Personal Kingdoms - New Solo Show!

Personal Kingdoms

featuring artwork by Jesse Chapo

May 8th - June 7th, 2009

Opening Reception: Friday, May 8th, 7-10PM

Hibbleton Gallery

112 W. Wilshire Ave [West of Harbor Blvd] Fullerton, CA 92832

Description
Still utilizing a playful menagerie of characters, I wanted to move the focus of my work away from common practices in American society that was on display at my last exhibition at Phyllis Stein Gallery and look closer at personal identity, social interactions and the interrelations of the two. The awkwardness of strangers in tight areas, the constant bickering and fighting that occurs between families and lovers and the unease we often have with our appearance and visual identities are a few of the ideas explored. The majority of these issues mean different things to everybody, but for the most part we are all aware and affected by them. Through this channel I feel viewers will be able to connect with the art and for the it to stand as a self portrait by showing these situations through my perspective. This format has allowed me to reveal myself more, develop my visual scope further and provide a better understanding of my ideas.

alongside the new direction of the ideas was a development in the medium and processed used. My entire last show was white acrylic with paint pens on rectangular wood, it was working, but for this show I really wanted to branch out. Mixed in with work in the older style I've included works on drift wood, paper and circular wood, and created with a wide range of materials. Additionally, I feel that a lot of the characters are starting to look more like they are part of the same world, something I have struggled with in the past.