Matthew Mann
Sept. 15 - Oct. 27, 2018
Opening Reception Sat. Sept. 15, 6.30 -- 8.30pm
Twee Brutalism: In Situ brings together paintings, drawings and mixed media works on paper that consider the use of aesthetic and cultural touchstones in the marketplace of urban redevelopment, lifestyle branding, luxury goods and cultural production itself. With bold colors and what the artist describes as “disjointed horizons, incised images, and improbably organized topographies”, Matthew Mann’s positions as an artist and a citizen are visually, intuitively, and delightfully stated.
In this solo show at WAS gallery, one finds an eclectic array of subjects and references that reflect Mann's preoccupations as an artist. Brutalist architecture, 19th century wallpaper, minimalist artworks, commercial photography and punk ephemera are all deployed here, with their uses and intent humorously undermined. By reframing these subjects as appliances, decorations, toys, and confections, Mann not only questions the value society places on aesthetic objects and spaces but also explores the role of art within retail and lifestyle marketing contexts.
WAS gallery
5110 Ridgefield Road
2nd Floor, Bethesda, MD 20816
Hours: Saturdays 2-6pm and by appointment
tel. 202.361.5223