Cheap @ White Columns
by NY Arts
In a time when many artists are utilizing cutting edge digital technologies with high production values, Cheap takes a look at a selection of those who embrace the use of found objects, accessible materials, and low overhead costs. Although they work with an economy of resources, these artists are exploring such topics as consumerism and commodity culture with a shared sense of humor and cleverness. Cheap brings together emerging artist who are based in New York City and Chicago. After its presentation at White Columns, the exhibition will be presented at Gallery 312 in Chicago in May of 2003. This second venue will coincide with the publication of a "cheap" themed issue of the Chicago-based magazine 10 x 10, featuring a piece by the curators of this exhibition.
Amanda Browder (Chicago) uses everyday found materials such as fake fur and AstroTurf to make stuffed sculptural abstractions that are influenced by comics such as Donald Duck, Zap, and The Freak Brothers. Eric Brown (NYC) uses minimal gestures to give his cardboard pieces form reminiscent of architectural structures and modern sculpture. Lisa Caccioppoli (Chicago) arranges painted Styrofoam cubes to investigate sensory experience and order using a self-defined visual vocabulary. Matthew Callinan (NYC) creates sculpture out of such materials as plastic soda bottles, PVC pipe and garbage cans. Jane Creech (NYC) presents a 12 ft long "painting" composed of thousands of red staples on foam core. The variation in color of the industrially produced and colored staples creates the effects of a painter’s brushstrokes on canvas.
