Gary James McQueen, The Flayed Angel (2021)
January 8 - February 27 NYC
For more information and pricing, please contact us by phone, email, or at one of our two locations
WEST CHELSEA CONTEMPORARY
NEW YORK CITY - CHELSEA 646.590.0352 231 10th Ave | New York, NY 10011 Hours: Monday – Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday – Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 6pm; Sunday 12 - 6pm
AUSTIN - DOWNTOWN 512.478.4440 1009 West 6th Street #120| Austin, TX 78703 Hours: Monday – Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday – Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 6pm; Sunday 12 - 6pm
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INDEX FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................. 1 - 4
GARY JAMES MCQUEEN....................................................................................................... 5 - 10
KING SALADEEN......................................................................................................................... 11 - 16
THE LOVE CHILD......................................................................................................................... 17 - 20
JAZZ................................................................................................................................................... 21 - 26
PHOEBENEWYORK.................................................................................................................... 27 - 32
Foreword West Chelsea Contemporary is proud to present First Impressions, featuring the work of five emerging and mid-career artists who are shaping the landscape of contemporary art: Gary McQueen;
King
Saladeen;
The
Love
Child;
James
JAZZ;
and
PhoebeNewYork. These innovative artists work across media— from mixed media paintings to collage and photography—to examine their own interior and social worlds. By reflecting on their individual histories, influential movements, and social positioning, these artists create new and reimagined worlds. Using his experience in the fashion industry as a foundation, Gary James McQueen has developed three-dimensional lenticular artworks that immerse viewers in the McQueen world of storytelling. After working under his late-uncle Alexander McQueen as the Head of Textiles, Gary James McQueen branched out to create his own brand where he is forging a new path across media. Applying his advanced knowledge of digital technology with traditional principles of art and fashion, McQueen has created a line of limited edition silk scarves, three-dimensional lenticular artworks, and most recently released an entirely digital fashion show. Through digital modeling software, 3D printed sculptures, and photography McQueen’s body of work finds innovative modes of expression and communication for the modern age. 1
Coming from the harsh realities of life in West Philadelphia, Raheem Johnson, also known as King Saladeen, took it upon himself to grasp true happiness. A self-taught artist whose own path continually led him back to art-making, Saladeen has traversed worlds of apparel, toys, prints, hype and street art all while developing his studio practice simultaneously. From a Champion Fashion Collection and luxury automotive commissions to his solo exhibition "A Way Out" at The Compound Gallery, Saladeen has created a buzz that has resonated across the art world. Saladeen’s vibrant mixed media canvases incorporate found elements from newspaper headlines and magazine cutouts to shoeboxes, interspersed alongside painted scenes, his personal tag, a myriad of text, and his iconic JP the MoneyBear character. References to contemporary culture and the history of pop and street art are intertwined with elements from the artist’s own personal journey resulting in works layered with meaning and ripe with powerful connections. Influenced by the rich organic colors of his home in the Caribbean, The Love Child's color palette exudes an energy that is barely contained by his rough outlines. Formed through feeling and intuition, the artist creates imagined and mythical worlds that transport the viewer and manifest spiritual energy through his unique visual language. Incorporating archetypes from world mythologies, religions, and philosophical traditions, The Love Child intertwines the realm of fine art with a brazen street style aesthetic. 2
Stephen Jaskulski, also known as JAZZ, is a self-taught artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania whose stream of consciousness mixed media paintings explore the human experience through abstraction and deconstructed figuration. Finding inspiration from iconic street artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Richard Hambleton, the artist thoughtfully investigates process and formal technique while breathing contemporary air into a style deeply rooted in history. Accumulated layers of shape, color, and texture reveal the artist’s own personal language of symbols that lend a diaristic quality to his work. Using painting as a form of catharsis and self-investigation, JAZZ’ work is at once deeply personal and widely relatable. PhoebeNewYork, an alter ego character for New York-based artist Libby Schoettle, comes to life in collages created with found objects including vintage fashion magazine pages, old photographs and books, record sleeves, and pop art. Phoebe, a paper-doll like character with a distinctly round pink head and bob haircut, grapples with femininity, sexual politics, love, and independence. Schoettle reveals her own vulnerability, raw emotion, and witty observations
through
Phoebe’s
provocative
and
relatable
statements such as “A Woman To Watch,” “Rock It,” and “Fuck Em!” From wryly dark musings to inspirational affirmations, Phoebe’s multi-faceted personality poignantly captures the contemporary moment and is imbued with the essence of New York, reflecting Schoettle’s own journey of self-discovery made possible by the magic of the city. 3
The torn edges, wrinkles, and spots of Schoettle's collage works are a testament to the artist's predilection for materials that have lived an imperfect life, having been owned and handled by others and invested with a history. The intimacy of her original works are brought into the social arena as PhoebeNew York appears on the streets, from small stickers to larger-than-life wheatpastes, of New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, London, and Berlin. Through subject matter and technique, these five contemporary artists generate imaginative narratives and transport the viewer into new worlds. West Chelsea Contemporary is excited to present new works by these innovative artists and usher them into the epicenter of the contemporary art world in New York City.
