Casey Weldon: "Catharsis" A Solo Show at Spoke NY

Catharsis

a solo show by Casey Weldon

Opening Reception: November 30th, 2017 6 - 8pm

On view: November 30th - December 22nd, 2017[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"></v:path> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"></o:lock> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="officeArt_x0020_object" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:332.5pt;margin-top:17.4pt; width:135pt;height:173.7pt;z-index:251660288;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:12pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:12pt; mso-wrap-distance-right:12pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:12pt; mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:line' wrapcoords="-8 -6 21592 -6 21592 21588 -8 21588 -8 -6" strokeweight="1pt"> <v:stroke miterlimit="4"></v:stroke> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/Nicole%20Gordon/AppData/Local/Packages/oice_16_974fa576_32c1d314_1cae/AC/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg" o:title=""></v:imagedata> <w:wrap type="through" anchorx="margin" anchory="line"></w:wrap> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]

SPOKE NYC is pleased to present “Catharsis” an exhibition by Seattle-based artist, Casey Weldon in what will be his inaugural solo exhibition at SPOKE NYC and fourth exhibition with SPOKE ART. “Catharsis” is an exploration into Weldon’s surreal, stylized world inspired by pop culture. Consisting of a new body of paintings, Weldon uses cats as inspiration to create a satirical analysis on the internet and social media.

Weldon’s narrative based acrylic paintings draw out the light, glowing with a mysterious luminosity. Piercing eyes gaze back at the viewer, drawing you in and inviting you to observe their unsettling and humorous environment. Focusing on pop culture, Weldon’s work is a commentary on modern day life and our dependency on social media.

Inspired by Giorgio de Chirico, Andre Breton and other 20th century surrealist painters, Weldon’s dream-like and fantastical narratives playfully coax the viewer to consider the role of social media in our everyday lives - the absurdity of time spent scrolling through photographs and feeds, as well as the the withdrawn insularity of choosing social media over genuine social interactions.

About his work, the artist states, “With the rise of social media, shared adoration and adulation have made the cat pic a frequent daily affair. Simultaneously pulling at our heart strings and poking our funny bones, the cat is equally worshiped and laughed at. This is a body of work exploring this duality while allowing me to hopefully get this whole cat painting thing out of my system.”

Please join us Thursday, November 30th from 6 - 8 pm for the opening reception of “Catharsis”. Complimentary beverages will be served and the artist will be in attendance.

______________________________________________________________________________

WHAT : “Catharsis” - a solo show by Casey Weldon

WHEN : Opening Reception: November 30th, 6 - 8 pm // On view: November 30th - December 22nd, 2017

WHERE : SPOKE NYC 210 Rivington St. New York, NY 10002

______________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Casey Weldon lives and works as an illustrator and fine artist in Seattle, Washington. Weldon was born in southern California, where he spent the majority of his life up to his graduation from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. By combining contemporary iconography with past popular culture references, his work aims to awaken a feeling of nostalgia within the viewer, often alongside a sense of humor, melancholy and longing for times lost.

______________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE GALLERY I SPOKE NYC + SF

SPOKE is an art space specializing in new contemporary painting, sculpture and illustration with an emphasis in accessible programming. Started in 2010, the gallery now houses two locations, one in San Francisco’s Lower Nob Hill neighborhood and one in New York City’s Lower East Side. Each space rotates monthly exhibits that feature a wide variety of solo and group shows, many of which feature an international roster of represented artists.

______________________________________________________________________________

FB EVENT PAGE : https://www.facebook.com/events/138740983553866/

SPOKE ART : http://www.spoke-art.com/

CASEY WELDON : http://caseyweldon.com