OPENING RECEPTION
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
7-10pm

ON VIEW
SEPTEMBER 7 - 28, 2018

For more info about available works by Erik Mark Sandberg, please contact info@stephaniechefas.com

Payment plans are available upon request.

PRESS

Juxtapoz
BOOOOOOOM
New American Paintings
Arrested Motion
Supersonic Art

This September, Stephanie Chefas Projects is delighted to present 'Interlude', a solo exhibition of new work from L.A. based artist Erik Mark Sandberg. Drawing from contemporary consumer culture and the relentless bombardment of mass marketing, Sandberg's paintings and sculptures create an uncanny portrait gallery of hairy adolescents. In addition to serving as a metaphor for the perversion and exploitation inherent in the consumer experience, the hirsutism of Sandberg's subjects furthermore signifies the double-edged promise of overnight fame epitomized by Los Angeles. 

With 'Interlude', Sandberg explores themes of rest, solitude, youth culture, and the inherited space of the automotive interior. Automotive interiors hold particular importance to the artist, in that he sees each one as a "sanctuary for private discourse" as well as an "extension of identity". Consequently, each automotive interior functions as both a "physical and psychological prosthetic throughout the paintings". Bringing the theme even further to life are Sandberg's canvases, two of which physically resemble a windshield.

On the importance of the hirsute figures, Sandberg says the following, "The hirsute figures in this show are a melding of proposed evolutionary experiments. The hair becomes a metaphor for the effects of popular culture, and the bear for one’s persona in the age of connection. The visual metaphors at play are for the veil of civility that is becoming increasingly more transparent with living in the city. The backgrounds of the paintings consist of nature, not of this world, but a cosmic form which represents the psychological terrain."

As fascinating the visuals are, the process is just as mind-blowing. To create the brilliant aesthetic underpinning each work, Sandberg employed a broad spectrum of both natural and synthetic materials, along with "recycled computer heat sinks, urethane rubber, cheesecloth, neon light, and sea sponges used in sculpture construction". Each piece was then "bathed in an antiseptic green palette that is common in dental and medical materials. The paintings on wood panels are varnished using a thick high gloss epoxy resin giving a screen like reflection and encasement to those works."

The opening reception for Interlude will be held at Stephanie Chefas Projects on Friday, September 7th from 7-10pm. Stephanie Chefas Projects is located in Portland, Oregon at 305 SE 3rd Avenue on the second floor of the Urban Row building. The exhibition will be on view through September 28th, 2018 and is free and open to the public.

ARTWORK