Born To Run, Bred to Make, Urged To Devour (sweets)

We had ourselves another successful opening at the ol' Bakery gallery one early evening in the middle of December. We were lucky enough to get Iowa City artist (and St. Ambrose studio tech/adjunct prof) Alison Filley

The night was cool, both figuratively and literally and the gallery was hot, also figuratively and literally. It was a great and inquisitive crowd, particularly for the time of year and proximity to something the student folk call "Finals". 

                             

The exhibition showcard...it says "paparazzi" for those of you who cannot read sparkles. 

Amongst the many delicious treats that Nikki and her sons provide we get Christmas tree cookies. you know...because it is December and the conifers are still around. 

Here's a little hullabaloo from Ms. Filley's Artist Statement. It'll give you some context for the next several prints. I know, right? That's what they do... fill in the bits. 

Since the origins of Hollywood and the motion picture industry in the early twentieth century, America has been fascinated with celebrities and the culture that surrounds them. In recent years society has become obsessed with these figures as their images flood headline news, magazines, tabloids, and blogs. Particular attention is focused on young female starlets and they often serve as standards of beauty, youth, and fame. My work and my research focuses on these cultural roles and the concept of a celebrity’s façade.

The façade of the celebrity is an image created through marketing, PR, television and film that we as active participants in consumer culture are bombarded with on a daily basis. The façade is an artificial glamorized identity that is unavoidably intertwined with an individual celebrity’s personal identity. I am questioning how the façade of a celebrity functions and what happens when it is glorified, deconstructed or manipulated.

A full shot of the west wall. They're tufted pieces that are really quite extraordinary. 

Screenprint on mirror. Rolling puppy is just an added bonus. 

Half of the east wall. Mirrors with googly-eye blocks. What are YOU looking at? 

The most important bit is that sweet Natalie Portman made it into the show (bottom right) That may or may not be the opinion of the curator and may or may not reflect the exhibition as a whole. (but really, a show with NP rates a 5 star in my book) 

Did I mention that this was our second-year anniversary? Yep, that's right. We've made it past the naming phase. That means we're legitimate and people can start loving us now. Loving us with their full art heart and soul. We don't make things fancy, but we do make them, and well. 

Don't forget to stop by. 

It got soooo hip in this joint that the color desaturated itself. Why? Not cool enough. 

Something intense seems to be occurring here. That's the face of making. 

My guess is that this is a lively discussion about the Natalie Portman print. 

looking at me, looking at you, looking at them

Alison's show is up through the middle of February. Then we move on to a first, a group show. What type of group show? (you surely and eagerly ask) Why, we'll be featuring the graduate student's work from the University of Iowa Book Arts Master program. 

WHAT!

yeah. 

Stay tuned for juicier details. 

There Ain't No Opening Like A Johnson Style Opening

It was a delightful evening filled with wine (not at the gallery, but in my belly), frivolity and the type of dialog we have come to expect/desire/espouse. I mean it. The Quad Cities community really invests themselves into not only the SEEING of an exhibition, but also the, often difficult, quest for elucidation. 

What I'm trying to say is this... those of you who support us rock in a hardcore sort of way and I hope that we can continue providing you with the type of exhibition you have come to expect and that you can provide us with the level of commitment you have provided!

Enough of that funny business. How about we show you a couple of images. Just for the ol S's and G's. 

The book of the night. This appears to be THE selling point...everyone loves insects

Sarojini Johnson donated a numbered edition of this piece to an Open House Joseph organized at St. Ambrose this past winter. It was the first to sell. It was also the first to sell at this opening... and the second. People love insects. They also love her drawing. They also love her skill and technique. How could you not.

I don't know exactly what that look means, but I know it means something.  

This is either a true glance of sincerity or something else. We're going to go with the first.

Did I ever say I was a photographer? Plus those lights in the Bakery are brutal. 

What a layout! The pieces themselves are even better!!

Do I need to mention the word beauteous again because I will, and loudly.

We're printmakers and bookbinders here at the Bakery Gallery. We hope to one day be able to approach the process in a way that Sarojini does. We're not being saccharin or overly complementary, just right out honest.

We're not big on bold statements, but come on! That's a nice looking spread and only part of it. 

If you're not going to come for the art, what about the food? Nikki and Justin and Quentin make THE BEST opening night food fair in the cities. We'll say it and stick to it. Handmade, homemade, delicious, decadent and altogether awesome.

That book...we covet it. It's newly minted and smells of sweet success. Buy all of her stuff now!!!

I could easily write a post just on the shear awesomeness of that book. It was recently completed and made its debut at the Bakery Gallery. It's about invasive species. It's etched. It. Is. Amazing. 

I wish we had better pictures, but know this...we've never lied to you. Not once. Wait until she has an edition of this and then buy the daylights out of it. 

See you soon. 

