I had so much fun at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Soapbox Derby event at McLaren Park in San Francisco on Sunday, 4/10. Many (57) amazing derby cars made by local Bay Area artists competed for trophies made by local artists. Thanks to my awesome pit crew Mary Kalin-Casey, John C. Rogers, Stephanie Silk, Brett Durrett, and Tangee Boyce! And of course all the awesome SFMOMA folks and volunteers who made it all come together. Thanks to my friends who came out to show support as well. I was so surprised and happy to get the Fastest Car trophy made by the legendary Wanxin Zhang!!
Svane Family Foundation
“Safety Cage”, 2021, mixed media, 35″ x 11.5″ x 11.5″
SEPTEMBER 16 – 30, 2021 San Francisco Art Institute, Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Boulevard
Excited to be part of the @svanefoudnation Ark exhibition and benefit auction, opening September 16th! Commissioned at the height of the pandemic, the 100 works included represent the diversity and brilliance of Bay Area artists, reflect on this historic era, and share visions of what to carry into the future. All auction proceeds go back into the local arts community via @artspansf.
Art makes the Bay Area the vibrant, creative, and innovative place we love to call home. Don’t miss this exhibition, spread the word, and plan your bids today—register to receive the auction preview at svaneff.org.
The foundation committee asked grant artists to use the theme of the Ark as a way of navigating through difficult times (pandemic, social unrest, political chaos, etc.) and create a work of art to reflect that idea. My work is “Safety Cage,” a mixed media piece that conveys the following:
“’Safety Cage’ is a kind of pandemic self-portrait. I envisioned humanity traversing the dark land in dark times, each individual isolated in their own safety cage. This cage is personal ark, mobile but contained. And contained inside is human hope, in the form of an awkward and fragile golden flower, waiting to be released once the dark times have passed, to grow and thrive again. Through this isolation comes self discovery, contemplation, and the desire to be delivered and to emerge stronger and more golden.”
Ark Exhibitions artists include Aaron De La Cruz, Adam 5100, Adreinne Waheed, Adrian Burrell, Alicia McCarthy, Amy Palms, Amy X Neuburg, Andy Vogt, Angela Hennessy, Anna Valdez, Antonio Vidal, Asma Kazmi, Barry McGee, Brett Amory, Brian Singer, Butterfly Williams, Camila Magrane, Casey Gray, Cate White, Chad Hasegawa, Chanell Stone, Chelsea Wong, Chris Duncan, Chris Johanson, Christopher Martin, Cliff Hengst, Courtney Desiree Morris, Dana Dart-McLean, Dana King, Davina Semo, Dionne Lee, Dohee Lee, Donna Personna, Eli Thorne, Ellen Bruno, Emilio Villalba, Eric Johnston, Erica Deeman, Esther Elia, GATS, Gina M. Contreras, HP Mendoza, J. John Priola, J.L. King, Jake Ricker, Jeffrey Cheung, Jeremy Fish, Jessica Hess, John Casey, Justin Hoover, Katie Gong, Kelly Tunstall , Ferris Plock , Kevin Earl Taylor, Kindah Khalidy, Klea McKenna, Kristin Farr, Kristine Mays, Lady Henze, Lauren Elder, Linda Connor, Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Madeleine Tonzi, Marcus Shelby, Maria Guzmán Capron, Mark Garrett, Mary Joy, Mary D. Watkins, Melanie DeMore, Meryl Pataky, Michelle Pred, Monica Denevan , Muzae, Nina Wise, Oliver DiCicco, Paul Madonna Studio, Peter Cordova, Rabbit Garcia, Rachel Lena Esterline, Robert Bowen, Ruby Neri, Sam Vernon, Sarah Hotchkiss, Seth Eisen, Sheila Ghidini, Steve Ferrera, Sydney Cain, tamara suarez porras, Tammy Rae Carland, Tan Sirinumas, Terri Loewenthal, Terry Furry, Tess Davis, Tosha Stimage, Trevor Ewald, t.w.five, Kyle Lypka and Tyler Cross, Val Britton, Yarrow Slaps, Yétundé Olagbaju, and Zac Scheinbaum.
Posies: a Pocketful @ Gearbox Gallery
Two sculptures I have in this show
Aug 26 – Oct 2, 2021 Opening Reception on Saturday, August 28th, from 1-3pm
Curated By Ruth Santee
Throughout history, flowers have commanded human attention. Our relationship with flowers is special. In many ways it is symbiotic. Most flowers are cultivated and require human care, wild flowers being the exception. In return, flowers provide us with a rich cultural, and sensory experience. There are countless cultural and scientific references to flowers throughout history. Humans have designated the flower as a symbol of birth, death, love and honor. We adorn our bodies, our homes, our churches and our graveyards with them. We pick them, plant them, buy them, pollenate with them, draw them, sculpt them, dry them, eat them, preserve them and heal with them. For most people flowers carry enormous symbolism, provide soothing sympathy and are an integral part of many of cultural ceremonies. Flowers heighten our awareness. By using all of our senses, our continued relationship with flowers connects us to each other and the environment.
