MITCHELL SPAIN

Untied States

Ryan Thomas Monahan, Dylan Martinez, Joe Suzuki and Mitchell Spain
November 10th – December 13th 2018
Main Gallery

Our final exhibit of the year “Fake Views” features four artists working with very different materials towards a mutual goal of using sculptures to deceive the viewer. We have entered into an era of “fake” news and “deep fake” videos among other “deceptive” forms of media being used to intentionally confuse and persuade viewers. In art terms the concept of purposefully deceiving the viewer goes back to Greek and Roman periods and in a twist of irony, the French phrase “Trompe l’oeil” for “Deceive the eye” is used to describe the concept/technique. In a nod to the absurdity of it all we are presenting works that provide a momentary spell of bemusement and nostalgia without all the idiocy 😉

If you follow Ryan Thomas Monahan on Instagram (@what_thehell) you quickly realize he spends the majority of his day messing with your head as he unveils snippets of his creative process. He tells you what he plans to make but he rarely reveals his sources on how or out of what. It may be a very small object or it may be something larger than life but each and every time it’s entirely fake. When viewed on a phone you can’t tell if it is fake though, that is until you see a finger poking through a window or a hand holding a match stick like a baseball bat. His attention to detail has no bounds, all possible aspects of every piece are fully considered. For this exhibit Ryan created a series of “gate” works that hang on the wall without glass allowing you to get very close to examine all the graffiti, rust and grimey details. Speaking of grimey, a stand alone work titled “Lincoln Hall” captures all of the nastiest details of a broken down concert venue bathroom inside of a space the size of a shoebox – including a battery powered overhead light for ambiance. We have been working with Ryan for several years and it has been exciting to see him grow as an artist:

“This show is exciting for me, I really wanted to unveil this new body of work in a gallery setting as it was born from the idea of a gallery viewing. Presenting the artwork in a more fine art presentation without glass really helps the artwork standout when on display. Aside from doing new fragment style artwork framed without glass I dived into more play with scale. I chose the matchbook to enlarge because they have so much character, The cover art, the wear and tear all of it gives the matchbooks a narrative. I am excited to explore both of these new bodies of work in 2019.”

Joe Suzuki creates a wide range of art inspired by pop culture and art history. This exhibit includes a series of sculptures created out of canvas and three sculptures from his very popular “Happy Accident” series. Much like paper, canvas can be folded and glued to very closely replicate the appearance of paper objects. Joe has perfected this process in the form of popular “paper” bags, cups and origami featuring luxury brand logos.

“I consider my work to be artifacts of my own particular culture, which is not the generalized Japanese American culture, but that which formed as a direct result of being a first generation immigrant. Through a long assimilation process, I found myself not fully belonging to either culture, but rather somewhere in between, which I began to call Japamerica.” – Joe Suzuki

Joe’s most popular body of work is his “Happy Accident” series which features paint being paused in time while being poured onto sculptures. in particular, popular sculptural works by Jeff Koons – This exhibit features 3 “accidental” spills over metallic “balloon” animals including two versions of dogs and a golden bunny.

Dylan Martinez works primarily with glass. For this exhibit we have a handful of his beautiful and gravity defying “H20Si02” (Water & Quartz) water bag sculptures and three pieces from his “Corrective Lens” series of vintage binoculars that have been retrofitted with altered lenses to transform the viewing experience. In both series of works Dylan captures and recreates the nostalgia and wonderment of everyday objects using glass blowing techniques going back thousands of years.

“What I enjoy most about “tricking” the viewer is the moment they start to doubt their initial belief that the object is what they thought. Often a playful smirk will arise as they begin to really investigate the artwork differently. The “Corrective Lens” series plays with the idea that much of our perception comes from our past, both the forward leaps from generations past and the learned falsehoods that restrict us. Reconciliation of the past affects how we look to the future.” – Dylan Martinez

Mitchell Spain works with clay to create beautiful functional and non-functional sculptures. For this exhibit he sent two insanely realistic looking “shot up” rusted cans made entirely with ceramic and glaze. He also creates ceramic flasks that appear to be heavily “rusted” and inoperable. In reality, these pieces are fully functional and ready to be filled with your favorite liquor! Additionally he sent a handful of mugs featuring vintage beer labels with can opener handles and a trio of oil filter mugs with wrench handles that look and feel VERY real – All ready to be used daily as part of your functional art collection.

Growing up on the family farm south of Des Moines, Iowa, Mitchell Spain spent much of his childhood rummaging through “junk” left in old barns. Today, he is an accomplished artist crafting high-quality ceramic works using a trompe l’oeil technique that mimics these rustic findings.
Creating new uses for old things, practicing environmental friendliness, and designing sweet stuff for you all is his jam.

