“Suggestivism,” curated
by 30-something artist Nathan Spoor, is a potpourri of paintings by more
than 50 contemporary artists, nearly all of whom have worked assiduously
at figurative
painting. Along with a few abstract pieces, these address lowbrow, surreal,
otherworldly, fantasy and sci fi themes. These works by Sandow Birk, Ron
English, Bob Dob, Nathan Spoor and many more are intensely attractive given
the predominance
of bright colors, jarring juxtaposition of themes and outrageous subject
matter. Included are “Anapeallegry” by Todd Schorr, a Gorilla in a pink
bunny suit, hawking Easter baskets; Nicoletta Ceccoli’s “Casting
Pearls,” a delicate girl doll walking a clothed pig; “Deer,” a
fantasy two-headed deer by Liz McGrath; and “Suddenly,” by Spoor,
a detailed town infused with light, shadows, water, symbolism and connectivity,
the latter subject to interpretation by the viewer. The best piece in the show,
the huge acrylic and collage “Almost Complete Manifest” by Brendan
Monroe, is of a human figure perhaps being formed out of mud. Spoor writes
about “Suggestivism, “Through the mere power of suggestion, the
magic is transferred from one to another, engaging the world at large from
the most vivid and evocative of visual realms.” The magic and movement
among the realms, along with the careful craft in individual works, results
in a lowbrow-art inspired show that engages, amuses and occasionally shocks
the viewer (CSUF Grand Central Art Center, Orange County).
LG
