“CONSUMERISM & PRODUCT” #1

Reception for the artists:
March 25. Saturday. 6pm – 10pm
Show continues through April 22.

YaYa Chou & Katy Bowen

Both artists are presently working with the premise of “Consumerism & Product”, each on literal & conceptual views. Working within the constructs of design on a consumer level, they are addressing the socioeconomic ironies of their subject matter or motivations. They are using materials commonly found within the home craft market in conjunction with high art painting or sculpture values to create a dichotomy that is timely.

In circa 1917 Russia, the Constructivist Manifesto was written to explain the process of “constructing art”. During an era of new technology, new art was about the simple breakdowns of line, shape & color into geometric shapes & abstracted parts reassembled. Motivated by color theory & pattern, the Constructivists placed & replaced materials to create abstracts of new, fresh, modern design. Pure art faded, in favor of art used for sociopolitical purposes, for the cause of aesthetic in conjunction with societal needs, whether it was propaganda imposed on the streets, or in costuming for the theatre or for textile & functional design in the home.

Katy Bowen removes shaped areas from the panel she paints on, then does a geometric layered color study within the shape by layering geometric felt on top of the other in graduating sizes to create a new recessed surface. In addition, pompoms are used in other perforations to create a color study using the soft round shapes & textures clustered. In these ways she reconstructs areas to focus on the breakdown of a particular color.

Katy Bowen’s work evolves around the use of quirky wild animals, folk-lore beasts & their places, as well as relatable childhood memories. A piece in the show, “The Matterhorn Vista” is a fantastical place in the wilderness of the Alps. Additional pieces include animals such as the hedgehog or toy portraits, Loch Ness Monster, & nostalgic places such as a tree house.

The underlying theme of her entire body of work is the intersection of the mass-produced and the hand-made. Her use of felt & pompoms act as decorative elements to reinforce the childhood feelings and experiences associated with first-time art projects. Here the concept of the use of consumer products in fine art is solidified.

Katy Bowen has been exhibiting extensively throughout Los Angeles, including Special Recognition from Alma Ruiz of MOCA. She received her BFA from UCLA in 1996.

Shortly before & after the Constructvists, the United States was in the Post-Victorian age of opulence – where decadent fabrics such as velvets & heavy brocades, floral patterns & exotic animals were a sign of wealth, prosperity & good taste. The parlor became the domestic locale for expression, showing individuals’ status in a private setting where private gatherings were assembled. The various animal skins or taxidermy were on display to show the conquering of man over animal while on pseudo or actual exotic ventures. The work of the lady of the house especially embroidery, showcased her best features, such as creating beautifully embellished fabric decorations, shoulder rests & pillows. Idle hands were intolerable, & sewing dainty stitches were the symbol of refinement & examples of her talents.

YaYa Chou’s work evolves around the use of wild animals in domestic settings as decoration. Chou is currently known for a pivotal piece, “The Gummi Bear Chandelier”. It is a traditional, functional chandelier that is comprised of actual Gummi Bears painstakingly threaded through monofilament to emulate crystal baubles.

Additional pieces are paintings incorporating wild animal portraits or silhouettes with domestic wall paper-type backgrounds & other consumer product embellishments that enhance the irony of the animal & it relationship with its human user or admirer. In the mixed media painting, entitled, “Rosie”, a floral fabric bear is lovingly stitched onto the canvas of pink wallpaper. The bear admires her large claws, which are mirrored in the fake pink fingernails arranged like flowers on the canvas too.

YaYa Chou has been showing throughout Taiwan & the United States, is the recipient of merit awards for her animation projects and her bibliography includes Artscene and Los Angeles Times among others. She received her BA from Fu-Jen University in Taipei & MFA from Cal Arts in 2000.

Gallery Revisited has relocated from Chinatown to Silver Lake. This is the first in a series of shows that are derived from specific themes which will alternate throughout the year. There will be 3 themes: “Consumerism & Product”, “Lyrics & Dialogue” and “Small is Large”. In true Revisited fashion, the gallery is located through another store to the back, near the corner of Descanso Drive & Sunset Blvd. Thank You.