Tag Archives: 70s

Up Coming Exhibition: BOOKWORM by Molly Egan

Bookworm-Egan

BOOKWORM

Molly Egan Solo Exhibition

May 6, 2017 ~ May 31, 2017

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 6  6-8PM

We are proud to announce our new exhibition “BOOKWORM”, book art by Molly Egan opening on Saturday, May 6th.

Molly Egan is a Philadelphia based painter and illustrator who is known for her pop and colorful drawings and paintings on book pages. Flatness in art is now extremely trendy and somewhat still futuristic expression form in the contemporary art scene, but with the similar flatness, Egan’s work has rather 70s and 80s feeling to it.

Egan’s use of bright colors and large, fun shapes might be what first catches your eye about her work, but it’s her attention to detail and uniqueness of character that really makes them pop. She works in, and even sometimes mixes between, many different mediums, from paint and print, to collage and even pottery and sculpture. Many of the works in Egan’s portfolio are pages from her sketchbook; painted entirely from one corner to the other. However, the sketchbooks Egan uses are not always the accustomed plain paper sketchbooks, but actual regular book-books–with the words still printed on them–as well, which adds an extra texture and collage effect to these pieces. How rare! Egan’s works are an absolute delight. A fruity, tchotchke laden world that we would love to be a part of.

While it is difficult to display an entire collection of her work as they are on book pages, it is our challenge on printing pages out as various sized fine giclee prints, and display so our visitors can see the multiple pieces at one sight. The prints are displayed along with the original book which you can flip through.

Please join at the opening reception and meet her bookworms this coming Saturday, May 6th.

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Artist Interview | Cat Rabbit

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After the exciting interview with Philippa Rice from our current exhibition “The Strange Hearts Club”, we are even more excited to introduce another interview with Cat Rabbit.

If you missed  our interview with Philippa, you can click HERE and visit the interview. Makes “The Strange Hearts Club” is on view through October 4th, 2016.

~Interview with Cat Rabbit.~

Q1- Please tell us a little bit about your background…

I first started making little plush toys for friends when I was studying at university. My interest in textiles grew from there and I began experimenting with embroidery and 3D felt techniques. I am now a full-time practicing textile artist, based in Melbourne, Australia. I make plush sculptural works of my imagined characters and the worlds they might live in. I also make books for Children and other fantastical artworks with my collaborator and good pal Isobel Knowles under the name Soft Stories.

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Q2 -What was the first work of art that you saw or experienced that you still remember today? 

I grew up in Tasmania, in a very small country town. Every week, my Mum used to take us to the Launceston Museum and I remember just staring for ages at the detailed dioramas of prehistoric animal habitats and dinosaur bones.

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Q3 -Who were your earliest influencers of famous artists or creators? 

Richard Scarry and Beatrix Potter have definitely been my longest serving inspirations! I have many old, battered copies of their books from my childhood that I refer back to over and over again. Their ability to create not only beautiful characters, but worlds for their characters to exist in, is something I strive for myself.

 

 

 

Q4 – Please tell us about your work… What do you make?

I make soft sculptures of my imagined characters using needle felt and 3D felting techniques.

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Q5 -What generally inspires or influences you to create your work?

I like to devise new characters all the time! I get an idea in my head or sketch something out and am not satisfied until I work it up into a 3D character.

Q6 -What is the main challenge for you when creating your work? 

I like my work to engage a wide audience, so there are elements that appeal to young children and also an older generation. My main objective when creating new work for exhibition is to incite feelings of comfort, joy and nostalgia – when I make a piece that encapsulates all of these elements, I am satisfied with the work!

 

Q7 -What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on a series of food related characters: a Croissant pâtissière, a Dango delivery person and a Egg headed egg farmer – I am increasingly fascinated by absurd characters made up of inanimate objects, like food, and I’m enjoying experimenting with new and weird themes.

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Q8 -What is your dream or goal as an artist in 3 years? 5 years? 

I am addicted to sewing new things, so if I’m still able to do that, then I’ll be happy ^_^

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Lastly, Do you have any message to visitors for this exhibition? 

Please enjoy these new characters that Philippa and I have made as part of the Strange Hearts Club! Online dating is a new world of crazy possibility that really fascinates me, and I wanted to explore what my characters would look like if they were plunged in to this world!

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-Please tell up what we should check out / should not miss in this exhibition. 

The Koala! I have wanted to make a koala for some time, and it’s one of my favorite new creations (particularly the Rilakkuma phone case).

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