Here’s a look at the pieces in Under the Rainbow, new works by Ann-Marie Manker. Feel free to contact us at gallery@whitespace814.com with questions and inquiries.
Niagara
Acrylic, graphite, ink, varnish on wood panel
14” x 18” x 2”
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Artist Ann-Marie Manker weaves complex imaginary, psychological narratives throughout her work, as in her recent show — Softcore War – currently on view in the gallery.
For insight into the inspiration behind her paintings, please view the articles below by clicking on the titles. Manker will be speaking in the gallery tonight, September 23rd @ 6:30pm. We hope you can join us!
Ann-Marie-Manker paints bright fantasies of dark times, by Wyatt Williams.
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| Ann-Marie Manker, Swan Song, 2010. acrylic, acryla-gouache, graphite, acrylic ink & varnish on braced wood. 32 x 46 inches. Photo courtesy of the artist. |
Ann-Marie Manker’s work was recently included in the group show, Women to Watch 2010, Body of Work: New Perspectives on Figure Painting at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington, D.C.) Jiha Moon also interviewed Manker for The Studio Visit (09/07/2010).
Exhibit Dates: September 10 – October 9, 2010.
On September 10th, artist Ann-Marie Manker unveiled her recent body of work, Softcore War. Viewers were confronted with intriguing paintings and sculptural installations that revolve around the daydreams of a young female would-be suicide bomber.
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| Whitespace owner Susan Bridges with artist Ann-Marie Manker. |
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| Sunnyside Up sculptural installation: 1981 VW Rabbit car door, fabric, paper latex, sand. |
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| Viewer contemplating Little Voice. |
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| Fire Arms sculptural installation: paper, acrylic, wax, rope, sand, flour. |
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| The Good Food Truck provided delicious bites! |
Whitespace is pleased to present an exhibition by Ann-Marie Manker. The drawings and paintings of Ann-Marie Manker explore psychological narratives through the representation of figurative imagery within fantasy landscapes. Her new body of work, entitled Softcore War, focuses on the daydreams of a young female would-be suicide bomber.
New Works by Ann-Marie Manker
Exhibit Dates: September 10 – October 9, 2010
Conversation with the Artist: September 23 @ 6:30 pm
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| Ann-Marie Manker, “Road Block” graphite, colored lead, acrylic ink, acryla-gouache & acrylic paint 12″ x 16″ x 1″ |
Through suggestive acts or claims of violence, the imagery supposes the loss of childhood innocence and the longing for an idealized afterlife. Manker emasculates the war with her flirtatious subjects and chooses her own symbols for destruction, including ammunition comprised of birthday candles and balloons, masks made of panties, dishcloths or fur and destroyed cars that melt like ice cream cakes in pale pink or turquoise environments.
Softcore War is the coming of age where a sweet 16 turns salty or deadly in a sugarcoated world that remains isolated and disconnected from the true realities of war. Both metaphorically and symbolically, Manker also employs animal imagery of swans and lambs in the dual role of victim and accomplice. She has created this series on braced wood panels ranging from 12″x12″ to 30″x40″ using graphite, colored lead, acrylic ink, acryla-gouache and acrylic paint.
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| Ann-Marie Manker, “Little Voice” graphite, colored lead, acrylic ink, acryla-gouache & acrylic paint 18″ x 14″ x 1″ |
Softcore War will be on view September 10 – October 9, 2010.
“Ann-Marie Manker’s current drawings and paintings explore the conceptual connectivity between a lost piece of artwork Manker created as a child and the exploration of that same theme as an adult. The psychological narrative involves a single female and coupled animals within an organic setting. Elements of love, desire, fantasy and flirtation play out their role in an environment of mid-century inspired nature, design and motifs. The setting for these drawings were derived from a variety of early 1960’s pop culture, including the Southern California neighborhood where Manker grew up, Hong Kong pop YouTube videos, the lyrics from Rebecca Pan’s early 60’s hit “Bengawan Solo” and Disney’s It’s a Small World ride.
The current installation on view at whitespec, brings Manker’s drawings to life in a three-dimensional setting. A fantastical landscape is created with a variety of materials including sculpted and painted foam, cast plastic and plaster gumdrops that are painted and coated in glitter, cut painted paper and fabric. The artist invites the viewers to walk along the river’s pat while engaging in a visual and mental escape as the title Trip for Two suggests.“
River of love, behold
Where the palms are swaying low
And lovers get so enthralled
Bengawan Solo
Nightingales softly singing
In that moment divine
