DREAM BATTLES

A solo show of new paintings by Zefrey Throwell

Garis and Hahn
263 Bowery
NY, NY 10002

February 28, 2014 - March 29, 2013
Opening reception:
February 28th, 6-9pm

DREAM BATTLES: Audrey Hepburn vs. Oxford English Dictionary (The Battle for Cocktail Conversation)
2014
42 x 36in. (107 x 91cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric

From John Wayne to Joseph Goebbels, Throwell depicts duels between some of the most iconic and infamous symbols of the past century in his latest series of 20 silkscreen and acrylic paintings on fabric. He co-opts the spectacle of the prizefight by pitting opponents of ideological extremes against each other; a philosophical battle that examines the underpinnings of modern society.

DREAM BATTLES: Oscar Wilde vs. John Wayne
2014
32 x 32in. (82 x 82cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric

Conceived after Throwell’s recent visit to Auschwitz/Birkenau, the DREAM BATTLES series came about as a remedy to the artist’s crisis of faith in humanity after witnessing the indescribable horror and sinister history of the Holocaust. Especially unnerving for him was the idea that, while the Nazis were defeated, their violent and domineering tactics can still be found in a new, more clandestine modern fascism. Throwell has invented an alternative framework to consider the undercurrents of contemporary totalitarianism by creating ideological face-offs.

DREAM BATTLES: Genesis Breyer P-Orridge vs. Emily Post (The Battle for the Dinner Table)
2014
24 x 30in. (64 x 76cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric

Inspired by the penetrating humor and iconoclastic chaos of Woody Allen movies, Throwell depicts unconventional pairings that resonate with a deeper conflict. In paintings such as: “Oscar Wilde vs. John Wayne,” “Woody Allen vs. The Nazis: Annie Hall - Himmler,” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show vs. Goldman Sachs,” the outcome of the fights is based on qualifiers such as: What is this person/thing/movement known for? What did they actually do? Did they enlighten or diminish human compassion and understanding? And, were they honestly funny?

DREAM BATTLES: Up vs. Down (Meth vs. Heroin)
2014
24 x 36in. (61 x 91cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric

With the score tallied at the bottom of the paintings, the viewer is given an immediate read on the contributions of the figurative fighters, and prompted to more broadly consider how we are progressing or regressing in society. In this way, Throwell is engaged in a battle for hearts and minds, subverting the ‘necessary evils’ and good intentions that pave the path to hell with an alternative strategy utilizing wit, humor and aesthetics to deflect the violence, small mindedness and insecurity of contemporary fascism.

DREAM BATTLES: The Pope vs. Pasolini (La battaglia per I’Italia)
2014
48 x 48in. (122 x 122cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Nuclear Power Plants vs. Handguns
2014
24 x 30in. (64 x 76cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: You vs. Your Parents (Acceptance vs. Denial)
2014
72 x 72in. (183 x 183cm.)
mirrors, silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Now vs. Then (Twerking vs. Mark E. Smith)
2014
27 x 30in. (69 x 76cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Us vs. Them (Health Care vs. The Pentagon)
2014
30 x 27in. (76 x 69cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Technology vs. Therapy (iPhone vs. Freud’s Couch)
2014
40 x 30in. (102 x 76cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: The Rocky Horror Picture Show vs. Goldman Sachs
2014
32 x 32in. (82 x 82 cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Together vs. Alone
2014
26 x 26in. (66 x 66cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Ike Turner vs. Klaus Biesenbach
2014
36 x 36in. (91 x 91cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Woody Allen vs. the Nazis: Stardust - Goering
2013
48 x 48 in. (122 x 122 cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Woody Allen vs. the Nazis: Jazzman - Goebbels
2013
23 x 33.5 in . (60 x 85 cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Woody Allen vs. the Nazis: Annie Hall - Himmler
2013
23 x 33.5 in. (60 x 85 cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Woody Allen vs. the Nazis: Groucho - Hitler
2013
32 x 32 in. (81 x 81cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Steve McQueen vs. James Cameron
2014
23.5 x 32in. (60 x 81 cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Terry Gross vs. Kim Kardashian
2014
23.5 x 32in. (60 x 81 cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: New Born Child vs. OPEC
2014
32in x 24in. (81 x 61cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Used Car Dealership vs. Art Auction House #1
2014
30 x 28in. (73 x 72cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Used Car Dealership vs. Art Auction House #2
2014
48 x 36in. (122 x 91cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric





DREAM BATTLES: Drugs Here vs. Drugs There (Lindsay Lohan in court vs. Iranian Drug Execution)
2014
48 x 36in. (122 x 91cm.)
silkscreen, acrylic and enamel paint on fabric









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