London Police and Dan Baldwin at Carmichael (LA)

September 8, 2009 Artists

The London Police
Brothers in Arms
September 10 – October 1
Opening reception: Thursday, September 10, 2009

Carmichael Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of all new Hollywood-themed paintings, video and photography by British artist collective The London Police. Internationally recognized for their artwork, toy design and street interventions, this is their first solo show with Carmichael Gallery.

“Brothers in Arms” is a celebration of The London Police’s ten year anniversary. The show features works on canvases, a photographic montage, a site-specific installation and a short film documenting the artists’ creative process. The show’s title reflects both the film (a social experiment about personal space and the artistic and private challenges presented while handcuffed to another person) and the brotherly friendship of partners Chaz and Bob, who have withstood a decade of adventures around the world to present their most focused and exciting body of work yet. This new series of boldly monochromatic pieces pay homage to the city of angels and the classic films of their childhood, such as “Back to the Future” and “Star Wars”. Recognizable imagery is integrated into the symbolic London Police world of smiling characters and futuristic cityscapes. Building upon successful shows in London and Amsterdam during the spring, the collective’s synthesis of high and low culture in “Brothers in Arms” allows for a greater conversation of aesthetics, psychology and globalization.

The London Police (courtesy Carmichael Gallery)

Dan Baldwin
Disillusion
September 10 – October 1
Opening reception: Thursday, September 10, 2009

Carmichael Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of new paintings and ceramics by English artist Dan Baldwin. This is Baldwin’s debut US solo exhibition and his first with Carmichael Gallery.

Fifteen paintings, four ceramic vases and an exclusive, limited edition print compose Disillusion, Baldwin’s most mature and provocative body of work to date. His portrayal of a fantastic cosmos in which pop cultural icons, myths and symbolic imagery collide presents a heightened yet informed criticism of contemporary life. Baldwin began this work immediately following Dead Innocent, his successful solo exhibition at Forster Gallery, London, in September, 2008. Whilst the artistic through-line is evident, it is equally apparent that Baldwin has grown and developed significantly over the past twelve months, both technically and emotionally. The impact of personal and global events has effected a distinct shift from last year’s delicate, cheering palette and themes of love and beauty to reveal a different side to the artist – combining harsh fragmentation, coarse realism and devastated innocence, the new work is an intense fusion of visceral eye candy which shocks, entices and delights.