Jonathan Monk "t-shirts"
Specific Object
This event has ended.
Specific Object / David Platzker announces the opening Jonathan Monk : t-shirts.
In this project Specific Object presents a new body of works by Monk composed of fifteen unique t-shirts.1
This exhibition will be the first [seventh] solo show in New York by the British artist, Jonathan Monk. Jonathan, who graduated in 1991 from the Glasgow School of Art, lives and works in Glasgow, Scotland [Berlin, Germany]. His work is concerned with shifting moments from art history and appropriating aspects of commonplace acts in daily life.2
The exhibition at Specific Object plays against Monk’s concurrent exhibition being held at Casey Kaplan Gallery where … for Monk’s 6th solo exhibition in New York with the gallery [Casey Kaplan], the artist will present his own version of [Jeff] Koons’ infamous rabbit [Rabbit, 1986] in five different poses. Similarly cast in stainless steel, Monk’s bunnies are frozen moments in time that capture five different states of deflation of what was once the taut, inflated child’s toy. With each exhalation of air, the plastic bunny droops, folds, and eventually rests in an undulating heap, recalling one of Henry Moore’s classic bronze reclining nude sculptures.3
The t-shirts at Specific Object play in concert with these sculptures, and expand upon them utilizing Monk’s charismatically sly humor and shared references to historically significant minimal and conceptual art.4
From installation to painting, performance to photography, the work of Jonathan Monk does not conform to one instantly recognizable visual style. Personal memories and anecdotal references to art history form a network of cross references which challenge the notion of genius and purity in modern art. The diversity of allusion playfully demystifies the creative process and suggests alternative models for how art and the role of the artist can be interpreted.5
Monk presents artwork that explores his own family history and his playful interest in conceptual art. These two themes continue to merge and overlap in his work.6
Approaching art history with his tongue in his cheek, Monk refers to well-known art works by appropriating conceptual elements or titles. This practice challenges the imperatives of originality and innovation and can be seen both as a homage to his artist heroes, as a gentle mockery of art history or even as a degradation of his own position as an artist. Questioning the authorities of art in a surprising, non-academic and intelligent way, his works deal with matters of identity (as an artist), of history, time, and the making of art.7
Media
Schedule
from May 08, 2009 to June 12, 2009