4
2005
Gary James McQueen begins working as Head Textile designer for Alexander McQueen MRTW
2011
Savage Beauty exhibition opens at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY featuring GJM Savage Beauty lenticular as the cover of the exhibition catalog
2012
Leaves House of McQueen
2015
Savage Beauty exhibition opens at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London featuring GJM Savage Beauty lenticular as the cover of the exhibition catalog
2018
Creates Vanitas Skull imagery for McQueen documentary film
2019
Collaborates with Fabergé to create a limited-edition silk scarf
2021
Releases digital fashion show Guiding Light Exhibited at Art Miami with West Chelsea Contemporary
5
MCQueen, Gary James British
Gary James McQueen was first introduced to the fashion industry by his late uncle Alexander McQueen, who mentored and inspired him to be the artist he is today. As head textile designer for the Alexander McQueen MRTW the artist developed a niche of optical-illusion textile design, constantly pushing himself and the boundaries of what could be achieved using a 3D canvas as the basis. Gary James McQueen worked alongside Alexander McQueen up until his passing in 2010, and was trusted with many personal projects including the Chrome Skull artwork, which has become iconic as the face of the Savage Beauty Exhibition commemorating Alexander McQueen's life work. Today, Gary James McQueen combines a familial inheritance with his own artistic integrity to explore an innate dexterity for visual storytelling.
6
Gary James McQueen The Vanitas Skull (/20), 2019 Lenticular Artwork Transition 62.50 x 47 in
7
Gary James McQueen The Flayed Angel (/20), 2021 Lenticular Artwork Transition 48 x 38.50 in
8
Gary James McQueen Savage Beauty (/20), 2021 Lenticular Artwork Transition 48 x 38.50 in
9
Gary James McQueen Carved Ivory, 2021 Lenticular Artwork Transition 48 x 48 in
10
2011
Launches Saladeen Art Group
2014
Included in Art Basel show with Mr. Brainwash in Hollywood, CA Paints Lamborghini Huracan for CEO of Lamborghini
2015
Featured Revolt TV artist during Art Basel
2016
Mural collaboration with renowned street artist Alec Monopoly
2017
Solo show at Eden Fine Art Gallery, NYC Participates in SCOPE Miami Beach with Gallery 38 Commissioned mural for Andaz Initiative, NYC São Paulo Museum of Art acquires artwork Buy Low, Sell High Fashion Forward
2018
Releases the first JP the MoneyBear vinyl collectible at ComplexCon Solo show "A Way Out" at The Compound Gallery, NYC
11
2019
200 foot mural commission for Philadelphia International Airport, PA
2021
Exhibited at Art Miami with West Chelsea Contemporary
king Saladeen American, b.1983
Raheem Saladeen Johnson was born and raised in West Philadelphia, where his passion for the arts began even before the age of 5. Raheem worked as a design artist for a clothing company which later grew into a national success. After the company was sold he began doing work for a group home for teens in Philadelphia. While he was there he created paintings and sketches as a way to relieve stress but it became a light in the dark for the teens and what they had been through as well as their current situations. In 2011 he began his venture at the Saladeen Art Group showcasing art in SOHO NYC, Art Basel Miami Beach, LA ART SHOW and more.
12
King Saladeen Deflated Hoop Dreams, Confident Beyond Basketball, 2021 Mixed Media on Canvas 60 x 60 in
13
King Saladeen Product of My Environment Acrylic, spray paint, mixed media on canvas and resin 72 x 72 x 3 in
14
King Saladeen Bear Season 2.0, 2017 Acrylic, spray paint, mixed media on canvas and resin 48 x 36 x 2 in
15
There’s a sense of joy that permeates throughout my body whenever I begin creating a new piece of art. When you look at my pieces there is an energy that radiates from every brushstroke and defines who I am as an Artist.
— King Saladeen
16
2003
Emigrated to Brooklyn, NY from island nation of Grenada
2015
Solo show Face to Face at Pure House, Brooklyn NY
2016
Participates in Apostrophe NYC's Base 12 pop-up exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art and MoMA PS1, NYC
2017
Featured in group exhibition Desaline at Mana Contemporary, NJ
2018
Solo show In The Eyes of Beauty at Contra Galleries, NYC
2020
Featured in Say it Loud online exhibition organized by Christie's
2021
Featured in Say it Loud: Visionaries of Self, the second edition of an exhibition with Christie's Participates in group show Polychromatic at Blue Gallery, NYC Exhibited at Art Miami with West Chelsea Contemporary
17
THE LOVE CHILD
Caribbean American
The Love Child, born Jay Gittens, is a self taught painter and street artist who describes his vision and expression as Pop Abstraction. Through the efforts of his mother, he emigrated on his own to Brooklyn from the island nation of Grenada in 2003. From there, he quickly turned to figure drawing as a means of creating companionship. He imagined and illustrated worlds on paper that he felt isolated from, drawing on the rich organic colors he was surrounded by in his former Caribbean home. Gittens has since been featured in numerous galleries across New York and the eastern seaboard, in addition to receiving press both domestically and internationally. His works, a mixture of brazen street style, yet intertwined with the depth and earnest emotion of fine art, has garnered him an admiring audience in art, fashion, and design the world over.
