Brian Calvin In Conversation and Book Launch

About

WORK is pleased to invite you to a conversation between Brian Calvin and Christoph Gerozissis of Anton Kern Gallery, New York, followed by a book launch for Brian Calvin, the first monograph on the Californian painter's practice. Something of a celebration of slackerdom, Brian Calvin's disarmingly low-key paintings explore a world populated with androgynous bohemians, skinnies in groups and trippy teenage characters, coolly detached and aimlessly gazing out from a sundrenched Southern Californian backdrop. His idiosyncratic paintings capture the decadent melancholy and malaise of modern Californian living, whilst also revealing the artist's keen powers of observation, rigorous approach to his craft and attention to the formal dimensions of his medium. Calvin's highly stylised figures, flattened pallet and skewed cropping have earned him comparison with Alex Katz and David Hockney, whom he appears to be at once emulating and parodying, while simultaneously referencing music and pop-culture icons. Black Dog Publishing is pleased to announce the publication of Calvin's first monograph, Brian Calvin, a lavishly illustrated survey featuring contributions from Anton Kern, Sarah Lehrer-Graiwer, Bruce Hainley and Alison M Gingeras. To celebrate the launch, Brian Calvin will be in conversation with Christoph Gerozissis, Senior Director of Anton Kern Gallery, from 6.30pm; the discussion will be followed by a drinks reception and signing. The publication will be available at the special price of £15 (RRP £19.95) from PAPERWORK Bookshop throughout the evening. WORK is an independent gallery and event space that presents a varied interdisciplinary programme collaborating closely with innovators in the fields of architecture, art and design.