New York, NY. Porter Contemporary is pleased to announce GRINDHOUSE, a solo exhibition of paintings by Australian pop artist Johnny Romeofrom February 21 through March 30, 2013 with an opening reception with the artist on February 21st from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Romeo sees this exhibition as his love letter to grindhouse cinema, with the new series being a celebration of all things sex, drugs and rock’n’roll. “Romeo’s pop-savvy approach lends the series an air of witty nostalgia in this tongue-in-cheek examination of the grim world of grindhouse,” says Jessica L. Porter, Founder and Director of Porter Contemporary.
This is Romeo’s debut exhibition in New York. Like the films of its namesake, the series exudes seductive, violent energy. With Romeo’s arsenal of brash, expressive colours, pop-inflected punk grit, and graphic imagery, each work is a visual cocktail of seductive vixens, high-octane cars and skulls that laugh in the face of death.
Highlights from the exhibition include Death Stare, pictured above and Smoke House, pictured right, featuring phrases such as ‘Love Gun None’ alluding to a world where love ends with the kiss of death. “Drawing on the quirky nihilism of Tarantino and the vixens of classic Russ Meyers, GRINDHOUSE is my exploration of our fascination with death and destruction,” says artist Johnny Romeo.
Listing Information:
GRINDHOUSE, Paintings by Johnny Romeo
Exhibition Dates: February 21 – March 30, 2013
Opening Reception with the Artist: Feb 21, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Press Inquires: media@portercontemporary.com