Chuck Sperry

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SCOPE Miami 2011, Varnish Fine Art Exhibits “Mind Spring” Wood Panel Series

In over thirty five fairs spanning the past ten years, SCOPE has solidified its position as the premier show-case for international emerging contemporary art.

LOCATION: Wynwood Gallery Arts District | NE 1st Ave (Midtown Blvd) @ NE 30th St | Miami, Florida 33127

ADMISSION:
General Admission $20 and Students $15
Free for VIP cardholders

FirstView, for VIP’s and Press

Tuesday, November 29, 4 – 9pm
Free for VIPs or $100 donation to benefit The SCOPE Foundation

HOURS: Wednesday, Nov 30, 11 – 7pm
Thursday, Dec 1, 11 – 7pm
Friday, Dec 2, 11 – 7pm
Saturday, Dec 3, 11 -7pm
Sunday, Dec 4, 11 – 6pm

ARTIST STATEMENT: Chuck Sperry uses silkscreen to forge intricate textures and energetic color to create iconographic images that transform ephemeral events and experiences by creating a lexicon of shared cultural visual memory. In his piece Mind Spring, Sperry creates an icon of the Worldwide Occupy Movement and it’s antecedent in the Arab Spring. The figure wreathed in blooming spring flowers is a representation of the surprising enlightened humanism, the opening mind, the broadened socio-political possibilities which have swept the world in 2011.

Mind Spring (Blue)

2011

Hand-Pulled Screen Print on Panel

Edition of 4

36 x 44 ”

Six colors screen printed on birch panel.

(Inquire to Varnish Fine Art for price and availability)

Mind Spring (Green)

2011

Hand-Pulled Screen Print on Panel

Edition of 4

36 x 44 ”

Six colors screen printed on birch panel.

(Inquire to Varnish Fine Art for price and availability)

Mind Spring (Purple)

2011

Hand-Pulled Screen Print on Panel

Edition of 4

36 x 44 ”

Six colors screen printed on birch panel.

(Inquire to Varnish Fine Art for price and availability)

Mind Spring (Silver)

2011

Hand-Pulled Screen Print on Panel

Edition of 3

36 x 44 ”

Six colors screen printed on birch panel.

(Inquire to Varnish Fine Art for price and availability)

 

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The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011

The New York Times ran a story about the The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, so here’s a reminder about tomorrow’s show. You can read this and more articles in my press and reviews heading.

I’m happy to announce I’ll be attending TRPS Festival of Rock Posters. First, I’ve got some news to share regarding some exclusive releases for the Festival. Second, I have a special promotion to tell you about.

First, I’ll be making some very limited variants available on a one per person basis only to participants of the exposition on October 8, 2011. There are some surprises here:

The Black Keys, Cage The Elephant, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

30 x 22

Blue Linen Variant Edition of 25

6 colors on blue linen paper

Signed and Numbered

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

The Black Keys, Outside Lands, San Francisco

August 13, 2011

20 x 34

Blue Linen Variant Edition of 25

6 colors on blue linen paper

Signed and Numbered

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

Humanity

22 x 33

Blue Linen Variant Edition of 4

6 colors on blue linen paper

Signed and Numbered

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

 

Widespread Panic “Summer” Poster

Gold Japanese Mulberry Variant Edition

22 x 33

7 colors on imported Gold Japanese Mulberry paper

Signed and Numbered

Edition of 5

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

Widespread Panic “Summer” Poster

Silver Japanese Mulberry Variant Edition

22 x 33

7 colors on imported Silver Japanese Mulberry paper

Signed and Numbered

Edition of 3

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

________________________

Okay second, my special promotion, well, treasure hunt really.

If you’ve been reading my blog closely you may be aware that I have a lot of art work hanging around the fair City of San Francisco. I’d like you see to see all my art in person – so I’m providing a little incentive – in a fun way.

First here’s a list of the three exhibitions where I have work showing (then I’ll show you what you get, if you go and see them; and explain how you can get it) …

1. The San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art Window Gallery is exhibiting an 11 foot by 9 foot acrylic painting of mine called “Saint Everyone” on Minna Street (which is hanging with Chris Shaw’s and Ron Donovan’s paintings in adjoining windows). There is also a colaborative piece, I painted with Chris Shaw, called “Temporally Bound (Three Gorgons)” which is installed on Natoma Street on the other side of the SFMOMA garage.

2. Varnish Fine Art Gallery is exhibiting a painting of mine called “Heathen Child” at 16 Jesses Street as part of their Relaunch Show.

3. The San Francisco Public Library is exhibiting “High Volume: Rock Art from the Chuck Sperry Archive and the Firehouse Goldenvoice Poster Series” at the Main Branch on Grove and Market.

