Lee Waisler: Portraits and Abstractions
11 September to 11 October
Sundaram Tagore Gallery

Sundaram Tagore's first solo show in its new gallery in Hong Kong features the eminent American artist Lee Waisler whose works are in permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Lee Waisler presents two series of works: portraits of iconic figures and abstracts, both in a trademark style in which he loads the canvas with layers of paints and organic materials to create thick sweeps of pigment separated by knife-sharp ridges. His portrait series includes the stylized over-bold faces of, amongst others, Marilyn Monroe, Mahatma Gandhi, Kafka and Albert Einstein. Their textured planes draw our hands to hover over the surface, curious, wanting to touch but not quite daring: a potent echo of the real life lure of iconic idols and our visceral compulsion to draw near, look closely and touch. For this show Waisler has created an interesting new body of work incorporating Chinese culture and imagery including a portrait of Anna May Wong, a famous Chinese-American actress of the 1930s and 1940s and Doctor Ho, a renowned healer from China.

Larry Yung: Desire - Loss

Amelia Johnson Contemporary
4 September to 27 September 2008

In the works of this much anticipated show two years in the making, Chinese American artist Larry Yung places idealized images of American and Chinese people alongside material objects of desire and cultural icons such as Mickey Mouse. Smiling characters are painted with a flatness reminiscent of the iconography of Chinese propaganda posters and 1950's US advertisements of the American Dream. This juxtaposition invites us to examine the complex relationship between the demise of the American Dream and the rise of Chinese aspirations. His stiff stylized figures appear artificial and remind us material prosperity is impermanent and illusory: part of a fleeting cycle of lack, desire, success and loss. His work has been commissioned by Proctor & Gamble, Pierre Cardin and Nordstroms and is held in various private collections including those of Marvel Comics, Esquire Magazine and Microsoft.

Niubi Newbie Kids
Mixed media group exhibition: Chen Fei, Chen Ke, Zhou Jin Hua, Zhang Ye Xing, Zhou Yi Qian, Feng Wei
19 September to 13 October 2008
Schoeni Gallery

Schoeni was pivotal in the nineties in promoting the art of then unknown Chinese political pop artists such as Yue Min Jun, Zeng Fan Zhi and Zhang Xiaogang, many of whom have since gone on to achieve iconic status and high auction prices. This September the gallery is showing the next generation of 80s born unknowns, the rebellious Niubi Kids. Untranslatable and a play on Chinese slang curse words, the word 'Niubi' is used by young people to identify the new wave of rebellious cool young Chinese. Also termed China's 'Me' generation, a product of China's One Child policy, they are less concerned with politics than with themselves, issues of identity and alternative worlds. This provoking not-to-be missed show of mixed media works, replete with influences from the internet, comics, video games and Japanese culture, is the result of two years work by the gallery and is the first in a biannual series.

TIBETAN ART TRENDS

In 2003, thirteen Tibetans and two Chinese living inside Tibet formed the Gendun Choephel Artists Guild, an organization of artists that hosted monthly rotating exhibits. They dismissed the general perception among Chinese of Tibetans as simply “ethnic,” and they fiercely defended their right to express their own identity.

It is a relatively recent situation for Tibetans to remove art from its iconographical, religious origins of thangkas and scrolls and recontextualize it within the modern dialectic. The most striking example of this process can be found in the work of Gonkar Gyatso, an artist who uses ideological identity portraiture and sophisticated graphics to discuss the modernist dilemma facing contemporary Tibetans. Gyatso has resided within Tibet, China, India and London, and he reflects on his diverse identity within these different locales.

In My Identity 1-4, Gyatso represents himself alternately as a Tibetan native painting a traditional thangka; a Communist Chinese painting a portrait of Mao; a refugee painting a picture of The Dalai Lama; and finally, an international urban sophisticate painting a picture of the cosmos. Who, however, is the real Gonkar?
What is his actual tradition? Where does the truth lie?

Gande is another artist with a deep appreciation of traditional forms. He imbues them with a secondary, critical meaning.

The theme of taking important religious symbols and substituting capitalist ideology is highlighted in his hilarious New Scripture Series piece, Mickey Thangka, which features the tig-say faces of the Buddha and Mickey Mouse.

Then, there is the provocative work of Nortse. Using both painting and photography, he depicts images of individuals who are rendered mute by their covered faces.

The artist Kesang works with the notion of the bardo, the realm one enters after death and before rebirth.

Pewang takes as his subject matter the five mental afflictions of traditional Buddhist thought: desire, aggression, greed, jealousy, and pride. He paints them as celestial deities incorporating traditional flowers, clouds, hand gestures, shading of the body and flora backgrounds.

Contemporary Tibetan artists defy expectations. Many Western Buddhist practitioners would like to see them still produce strictly phonographic, spiritual art. The ecumenical modern art world looks at them as a fourth world minority playing catch up with the post modern predicament and a subset of the white hot Chinese art world. Tibetans themselves are split on the issue. They understand artists must address the rapid social, psychological and economic changes they are confronting as a people but are equally concerned they will lose their traditions in the overwhelming cultural tsunami of rapid globalization. What is certain is that the Gendun Choephal School is sure to address the current and future changes roiling Tibet.

