Incantations

Metro Pictures is pleased to announce the next exhibition, Incantations, curated by Nicelle Beauchene and Kent Henricksen.

Incantations gathers together several artists who are responsible for the conjuring of subhuman forms that seemingly have access to sublime magical abilities. The strange, extrasensory powers possessed by these crudely gnarled and contorted figures, embrace and entice the viewer, as dark forces are at work and are revealed with a gritty sense of humor.

These artists are undoubtedly acting as magic practitioners themselves, as they summon and invoke these kitschy characters. Being that these forms are imbued with mysterious and paranormal capabilities, they might be perceived as witches, warlocks, sorcerers or even wizards. Whatever their domination or intention, they bring forth a sense of enchantment through their apparent spell casting, spirit raising, or engagement in clairvoyant activities.

The raw wit relayed in these works exposes a magnitude of clichés and irony within the works' references to pop culture, crude subject matter and the use of unconventional materials. It is almost unsettling for the viewer, in that distempered humor is coupled with paranormal sources, revealing a new potency of the fantastic through the dark and sinister side of the human psyche. This exhibition addresses the hidden power forces within subhuman forms and their effects on voyeurism, as an uncertainty lingers as to whether these morphed forms intend to create or destroy.

Artists whose work will be included within the exhibition include: Alex Bag, Olaf Breuning, Liz Craft, John Espinosa, Christian Holstad, Mike Kelley, Keegan McHargue, Justin Samson, and Cindy Sherman.