Here’s what you get – limited to one per person – on a first come / first serve basis – while supplies last:

The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, 2011

18 x 33

Edition of 100

2 colors on imported purple linen paper

Signed and Numbered

_________________________

Here’s how you get it:

Take a photograph of yourself in front of my art as exhibited in one of the following shows:

1. SFMOMA Window Gallery, “Saint Everyone” or “Temporally Bound (Three Gorgons)”

2. Varnish Fine Art Gallery, “Heathen Child.”

3. San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, “High Volume.”

You must be physically present at one of the above listed shows and take a photo of yourself there: in front of my art. Then bring the photo to me at The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters on October 8, 2011 and show me your photo. Once I verify that you have indeed been to one of the above listed shows, and have successfully taken a photo in front of my art there, then you will receive my poster (directly above) entitled “The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, 2011” (limited to one per person while supplies last on a first come / first serve basis). This exclusive release promotion is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

BONUS GIFT VARIANT: You must be physically present at ALL THREE LOCATIONS (listed as 1. SFMOMA , 2. Varnish Fine Art , 3. SF Public Library above) of the above listed shows and take a photos of yourself at ALL THREE LOCATIONS: in front of my art. Then bring the photos to me at The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters on October 8, 2011 and show me your photos. Once I verify that you have indeed been to all three of the above listed show locations, and have successfully taken photos in front of my art at all three locations, then you will receive my  BONUS GIFT VARIANT of the poster entitled “The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, 2011” (limited to one per person while supplies last on a first come / first serve basis). This exclusive release promotion is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

By

Poster Show in Paris

 

Chuck Sperry Rock Art

Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7 pm to 11:30 pm

Sésame, 51 Quai de Valmy, Paris (Xeme)

Heading to Paris and Marseille to make a visit to France, and to catch a little R & R. Rock and Roll, or Rest and Relaxation, depending on how you look at it. I fly out Sunday morning after the TRPS show in Golden Gate Park. I refuse to say anything else on the grounds that it may incriminate me – haha – yes, Pappa’s coming back to the 11th Arrondissement and the fair City of Marseille. Let’s have some fun!

My host Léna Balacco owner of Sésame:

“Même si je ne le présente plus c’est toujours avec le même (putain de) plaisir le recevoir… Cette fois-ci, il ne sera là qu’un soir avec ses dernières sérigraphies sorties de son atelier de San Francisco. Ce sera rock, ce sera court et bon, ce sera un 13 et l’on sera nombreux. Prenez du cash les enfants, le Rock Art va envahir nos murs, ça n’arrive qu’une fois cette année et c’est au Sésame, évidemment. à jeudi prochain.”

 

By

The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011

I’m happy to announce I’ll be attending TRPS Festival of Rock Posters. First, I’ve got some news to share regarding some exclusive releases for the Festival. Second, I have a special promotion to tell you about.

First, I’ll be making some very limited variants available on a one per person basis only to participants of the exposition on October 8, 2011. There are some surprises here:

The Black Keys, Cage The Elephant, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

30 x 22

Blue Linen Variant Edition of 25

6 colors on blue linen paper

Signed and Numbered

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

The Black Keys, Outside Lands, San Francisco

August 13, 2011

20 x 34

Blue Linen Variant Edition of 25

6 colors on blue linen paper

Signed and Numbered

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

Humanity

22 x 33

Blue Linen Variant Edition of 4

6 colors on blue linen paper

Signed and Numbered

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

 

Widespread Panic “Summer” Poster

Gold Japanese Mulberry Variant Edition

22 x 33

7 colors on imported Gold Japanese Mulberry paper

Signed and Numbered

Edition of 5

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

Widespread Panic “Summer” Poster

Silver Japanese Mulberry Variant Edition

22 x 33

7 colors on imported Silver Japanese Mulberry paper

Signed and Numbered

Edition of 3

This exclusive release is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

________________________

Okay second, my special promotion, well, treasure hunt really.

If you’ve been reading my blog closely you may be aware that I have a lot of art work hanging around the fair City of San Francisco. I’d like you see to see all my art in person – so I’m providing a little incentive – in a fun way.

First here’s a list of the three exhibitions where I have work showing (then I’ll show you what you get, if you go and see them; and explain how you can get it) …

1. The San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art Window Gallery is exhibiting an 11 foot by 9 foot acrylic painting of mine called “Saint Everyone” on Minna Street (which is hanging with Chris Shaw’s and Ron Donovan’s paintings in adjoining windows). There is also a colaborative piece, I painted with Chris Shaw, called “Temporally Bound (Three Gorgons)” which is installed on Natoma Street on the other side of the SFMOMA garage.

2. Varnish Fine Art Gallery is exhibiting a painting of mine called “Heathen Child” at 16 Jesses Street as part of their Relaunch Show.

