People say to me all the time, “Gail, where do you find the amazing Pink Things you put on your blog?” And I say to them: “I find the everywhere!” This pair of Taxidermy White Rats driving a Hot Pink Sports Car (yes, I just typed that) was spotted in the gift shop at the Morbid Anatomy Museum in Brooklyn. I did not ask if it was actually for sale.
It is obvious that they are about to drive off the edge of a “cliff,” all Thelma and Louise-style.
My vote for the first Must See Show of NYC’s Fall Art Season is iconic stencil artist Blek Le Rat’sIgnorance is Bliss at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. While Saturday’s opening reception was comparatively sparsely attended, this made for a great viewing experience, perfect photo snapping conditions and a chance to talk to the artist himself, who was on hand to sign cards, pose for photos and, in general, be an all around nice, cool guy. Blek Le Rat!
Rope Pulling
Ignorance is Bliss is Le Rat’s largest body of work to date and his second solo exhibit at the Gallery.
David with Kalashnikov
The exhibit features a series of works on canvas as well as one bronze, marking the first time the artist has worked in sculpture. The gilded bronze piece depicts Michaelangelo’s David holding a rifle, and is based on a stencil that Blek le Rat has stenciled on the streets of cities all over the world. The sculpture also features a small rat by David’s feet (sadly, the rat is slighting obscured by David’s leg in the photo above). This iconic rat is found throughout the artist’s work, and, coincidentally, is also found repeatedly in the work of Banksy, for whom Le Rat is a direct and prominent influence.
Avida Dollars (Salvador Dali Portrait)
Spray Can
Ignorance is Bliss fills all rooms of the Gallery — rare for the LeVine space, which can co-exhibit work by up to three featured artists at one time. Sibyl and Power of Ignorance
The Big Race
Vicious
It’s always fun to see someone re-interpret this popular shot of the late Sid Vicious by photographer Dennis Morris.
Blek Le Rat is a legend and his work has influenced everyone, so do come out and see this show while you can!
Blek Le Rat’s Ignorance is Bliss will be on Exhibit Through October 5th, 2013 at Jonathan LeVine Gallery, Located at 529 West 20th Street, 9th Floor in the Chelsea Gallery District.
