Published in
Oranges & Sardines (O&S) Vol. I, Issue 3 | Winter 2008
"Lowbrow" is a term coined by underground painter Robert Williams in the late '70s. Having difficulties finding gallery representation, he decided his "cartoon-tainted abstract surrealism" was the complete opposite of "highbrow" art and said so in a printed interview. The term has stuck.
Today,
Juxtapoz magazine (whose covers used to say "Lowbrow Art d'Fuck You") claims to have the largest circulation of any art rag, and Los Angeles supports an actual, thriving lowbrow art industry. As its influence creeps East and beyond our borders, brick-and-mortar oases of canvas (and wood and skate decks, oh my) counter-culture pass on the signal. There's Roq La Rue in Seattle, Lowbrow Emporium in Austin, Earl McGrath in New York. In Chicago, Rotofugi's where it's at.
After its absorption of DVA Gallery, Rotofugi stands the lone beacon for Chicago's collectors and fans of West Coast-style lowbrow art. There are other galleries in the City who represent such work, but Rotofugi is the most authentic example of what's happening on a daily basis in LA--the combination of a toy/oddity store and serious art space in one location.
Recently featured was local artist Joey D, with a one man show titled
Mooks. According to his artist statement, Joey D is a "corporate whore," though on closer examination, we find that he is an illustrator and designer--not exactly being an accountant for a mega-firm or CEO of a tobacco company, but if it helps him create more art, he can go on believing that he's oppressed by The Man.
The work, which ranges from skewed portraits in fancy frames to characters on jigsaw-cut boards to paintings on traffic signs and thrown-away furniture, is always vibrant: Even the two-tone miniature namesake Mooks portraits are not lacking in contrast. (One wall featured about twenty.)
The content is, like most lowbrow art, quizzical. I personally think most artists in this genre do not really provide narrative; instead, they compile interesting elements to create an interesting image as eye-candy... or attempt to fool the viewer into thinking a story exists where there is none. For instance, "Ert & Bernie" shows garbage-pail versions of the Sesame Street duo of questionable persuasion posing by a street sign that says "QRST." It's nothing complicated. I think Joey D is just saying they live on Queer Street. Of course, I'm not very deep.
Notable themes include cancerous noses that seem stuck-on Mr. Potato Head-style, and red cheek circles one can see used more successfully on Josh Clay's work. There also are lots of Band-Aids and blemishes, as well as puny arms and stubby, almost useless hands. The characters could never be described as pretty, although the work can be.
Color is Joey D's strongest suit: He has learned to mix paints masterfully to create tints full of life and to prevent shade from being muddy. Since he's only in his mid-twenties, the artist will probably evolve to different styles throughout his career, but his mastery of color-mixing is a strong foundation that should remain.
Most lowbrow artists today seem content to show an oddball character and not worry about the most basic of design elements, composition. In a technical sense, painting a made-up character who is centered on a board (especially if just a head) is a relatively simple task. It's not realism, so there's no way to judge whether the work is accurate. In a lot of cases, there is no other scenery, so the viewer cannot decide whether the artist has used the space well. Joey D falls into this trap with most of his pieces.
The upside: As more and more artists join the gallery ranks, and consequently, more and more weakly composed pieces are thrown into the scene, Joey D will have moved on to more thoughtfully produced pieces, which will be backed by his impressive painting skill.
Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery is located at 1953-55 West Chicago Avenue in Chicago. Visit www.rotofugi.com.
Joey D's work can be viewed at www.angrybrownboy.com.
