Strange things happen in art. Not too long ago, one of the stranger things happened to me. Allow me to explain...
I got an email a couple of months ago from a name I knew I recognized. The subject line stated, "Exhibition Opportunity." I couldn't quite place the name even though I knew it was familiar. Anyway, I opened the email and found that I was being asked to participate in a group show in Brooklyn. I was ecstatic until I realized what the show was. The show is titled, "The Matthew Barney Show," and it is being held at Jack the Pelican Presents. It's intended to be an homage of sorts of Barney, of whom's work I'm not a huge fan (though I am excited about the show now). The curator is Eric Doeringer, the artist who not long ago got in trouble on Chelsea streets for selling small copies of big-name-artists' work.
For those who are long time readers, you'll recall I posted about my poor attempt at drawing. In a 3 week period I dedicated myself to drawing portraits. Quickly I became frustrated and gave it up. Though I think they are pretty bad, I posted them here on this blog for kicks.
One of the drawings I did was of Matthew Barney dressed as a character from one of the Cremaster movies. Somehow, through the power of the net, an owner of a Barney fan site found my image and asked if he could post it. I thought, why not? That was 2+ years ago. From that site, Doeringer found the drawing and asked to include it in the Barney show he was curating.
At first I was very hesitant about including it in the show. It'll be a very well attended show (it coincides with a major Barney solo show at Barbara Gladstone) and I didn't know if I wanted people to see the drawing and associate it with me (I don't draw like that any more... I drill holes in wood and draw circles!). After getting some great advice from some buddies, I decided to give it a go. Why not? It'll be a fun show, a well-attended show, and who knows, I might sell the drawing (priced cheap, by the way).
Even better is that I will be able to attend the opening on Saturday, April 1, since I'll be in NYC. If any New Yorkers out there want to come by, I'd love to meet you.
You want to see this drawing, don't you? Here it is:
Barney
Charcoal on paper
8.5" x 11"
2003
The moral of the story is, why the heck not?
Good for you man - just be sure to bring packets of your current work with you!
Posted by: wwc | Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 12:17 PM
A cool drawing, I like it a lot.
Posted by: hans | Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 01:48 PM
Thanks Hans!
W - Yep, I will be taking images of my "real" work. Should be fun!
Posted by: J.T. Kirkland | Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 02:00 PM
If I can make out the date on the drawing correctly, you made it on my birthday...that is, if the date is August 29. And, to be fair, it's not just MY birthday, I share it with Michael Jackson.
Posted by: Douglas Witmer | Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Forget pricing it cheap! If the date of creation is the same as Witmer's and Jackson's birthdays, the price must be tripled immediately!
Posted by: J.T. Kirkland | Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Actually, JT, I think Witmer's birthday brings the value up significantly, but then Jackson's birthday brings it right back down again.
Posted by: AAS | Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 12:23 PM