Mitchell Spain Ceramic "Rusted Can" I
Media: Ceramic and glaze
Size: 5 x 3 x 3 Inches
Price: $295
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain Ceramic "Rusted Can" II
Media: Ceramic and glaze
Size: 4.5 x 5 x 3 Inches
Price: $295
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain - Oil Filter Mug "Fram" II
Media: Porcelain
Size: 4.5 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a used oil filter - The handle looks like an oil filter wrench - These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain - Oil Filter Mug "K&N" II
Media: Porcelain
Size: 4.5 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a used oil filter - The handle looks like an oil filter wrench - These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain - Oil Filter Mug "Valvoline"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 4.5 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a used oil filter - The handle looks like an oil filter wrench - These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain - Rusty Flask I
Media: Porcelain with glaze
Size: 5 x 4 x 1.5 Inches
Notes: This is a fully functional flask, the lid screws off, hand wash only
Price: $125
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain - Rusty Flask II
Media: Porcelain with glaze
Size: 5 x 4 x 1.5 Inches
Notes: This is a fully functional flask, the lid screws off, hand wash only
Price: $125
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain - Beer Can Mug "Big Cat"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.75 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a rusty beer can. The handle is a ceramic can opener - Do not use to open cans! Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain - Beer Can Mug "Fox" II
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.75 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a rusty beer can. The handle is a ceramic can opener - Do not use to open cans! Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Mitchell Spain - Root Beer Can Mug "Super Coola"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.75 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a rusty beer can. The handle is a ceramic can opener - Do not use to open cans! Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Beer Can Mug "Iron City"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.75 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a rusty beer can. The handle is a ceramic can opener - Do not use to open cans! Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Beer Can Mug "Fox"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.75 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a rusty beer can. The handle is a ceramic can opener - Do not use to open cans! Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Beer Can Mug "Great American Beer"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.75 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a rusty beer can. The handle is a ceramic can opener - Do not use to open cans! Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Gold Insect Flask "Standard"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.5 x 5.25 x 1 Inches
Notes: This porcelain flask is made to look like a rusty oil can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Limited Edition - Fewer than 15 will be made - Each unique
Price: $205
Availability: SOLD
Gold Insect Flask "All-Nu"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.25 x 6 x 1 Inches
Notes: This porcelain flask is made to look like a rusty oil can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Limited Edition - Fewer than 15 will be made - Each unique
Price: $205
Availability: SOLD
Oval Flask "Red Top"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 5 x 3 x 1 Inches
Notes: This porcelain flask is made to look like a rusty oil can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $145
Availability: SOLD
Oval Flask "Wedgewood"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 5 x 3 x 1 Inches
Notes: This porcelain flask is made to look like a rusty tobacco can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $145
Availability: SOLD
Oval Flask "Standard"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 5 x 3 x 1 Inches
Notes: This porcelain flask is made to look like a rusty oil can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $145
Availability: SOLD
Large Hip Flask "Dinolene"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.25 x 5 x 1 Inches
Notes: This porcelain flask is made to look like a rusty oil can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $185
Availability: SOLD
Large Hip Flask "Texaco"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.25 x 5 x 1 Inches
Notes: This porcelain flask is made to look like a rusty oil can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $185
Availability: SOLD
Offset Flask "Sunoco"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3.25 x 6 x 1 Inches
Notes: This porcelain flask is made to look like a rusty oil can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $185
Availability: SOLD
Oil Filter Mug "Fram"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 4.5 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a used oil filter - The handle looks like an oil filter wrench - These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Oil Filter Mug "K&N"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 4.5 x 5 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain mug is made to look like a used oil filter - The handle looks like an oil filter wrench - These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Tumbler "Red Giant"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3 x 6 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain Tumbler is made to look like a rusty beer can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Tumbler "Schlitz"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3 x 6 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain Tumbler is made to look like a rusty beer can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Tumbler "Big Tex"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 3 x 6 x 3 Inches
Notes: This porcelain Tumbler is made to look like a rusty beer can. Each piece gets its own individual touch and therefore no two are the same. These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $85
Availability: SOLD
Salt & Pepper Shakers "Durkee's"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 1.5 x 3 x 1.5 Inches
Notes: These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $125
Availability: SOLD
Salt & Pepper Shakers "Ann Page"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 1.5 x 3 x 1.5 Inches
Notes: These are fully functional and dishwasher safe.
Price: $125
Availability: SOLD
Energy Shot "Energizer"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 2.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 Inches
Notes: Porcelain "Battery" Shot glasses - Dishwasher safe
Price: $25
Availability: SOLD
Energy Shot "Philco"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 2.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 Inches
Notes: Porcelain "Battery" Shot glasses - Dishwasher safe
Price: $25
Availability: SOLD
Energy Shot "Winchester"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 2.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 Inches
Notes: Porcelain "Battery" Shot glasses - Dishwasher safe
Price: $25
Availability: SOLD
Energy Shot "Ray O Vac"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 2.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 Inches
Notes: Porcelain "Battery" Shot glasses - Dishwasher safe
Price: $25
Availability: SOLD
Energy Shot "Burgess"
Media: Porcelain
Size: 2.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 Inches
Notes: Porcelain "Battery" Shot glasses - Dishwasher safe
Price: $25
Availability: SOLD