3. The San Francisco Public Library is exhibiting “High Volume: Rock Art from the Chuck Sperry Archive and the Firehouse Goldenvoice Poster Series” at the Main Branch on Grove and Market.

Here’s what you get – limited to one per person – on a first come / first serve basis – while supplies last:

The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, 2011

18 x 33

Edition of 100

2 colors on imported purple linen paper

Signed and Numbered

_________________________

Here’s how you get it:

Take a photograph of yourself in front of my art as exhibited in one of the following shows:

1. SFMOMA Window Gallery, “Saint Everyone” or “Temporally Bound (Three Gorgons)”

2. Varnish Fine Art Gallery, “Heathen Child.”

3. San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, “High Volume.”

You must be physically present at one of the above listed shows and take a photo of yourself there: in front of my art. Then bring the photo to me at The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters on October 8, 2011 and show me your photo. Once I verify that you have indeed been to one of the above listed shows, and have successfully taken a photo in front of my art there, then you will receive my poster (directly above) entitled “The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, 2011” (limited to one per person while supplies last on a first come / first serve basis). This exclusive release promotion is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

BONUS GIFT VARIANT: You must be physically present at ALL THREE LOCATIONS (listed as 1. SFMOMA , 2. Varnish Fine Art , 3. SF Public Library above) of the above listed shows and take a photos of yourself at ALL THREE LOCATIONS: in front of my art. Then bring the photos to me at The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters on October 8, 2011 and show me your photos. Once I verify that you have indeed been to all three of the above listed show locations, and have successfully taken photos in front of my art at all three locations, then you will receive my  BONUS GIFT VARIANT of the poster entitled “The Rock Poster Society, Festival of Rock Posters, 2011” (limited to one per person while supplies last on a first come / first serve basis). This exclusive release promotion is only available at TRPS Festival of Rock Posters, October 8, 2011.

 

By

“Heathen Child” Painting

Heathen Child painting by Chuck Sperry, 2011

I’m still riffing on the ideas that opened up when creating the SFMOMA Window Gallery installation. How to synthesize painting with silkscreen printing? What about a rock image makes a great painting? How can the processes of silkscreen printing, especially the layering effects, be brought off as a painting?

I brought some elements of the Window installation painting, “Saint Everyone,” to my new painting, “Heathen Child.” I’m working from a rock poster palette and from rock poster imagery. The Ginderman poster was the basis for the imagery of “Heathen Child,” but I wanted to take this in a new direction with materials and technique.

I used my circle patterns and carefully silkscreened a wide selection of patterns in different sizes in heavy metallic blue silver with green tinting on very delicate japanese printing paper. I was sure this would make a wonderful color for the background of the painting, layer nicely and become embedded in the surface of the canvas.

I laid a thick layer of cadmium red for the figure and flowers. This was modeled – shaded and highlighted – with many glazes of fluorescent red and orange to build up the surface and form. I brushed in shadows of cadmium and knocked those back with subsequent glaze layers of fluorescent. I needed the final edge color to be intense enough to eye-fry when the blue line was brushed on at the end. But wanted the shadow effects to translate in the finished art.

The lava forms were built up with fluorescent push-pull with cadmium, but the difference there was to build up a highlighted finish with pearl lustre. There is an pearlescent finish on the lava forms.

After the red areas were treated I put the background. Each circle was carefully cut out and then puzzled right to the edge of the red figure. I used gloss gel medium for under the paper surface and liquid gloss medium brushed over the paper surface.

Cobalt and permanent green for the foliage over the layered paper at the foreground.

Then when the brush and stars aligned – I finished the figure with blue eye-fry paint – first-stroke best stroke style – breathing deeply and making gestural strokes until it was finished with a very nice worked-in brush.

Like “Saint Everyone” – “Heathen Child” is a painting exploring direct religious experience in a psychedelic key of fluorescent, and perhaps a little more pagan or pantheistic in scope. Here’s some details (click to see larger):

Heathen Child, 2011

Acrylic and applique on canvas

24 x 26

______________________

Heathen Child is available through Varnish Fine Art Gallery, 16 Jesse Street, San Francisco.

I’m really happy to see Jen Rogers and Kerri Stephens have brought Varnish Fine Art back to life and have such cool new digs for shows!

Varnish Fine Art Relaunch Part I

September 24 – through – November 5, 2011

group show with: Chris Mars, Robert Williams, Jennybird Alcantara, Laurie Lipton, Isabel Samaris, Scott Musgrove, Annie Owens, Craig LaRotonda, Nathan Spoor, Chuck Sperry, Kevin Peterson, Beth Bojarski, Edith Lebeau, Aunia Kahn, Ciou, Robert Bowen, Sri Zeno Whipple, Winston Smith, Kevin Evans, Dylan Sisson, Skot Olsen

 

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Sperry Books: “Color x Color” • “Helikon” • “Chthoneon” • “Idyllion”

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