Sweet
Josh Arseneau. “Untitled” watercolor on dress pattern, 13 x 33 inches, 2004.
Stepping into the well-worn shoes of Justin Oswald’s now deceased Gallery 500 space is cosmopolitan curator Eric Kellogg. Tonight he opens the doors to the Sugar Gallery’s First Thursday debut of Josh Arseneau’s painting series, We Are Your Family Now.
Arseneau’s paintings are large in scale and politically provocative in nature. They focus on child soldiers, and curiously enough, the work mixes graphic images with rousing text and even some wit. The artist has previously explored this topic but produced these particular pieces after a recent trip to West Africa.
It is clear Eric wants the Sugar Gallery to shake its predecessor’s notorious party image and exist as a respected player in the Portland art scene. One of his goals is to bring exceptional local art out of the coffee shop and into the gallery setting for more serious contemplation and perhaps some sales. Frankly, many artists I know could handle a little of that.
– Erin Rackelman
Sugar Gallery (420 SW Washington, Suite 500) hosts a reception for Arseneau tonight from 7-9 PM. 503-222-7722. www.sugargallery.org.
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