Etched Deep

Let's try to not make TOO big of a deal about this, but have you ever seen Sarojini Jha Johnson's artwork before? Are you familiar with the word stupendous? Or perhaps the phrase "technically jaw-dropping? Do you like narratives or color or prints or food?

You need to be at this Opening. Really you do. I say that about all of them (because they're all pretty great) but you REALLY need to be at this one. You know what else? She's doing a free lecture earlier in the afternoon at St. Ambrose that you should attend. You won't regret it. 

Here's the info: 

Who:             Sarojini Jha Johnson

What:           Prints and Books: An exhibition of etchings and books by the Indiana artist.

When and Where:         a) The Opening is Friday, October 28^th  6:00 pm until 8 pm at the Bakery   Gallery conveniently located at 1330 E. 12^th street Davenport, Ia 52803. The show runs from the 28th until December 3rd. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Sarojini will also be doing a (what will surely be EXTRAORDINARY)  free and open to the public lecture earlier in the day from 4:00 until 5:00 at St. Ambrose University’s Galvin Fine Art Center (Rm. 141) 

(Fox and Datura) 

A brief statement from the artist: 

My family came to the United States from India many years ago. My prints reflect my preoccupation with the knowledge of India as I experienced it through my journeys there and through stories told by my parents. Certain objects and images are persistent in my mind and emblematic or evocative of many things, from mundane to sublime. Some of these objects are plants such as datura and images of my favorite deities such as Ganesha and Lakshmi. Uprooted people often experience a longing for things that remind the of their former home. This sort of nostalgia or yearning for familiar things, especially food, has been a part of my family’s experience for as long as I can remember. My octogenarian father grows exotic vegetables with names I do not even know in English. This amuses and amazes me. I believe that the dialog about culture and nationality is vital and that the visual arts are an important forum for communication of the subtleties and variations of individual viewpoints.

Threatened and Endangered Creature Charms

The Biography:

Sarojini Jha Johnson has taught printmaking and foundations at Ball State University since 1985. She grew up in Ohio and earned undergraduate degrees in French and drawing from the University of Cincinnati. She received an MFA in printmaking from Miami University where she began working with animal and plant forms in her prints. Her work places natural forms in a fictional context. An essential theme expressed is the human desire to make time stand still in order to experience a particular moment in time. Her main medium is color intaglio printmaking, a medium that allows for great creativity and invention in terms of surface and color. Recently, she has been exploring memories and impressions of India, her country of origin. Animal images such as fish and birds still emerge in this work. 

As a side note Sarojini teaches at the school where two of us received our BFA's and was highly influential (even though I never took one of her classes) at the time. The work ethic, production and quality of the printmakers at Ball State was something to behold (and I think it still is) This is in largely due to Sarojini and her partner-in-crime David (who faithful attendees will remember from the June 2010 Bakery exhibition...see the archives) 

We're very proud to have her show at the gallery. We hope you will be too. 

RAR Rarrrrsssss... a success occurs.

 So there you have it. A great late summer opening for what we feel here is a great venue. Rebecca wowed the crowd with charm and info (and her earlier lecture) The pictures don't really do it justice (we are all aware that Mr. Lappie and a camera = mediocrity) but this was a GREAT opening for a, truthfully, great exhibition.

Let's see some pics...

The east wall is full of postcards. An ingenious way of hanging really. (not our idea)  

Like Sodom and Gomorrah one must NOT look upon the awesomeness of the west wall

Ben doing what he does and very well. People LOVE the spins

a cat's eye view. Still looks pretty good from here

Ahh.... commiseration. Such a lovely activity

Thanks to all who came out for the talk and for the opening. We, as always and forever, appreciate your support for the arts and for delicious baked goods. Until the next time (which is two weeks away : 0 ) 

Roar of the Rar Rar

This seems like an appropriate image to start of the next post about our upcoming artist - Ms. Rebecca Ann Rakstad (Reba Rar Rar for you trendy gals and guys)!

Rebecca likes wood type. Likes it a lot. She tends to make amazing/beautiful/funny/poignant etc... etc... with this wood and type. Oh yes and ink too. Let's not forget that. (I digress) Anyway, Rebecca is going to be having a solo show at the ol' Bakery here in the very near future. It'll run from Friday, August 26th until Saturday, October 22nd


Let's look at a piece...

Type is letterpress, image is 4-color offset (I think) If I am wrong I stand corrected. 

Now it's time for that bit about the who's and the what's and the where's (oh boy do I ever love this part)


Who is the who:

Chicago artist Rebecca Ann Rakstad

What is the what: 

"Rar Rar Press" a collection of letterpress posters and print work

Where is the where:

The Bakery Gallery is conveniently located at 1330 E. 12th street, Davenport Iowa 52803. Copious amounts of delicious food will be served.

When is the when: 

We're doing an earlier Opening this month - 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on August 26th. The exhibition will run from August 26th until October 22nd. The Bakery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm. Buy a brownie or better yet... some pizza.

This woman does NOT kid around. 

