Exhibition Dates: 5 September – 5 October, 2019
1stdibs Design Center
271 11th Avenue
Lobby 4, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10001
15 September 2019
For Immediate Release:
Gallery 104 is pleased to present Handle with Care, a solo exhibition of thirteen works by New York-based artist and designer Christian Boss. Curated by Gallery 104 Director Beth Hughes, this show brings together acrylic and aerosol painted works that explore interrelated ideas about mass media, the cult of celebrity, and notions of authenticity in the digital age. On one hand, Boss’s meticulous technique of hand-painting portraits of cultural icons that appear to be stenciled is an homage to the Photorealistic practices of Chuck Close, Richard Estes, and Ralph Goings of the 1980s. At the same time, his canvases are heavily informed by the history of graffiti and street culture, as evidenced by his choice of materials and subject matter. Nearly every portrait exhibited contains graphic marks on the surface, which points to aspects of editing and altering appearances—an element crucial to the fashion, film, and entertainment industries more broadly. As such, these bold strokes of color—superimposed on the image—raise questions about authenticity, sincerity, beauty, and artificiality in the age of digital production and dissemination. Overall, there is a certain degree of ambiguity in each artwork, prompting viewers to consider whether the artist is offering a trenchant critique of the contemporary media landscape or elevating personages of popular entertainment culture for emulation.
Installation view of Handle with Care
Handle with Care will remain on view until Saturday, October 5th, with an artist reception taking place on Thursday, September 19th within Gallery 104’s satellite location at the 1stdibs Gallery. Visitors may see works during its run at the 1stdibs Design Center, located at the Terminal Stores in Chelsea, 269 11th Avenue, Lobby 4, 7th Floor. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and on Saturdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. For more information, please call (917) 472-9015 or email info@gallery104.com.
About the Artist
Christian Boss is an emerging cultural producer exploring the legacies of Pop Art, Photorealism, and street art while interrogating discourses on media production, distribution, and consumption primarily through the genre of portraiture. Previous exhibitions have included a show at Gallery 151 in 2018 as part of the OnCanal arts initiative in lower Manhattan. Boss received a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, with concentrations in Art History, Fine Art, and Biology. Before turning attention fully to his art and design practice, Boss was a Sales and Operations Associate at WallPlay, LLC. Today he lives and works in New York.
Website: Christianboss.design
Instagram: @hossman33
About 1stdibs
1stdibs is the world's leading online marketplace for rare and desirable objects. Founded in 2001 to bring the Paris flea markets online, the website today is the go-to source for those who have a passion for the most beautiful things on earth. By bringing together the best furniture, fine art, jewelry, and watch dealers from more than 600 cities around the world, 1stdibs offers an exclusive inventory not available anywhere else online.
About Gallery 104
Founded in 2004, Gallery 104 began in southern California under the leadership of Shane Townley. After 11 years of successfully showcasing the work of several artists through monthly group exhibitions and participating in art fairs, the gallery moved to New York (see Los Angeles Times article). Today, Gallery 104 is overseen by Director Beth Hughes and located on the lower level of the New York Art (NYA) Center in Tribeca. The gallery also manages an exhibition space within the 1stdibs Gallery at the Terminal Stores Building in Chelsea where monthly solo and group shows take place with a select number of artists.
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