A raucous and rollicking journey through the wild frontiers of Pop culture “Wasteland’, is the exhibition of new works from Australia’s leading Pop artist, Johnny Romeo.
Opening at Mitchell Fine Art on September 23rd this exhibition offers a fresh new spin on Romeo’s signature brand of bombastic Neo-Expressionist Pop.
Blending elements of painting, sculpture and strip-mall signage to transform the sun-scorched desert of the Western frontier into a lawless, neon, wasteland of sharpshooters and punk rock rogues. ‘Wasteland’ channels the acid-drenched visions of US author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson.
The series is an adrenaline-sugar rush of psychedelic acid-drenched hues and graphic gusto that sees Australia’s King of Pop kick down the bar-door of the Pop establishment with his most ambitious and brazen exhibition yet.
“With WASTELAND, I wanted to approach my art practice with the same unpredictability and hell-or-high water attitude as the cowboys and mavericks on my canvases”, says Romeo. “I’ve always been attracted to the imagery and energy of country Western movies – not just the cowboys, barroom brawls and lawlessness, but also the pioneering spirit and the desire to forge new worlds”.
Part street artist, part graffiti artist, part pop artist, Johnny’s roots are intrinsically linked to the street art scene of Sydney’s inner west in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Johnny uses the genre of pop art to make bold claims and assertions about history and consequently about both our present and our future. Considered one of Australia’s most exciting young talents Johnny’s work is fast becoming highly collectable.
OPENING NIGHT: Friday 23rd September, 6 – 8pm
ARTIST TALK: Saturday 24th September, 2pm
Mitchell Fine Art is located at 86 Arthur St, Fortitude Valley. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 10am – 5.30pm and Saturday 10am – 5pm.
Image: Risky Ruff, 2016, acrylic and oil on canvas, 120cm x 120cm.
