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Email PageHorsepower
November 27, 2007- December 10, 2007
Reception: November 27, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Russell Young
Milk Gallery
450 W 15th StVANINA HOLASEK GALLERY is proud to present Horsepower, a new solo exhibition of work by Russell Young hosted by MILK GALLERY. Horsepower will be on view from November 27th to December 10th, 2007 at MILK GALLERY.
Through the years, Russell Young's art has expanded its reach without losing its primary roots. It has steadily moved towards the reinvention of a symbolic and cultural universe while continuing to link itself to the British-born artist's life-long inspirations. During his childhood years spent in Northern England, Young embraced and created a world that grew parallel to his real life. The world he created for himself was not imaginary; it was a world dominated by Hollywood adventures, icons, and heroes that he absorbed through television, Young’s only window to the world. These icons and heroes quickly became his role models, who were otherwise difficult to come by in early 1970s Northern England.
In his earlier works, noticeably through his Pig Portraits and Fame and Shame series, Young concentrated on the celebrity stardom and troubles that various 20th century iconic figures encountered in their careers as well as in their personal lives.
In Horsepower, Young explores a new frontier in his cultural vocabulary. The images of Bridget Bardot echo a strident contrast with Richard Prince's Girlfriends. While the images of Hollywood legends in Young’s art portray America in its cultural essence, the use of Bardot as a character in his art speaks about something larger than a mere national self-reference: it is a cultural bond created by Europe’s observation and often simulation of American lifestyles.
The works in Horsepower illustrate a strong dialogue between Wild West cowboys and motorcycle rebels. In this series, Young expands beyond the cultural value and significance of the icons of the past century. Young constructs images that easily captivate the realm of contemporary mass culture. These images of rugged characters become the voices of mythological figures of a distant past, transformed into modern day heroes.
Books and DVDs related to artists in this show
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