Todd James, Vanity Nemesis 2011, gouache and graphite on paper, 30″ x 22.5″
November 25, 2011 – January 22, 2012
COOPER COLE GALLERY
The opening of Cooper Cole Gallery’s new exhibition, Brothers of the Weird, also marks the relaunch of the former Show & Tell Gallery under a new name. Brothers is a group show featuring the work of five artists—Todd James, Devin Flynn, Ian Flynn, Billy Grant, and Joe Grillo. Though most of these artists have never shown work together before, their vivid and uproarious visual language makes the grouping feel like a conversation among friends, which it is in a way—two of the artists are brothers, while Grant and Grillo are both members of the New York–based Dearraindrop Collective.
The work is sharply psychedelic, graphic, and lushly-coloured. Todd James’ “Chloe” paintings are the stars of the show—with their still life-inspired composition, exuberant palette, and blonde bombshell in the foreground. James’ work takes cues from art history heavyweights like Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline, yet also shows signs of influence from his fellow Americans Philip Guston and Roy Lichtenstein.
Dearraindrop members Grant and Grillo’s work also satisfies a need for colour and bounce. The group’s graphic design background is evident in the paintings which feel like Saturday morning cartoons reimagined by graffiti artists. The Flynn’s work is quieter by comparison. You can still hear the message—you just have to listen more closely.
Daniel St. Germaine