“2011 017 Untitled”, 2011 Ink, Acrylic, Gouache and Silk Screen on Commercially Produced Poster 20.5” x 37.75”
The Guerrero Gallery is currently showing some spellbinding new mixed-media works by Alex Lukas. Working on top of paper, the Philadelphia-based artist explores the fragility of modern society by depicting overgrown skyscrapers, submerged metropolises, and ruined cities. Using ink, acrylic, watercolor, gouache and silk screen, Lukas paints a futuristic view of contemporary society, abandoned by the humans who built it.
Playing upon the tradition of landscape painting in America where the land is a place of discovery, purity and optimism, Lukas creates landscapes which superficially resemble the romanticized landscapes of the past but instead feature dying foliage, spray painted messages on crumbling concrete walls and torn abstract murals. Lukas also appropriates photographic images of urban areas from commercial posters and vintage publications. Originally meant to idealize America and American ingenuity, Lukas uses them to provoke questions about reality vs. mythology and the past vs. the future.
One particularly eye-popping piece is the large panoramic painting that can be viewed in almost 360 degrees (see the last image in this post).
The works of Alex Lukas will be shown at the Guerrero Gallery through October 08, 2011.
“2011 010 Untitled”, Acrylic and Silk Screen on Book Page, 10.625in x 12in, 2011
“2011 020 Untitled”, 2011 Ink, Acrylic and Gouache Silk Screen on Commercially Produced Poster 20.75” x 31″
“2011 015 Untitled”, Acrylic and Silk Screen on Book Page, 9.125in x 11.75in, 2011
“2011 023 Untitled”, 2011 Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache and Silk Screen on Paper 25” x 72”
Installation View at the Guerrero Gallery, 2011
*Photos from the Guerrero Gallery.
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