweet.


Kenny Scharf’s Totemotiki Sculpture

If you know Scharf’s work mostly from his many colorful murals dotting the streets of New York City, you’ll definitely recognize the characters depicted in three larger than life, candy-colored sculptures strategically placed around the gallery.

Squirtz, a Two-Sided Sculpted Head sits on a rotating platform.

These sculptures are bordered by walls adorned with single color-themed (though not exactly monochromatic) paintings of Scharf’s signature amorphous shapes, albeit without the customary accompanying facial characteristics. Scharf’s new Kolors collection makes for one of the most successful transitions of an artist’s work from the street to the gallery that I’ve ever seen.

The bright colors and fun shapes of Kenny Scharf’s art make Kolors a very family friendly exhibit. Small kids will probably go a little crazy around the sculptures, though, so be aware that touching of the art is strictly not allowed.

In a separate rear room of the Kasmin Gallery, a single oversize painting allows Scharf’s two worlds to collide in an amalgam of the amorphous shapes with faces, done in the style of the Kolor canvases in the series. Congratulations, Kenny, on a truly spectacular exhibit!

Kenny Scharf’s Kolors will be on Exhibit through May 4, 2013 at Paul Kasmin Gallery, Located at 515 West 27th Street in the Chelsea Gallery District.