18
The Love Child Tree of Life, 2021 Acrylic and gold and silver leaf on canvas 72 x 60 in
19
The Love Child Illusion, 2021 Acrylic on canvas 36 x 36 in
20
2013
Moves to California after life-altering car accident derails his plans to play college baseball
2015
Begins painting for the first time and immediately quits job to paint and sell his work on Venice Beach
2017
Wins mural competition and featured in exhibition with Artist Corner Gallery in Wynwood Walls, Miami
2018
Participates in group show Delineations at Gloria Delson Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
2019
Commissioned to paint 12 pairs of Air Force 1 shoes for Venice Basketball League Exhibited at Market Art and Design fair with Bruce Lurie Gallery
21
2020
Exhibited at Art Palm Springs fair with GUGSA Black Arts Collective
2021
Exhibited at Art Miami with West Chelsea Contemporary
JAZZ American
Stephen Jaskulski, aka Jazz, is a self-taught painter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Now based in Los Angeles California, his work and his life are from his stream of consciousness. By letting his natural process unfold, Jazz analyzes the inner workings of himself and the world around him while allowing the paintings to flow uninterrupted. His highest goal is finding a genuine connection with the viewer and to strike a cord deep in their soul, allowing them to find comfort or a feel a sense of familiarity. Jazz' mediums consist primarily of oil stick, oil paints, acrylics, and spray paint on canvas, wood, and paper.
22
JAZZ Pressure Cooker, 2021 Mixed media on canvas 48 x 48 in
23
JAZZ Portrait on Teal Mixed media on canvas 60 x 48 in
24
JAZZ Soul Spasm Mixed media on canvas 42 x 44 in
25
JAZZ Resistance Training, 2021 Mixed media on canvas 48 x 48 in
26
2001
Takes a photograph while traveling in Paris that inspires evolution of Phoebe
2016
Phoebe is created with a full face for the first time
2018
Exhibited at The Other Art Fair, London
2019
Large-scale art installation at Rag & Bone, NYC Street art collaboration with Victoria Beckham Beauty Featured in the SoHo Village Frieze Week Art Walk
2020
Solo installation inside former Abercrombie Store, NYC
2021
Featured in Vogue Magazine Exhibited at Art Miami with West Chelsea Contemporary Mid-career retrospective My Paper World forthcoming at Horsen Kunstmuseum, Denmark
27
Phoebenewyork American
PhoebeNewYork, an alter ego character for Libby Schoettle, first came to life in collages created with found objects, including vintage photographs, magazine pages, clothing, as well as old books, record covers, and the occasional iconic pop art element. The artist is drawn to materials that have been owned and handled by others, materials that have been touched over time and that will remain intact over time (or not). From the streets of New York City to Philadelphia, Los Angeles, London, and Berlin, Schoettle reveals her own vulnerability, raw emotions, and witty observations through PhoebeNewYork‘s dark and funny explorations into love, feminism, political independence, and finding beauty in the mistaken. Libby and Pheobe have been featured in publications such as New York Magazine’s The Cut and Nylon and have been the subject of fashion collaborations with Victoria Beckham, Dr. Marten’s, and Lululemon, among others. Photo by Luca Babini
28
PhoebeNewYork F_ck Em!, 2017 Mixed media collage 15 x 11 in
PhoebeNewYork Have Fun, 2021 Mixed media collage 17.50 x 17 in
29
PhoebeNewYork Rock It, 2021 Mixed media collage 18.25 x 11 in
PhoebeNewYork A Woman To Watch, 2021 Mixed media collage 22 x 16.25 in
30
PhoebeNewYork What's New, 2021 Fabricated wood with resin
31
PhoebeNewYork I Stole The Idea, 2021 Fabricated wood with resin
32
For more information and pricing, please contact us by phone, email, or at one of our two locations
WEST CHELSEA CONTEMPORARY
NEW YORK CITY - CHELSEA 646.590.0352 231 10th Ave | New York, NY 10011 Hours: Monday – Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday – Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 6pm; Sunday 12 - 6pm
AUSTIN - DOWNTOWN 512.478.4440 1009 West 6th Street #120| Austin, TX 78703 Hours: Monday – Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday – Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 6pm; Sunday 12 - 6pm
wcc.art
sales@wcc.art
wcc.art