Liao Yibai “Real Fake"

Liao Yibai’s is a Chinese artist who was born in Jiang An, Sichuan, China. He lives and works in Beijing and Chongqing, China. He graduated from Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts (SIFA) and received his MA from Chongqing University. He has had solo exhibitions in both China and New York and has been in many group exhibitions all over the world.  

Yibai’s welded stainless steal sculptures are magnificently molded and are of oversized hand bags, high heel shoes, watches, rings and other luxury objects with high labels. He is trying to depict the real and fake confusions that take place in China’s market place. He shows luxury labels in his works as well as creating his own luxury brands. He is questioning China’s rags to riches and through his sculpture, he elaborates on material obsession. Through his work he is trying to confront the multitudes of popular brands and logos and their overwhelming presence in today’s society. These immaculate sculptures are truly amazing and Yibai’s careful detail is extraordinary.

Liao Yibai’s current exhibition “Real Fake” is taking place at Mike Weiss Gallery located at 520 West 24^th Street, New York, NY from September 10^th - October 30^th. 

Storm Tharp "Ashby Lee Collinson"

Storm Tharp is an artist who was born in 1970 in Ontario Oregon, and lives and works in Portland, Oregon. His work consists of very unique portraits. I found this artist to very interesting in which the technique he uses to create his art and how well he succeeds at it. The way in which he does this, is that he draws his characters by first drawing contours on the page with water. Before the water dries, he adds drops of ink, which expand into various forms and shapes. This process is repeated in various instances to build forms and light sources, which is clearly shown. After the ink is dry, Tharp manipulated the form in a variety of ways such as drawing and erasing. According to the Whitney, “Tharp takes his inspiration form a wide-ranging sew of influences including 1970’s American cinema and Japanese portrait prints.” In addition his character’s have names, histories, and narratives but they suggest multiple interpretations.

    

Tharp has also exhibited at the Portland Art Museum and the Belleview Art Museum,
Belleview, WA and was included in the 2010 Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY. His work is in several public and private collections. He received a BFA in Painting at Washington University in St. Louis.

His most up-coming exhibition “Ashby Lee Collinson” will be help at the Nicole Klagsbrun gallery located at 526 West 26^th Street No. 213, New York, NY from October 29^th to December 31^st 2010.