This exhibit promises more than mere reverence for the “flower”. Posies: A Pocketful explores the unique interpretations 11 established artists have with this subject matter. Posies in this exhibit include: Bronze, steel Ikebana, abstracted zip tie flowers, ceramic blossoms, dancing paper mache flowers, illuminated neon flora, floral assemblage of found objects, paper flowers, and flowers on paper.
The exhibiting artists are: David Kimball Anderson Jerry Barrish Lynn Beldner John Casey Cheryl Coons Roger Daniells Vicki Gunter Carrie Lederer Ruth Santee Tiffanie Turner Franca Van Allen
Gearbox Gallery 770 West Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94612 510-271-0822 info@gearboxgallery.com
The Art of Art @ Modern Eden
Curated by Michael Cuffe of Warholian
August 14–September 1, 2021
Modern Eden is pleased to present the latest group exhibition curated by Michael Cuffe of Warholian. The Art of Art focuses on works that explore the tools and imagery of the visual arts. From paintbrushes to color wheels, this immersive show celebrates the artist in the studio and the world of the painter, the sculptor, and beyond. The Art of Art turns the mirror on the artist, exploring the very foundations of what has made the visual medium succeed for centuries. This exhibition features over 100 artists celebrating the rebirth of the arts in San Francisco.
Featuring works by: Adam Caldwell, Adam Ziskie, aica, Alec Huxley, Allison Reimold, Amandalynn, Andrea Guzzetta, Arik Ehle, Aunia Kahn, CHIACHEN, Caia Koopman, Carly Janine Mazur, Catherine Moore, Charles Keiger, Cody Seekins, Cucueco, Daniel Chen, Daniel Valadez, Daryll Peirce, David Natale, D Young V, Diana Ormanzhi, Emily Fromm, Fafi Birtak, Felicia Ann, Gigi Chen, Gina Altadonna, Glenn Arthur, Grace Wang, Happy D, Helice Wen, Holly Matthews, Howard Lyon, Isabel Samaras, Jaclyn Alderete, Jana Brike, Jane Lee, Jessica Sillus, Jessica So Ren Tang, Jodie Herrera, John Casey, John Osgood, John Walker, Joseph Lorusso, Josh Thurman, Joshua Coffy, Joshua Lawyer, Julie Filipenko, Juliet Schreckinger, Kelly McKernan, Kelsey Bowen, Kierstin Young, Kim Leutwyler, Kremena Chipilova, Lacey Bryant, Lana Kohn, Lara Dann, Laura Colors, Lauren Saxton, Leilani Bustamante, MJ Lindo-Lawyer, Mandy Tsung, Mara Bubblegum, Marcos Lafarga, Margaret Morales, Maria Carmela, Marie-Eve Proteau, Mark Bryan, Maryam Gohar, Michael Camarra, Olympia Altimir, PX Miranda, Ransom & Mitchell, Raul D’Mauries, Raúl Guerra, Regina Sattarova, Richard Ahnert, Ricky Watts, Robin Galante, Sarah McCloskey, Skye Becker, Sofia Venegas, Spencer Keeton Cunningham, Stacy Ransom, Steve Hughes, Steve Javiel, Steven Kenny, Sybiline, Sylvia Ji, Terry Ribera, Thomas Ascott, Tosin Kalejaye, The Obanoth, The Tracy Piper, V R Rivera, Valeriya Volkova, Xhanthi, Yamakawa, Young Ji Cha, Zarina Situmorang, Zelyss, and more.
Morgan Laurens interviewed me for the website Not Real Art. Lots of good questions!
Oakland-based artist John Casey began life on the unluckiest day of the year, in an unlucky place. Born on Friday 13 in Salem, Massachusetts, the multidisciplinary artist now gleefully channels his unusual origins into awkward portraits of peculiar creatures. Growing up, Casey spent his time building monster models and watching horror films. His early drawings reveal a preoccupation with the physical aberrations commonly found in offbeat midnight movies. “The figures in [my] drawings show not only the distorted perceptions of a child, but my fascination with skulls, teeth, spirographic eyes, and invented body parts,” Casey writes in his bio. In today’s Q+Art interview, John Casey discusses the uncomfortable narratives of Phillip Guston, the role of dystopian fiction in a post-pandemic world, and the false lure of artistic exposure. Read his interview here.