We here at the Gallery are particularly proud that Rebecca has agreed to do a FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC presentation on her work the afternoon before the Opening. WHAT!!! That's right, she's driving on over from Chicago and will be here to speak to you, yes you! (The plural you) 

Details, give us details!

When: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Friday, August 26th

Where: St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Art Center Rm. 141

How: Through the power of speech, bending light and internet delivering tubes

Why: Because she is interesting and we want to give you an opportunity to hear her speak. 

A frequent statement in many of our lives. 

Artist’s Statement:

 Rebecca Ann Rakstad (aka Reba Rar Rar) took her first letterpress class in 2004 and Rar Rar Press was born shortly thereafter. Rar Rar uses handset wood and metal type with a Vandercook press to make postcards, posters, notebooks and more, drawing equal inspiration from pop culture and irony as from the craft and history of hand-lettered prints. Rakstad received her BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago and her MFA from Columbia College Chicago, while using her DIY skills for the Midwest punk scene, booking shows between making zines and record covers. Her zines transformed into artist books, then when free copies became scarce, Rakstad took to letterpress to fully expand control over the printmaking process. The works of Rar Rar Press have appeared in indie craft fairs all over the country, including: Renegade, Bust Craftacular, Crafty Bastards, and Art vs. Craft. Rakstad is a member of the Chicago Printers Guild and in 2011, Rar Rar moved into a new location in Pilsen that will soon host workshops and events, so everyone can learn how to be a little more DIY.

For those of you who don't know how this whole shindig work here is an example:

up above we the type.

down below we see the print.

oh it's so true. 

Finally I encourage you to check out Rebecca's etsy page (http://www.etsy.com/shop/rarrarpress) where many of her posters and postcards are for sale at any hour of the day. You can always buy from us too...there will be plenty to choose from and Rebecca is bringing lots and lots and lots.

As always 100% of the money that comes from selling work at the Bakery is given to the artist. We do not take a commission. We just love showing you new stuff. (If you ever feel like donating...well that's a different story) So what I'm saying is support our artists and buy some visual culture!

See you there.

Adam Little Brings A Brigade!

We had an Opening. You may have missed it, but maybe you didn't. Either way it does not dismiss the sheer AWESOMENESS of one Adam Little (who is a local Quad-Citian mind you) I'm not saying that you missed out on the show of the year... but really, if you haven't seen it, well then, you know.

"No I haven't" you may say from this modest image, but look closer and closer still. 

LOOK AT THAT FOOD SPREAD!!! COME ON!!

In the heat of June we start to get a crowd that will make this such a pleasant evening. 

SOLD! (and maybe a lighting discrepancy. You'll have to decide for yourself) 

"I bought that!" The proud face of a newly (and multiple) buyer. Don't you want to have the look of satisfaction upon your face? Don't you? Are you human...

Les and Owen (two essential stalwarts) prepare for a battle. 

Starting to get crowded, busy and oh so sweaty. (The sure sign of a successful event.)

 It got hot. Really hot. That didn't stop people from coming. They just vacillated between indoors and outdoors. As a side note look at the determined stance of one Adam Little (center) 

Adam is showing until August 20th. You should probably get over there before it's too late and see some work and OH YEAH buy some of it too. It's good for your local environment. Trust me, it's the truth. 

Cloud Eaters in the Sky

Coming in one weeks time. 

Adam Little - The artist man

Cloud Eaters - the title of the show-li-oh

6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday June 17th - The time to do your looky-loo. 

The show will hang in the gallery from June 17th until August 19th.

                               

                               "Men had made those masks and other objects for a sacred purpose, a magic purpose, as a kind of mediation between themselves and the unknown hostile forces that surrounded them, in order to overcome their fear and horror by giving it a form and an image. At that moment I realized that this was what painting was all about. Painting isn’t an aesthetic operation; it’s a form of magic designed as a mediator between this strange, hostile world and us, a way of seizing the power by giving form to our terrors as well as our desires. When I came to that realization, I knew I had found my way."

   

                                Pablo Picasso

"On a fundamental level my work is an exploration of the nature of parenthood, the parent-child dynamic, and the ways in which I relate to human beings though examples gained from interactions with my parents.  The work uses images and fragments of images that have been drawn from a reinterpretation of various origin mythologies.  Through the invention of an origin mythology I am able to create characters and tell personal stories with universal applications.  In this regard, I’m using the images to tell stories about my parents and children.  Those relationships, the one with our parents and the one with our children, are the most important factors in determining the way that we see our individual space, and the way that we chose to impact the larger world.

My work uses a reappropriation and reimaging of popular religious narrative and mythology to address issues of personal importance.  The work moves in and out of issues other than parenting like; nature, environment, politics, and sex.  The work draws heavily on an illustrative style that borrows vocabulary and technique from Byzantine art, Inuit art, comic books, children’s books, religious icon painting, and science fiction. "  

Be there...eat some food, sweat a little bit, maybe buy a piece...who knows.