Source: Realitysandwich

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First up is a blog by some dude who will draw anything, literally, for two bucks. His site is appropriately called Will Draw Anything. The guy's a comic book artist and his stuff look pretty cool. Already the wheels are turning in my head, thinking up some real twisted shit to have this guy doodle up for me. He does say he'll dray anything. So....

And second is a GenX blogger who is on a quest to link up with 50 other bloggers around the country. Her blog is called JenX67. Her criteria is as follows: one blogger per state and their blog's have to Generation X oriented. Currently, I am under consideratoin for her Michigan blogger. However, I suspect that I'll probably lose out in the end. I wouldn't be a GenXer if I was any more optimistic than that. Besides, I know of at least one Michigan-based GenX blogger who would probably be better then me. And that would be GenerationXpert, already on my blog roll. GenerationXpert is much wittier and insightful, whereas I tend to slip into bitter ranting to often. But still, you never know. Even if I don't end up being the chosen one, I'll be frequenting this site pretty regularly.

Jack writes:

What I suspect strongly is this: The New Yorker staff is probably kinda like most of the people in my social circle in Ann Arbor. Nobody knows anybody who isn't for Obama (although there are rumors that this one guy's uncle is a Republican).

They thought the cover was clever satire, when in fact it almost certainly will be used by the slick haters who want to tap into our deep fears that maybe the first black nominee just can't be trusted after all.

That may be so, but I hardly think it is a reason to not publish such a cover, not that Jack seems to be suggesting that. I do agreed with his suggestion for a sort of title for the cover, however:

What the New Yorker should have done was put a little scroll at the top, saying "The Politics of the Paranoid," or words to that effect. Instead, they managed to leave a wrong impression and create an unnecessary fuss, which could easily have been avoided had editor David Remnick spent a few hours talking to white voters at some place like K-9 pet supply in Warren.

The last bit of this quote, about K-9 pet supply in Warren, may confuse some. Not me. I grew up in Warren and I get it.

Before reading this column I hadn't realized that some other cartoonist had satirized the Obama New Yoker cover:

And I agree with Jack that it is better satire:

The cover was, however, brilliantly satirized by David Horsey, the cartoonist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. His version was a National Review cover with a drooling John McCain in a wheelchair, mumbling "bomb-bomb-bomb, bomb-bomb Iran." His wife Cindy, wearing a glazed-over expression, is showering him with pills. "Here, John, take some of my meds to get you through the inaugural parade!" In this version, Dick Cheney's portrait is over the mantel and the Constitution is burning in the fireplace.

"Know what the difference is?" an editor said to me. "This one is actually funny," because it is easier to imagine it as being true.

Maybe The New Yorker cover was a blunder. But I am hanging onto my copy. If nothing else, it could be worth some cash some day. And, being an American, that's really what's it's all about anyway.

The influence of manga, anime, video games and cartoons on contemporary art is one of the most prominent current trends.

The exhibition "Krazy" brings the worlds of anime, comics, cartoons, video games, manga, graphic novels and contemporary art together in one exhibition.

The exhibition is co-curated by some of the art forms' most influential artists and cultural producers, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Art Spiegelman, The Sims video game creator Will Wright, comic artist Seth and DreamWorks animated feature film director Tim Johnson. Conceived and developed by Vancouver Art Gallery senior curator Bruce Grenville, the exhibition will travel to a New York City arts institution in March 2009.

One of the largest exhibitions ever organized by the Gallery, "Krazy!" will occupy two floors of gallery space and is designed in collaboration with Tokyo-based architectural firm Atelier Bow-Wow-a design team renowned for their understanding of informal culture and ability to enhance communal visual experiences.

Divided into seven sections defined by medium, the exhibition takes viewers through ever-changing gallery environments, including a mini-theatre for viewing animated cartoons and anime, immersive video spaces and innovative reading environments for visitors to experience a deluge of manga, graphic novels and comics.

The exhibition comprises more than 600 artworks, including original sketches, concept drawings, sketchbooks, storyboards, production drawings, films, video games, animation cels, three dimensional models, sculptures, books, manga and much more.

Other participating artists: Lynda Barry, Marcel Broodthaers, Chester Brown, Milt Gross, Pierre Huyghe, Tim Johnson, Harvey Kurtzman, John Lasseter, Roy Lichtenstein, Christian Marclay, Winsor McCay, Sid Meier, Claes Oldenburg, Nick Park, Raymond Pettibon, Seth, Chris Ware

Asian participants include Iwatani TORU, Mamoru OSHII, Mamoru NAGANO, Shigeru MIYAMOTO, Yoko KANNO, Ichiro ITANO,  Moyoco ANNO.

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Oh, did I mention he also does some super Erotic sculptures? See if you can find the penis in the second painting and some other sexual motifs.

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＜Use software＞
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＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s Free material　"Illustration, web material, wallpaper, and coloring paper"
「Download site of "Free material"」
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s Free material　"Illustration, web material, wallpaper, and coloring paper"
「Download site of "Free material"」
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」

A large screen opens when "Thumbnail image" is clicked.

＜Use software＞
Photoshop ・ Paintshop
＜Production environment＞
Mac OS

Copyright（C）T-KONI . All Rights Reserved.

------------------------------------

＜Free material＞ It is possible to use it free of charge.
T-KONI`s"Paper book jacket design"
It is possible to use it free of charge.
「Download site of "Paper book jacket"」
「How to make "Paper book jacket"」