John Tsombikos: BORF Show - Lazarides Gallery
Exhibition preview
LAZARIDES Gallery is presenting an exhibition of work by American artist John Tsombikos entitled BORF Show – from November 29 to December 21, 2013.
Tsombikos, more popularly known as BORF, came to the world’s attention for his high profile graffiti campaign dedicated to his late friend and suicide victim, Bobby L Fisher. BORF Show marks a new phase of this cathartic project and his inaugural exhibition penned under his birth name.
For his London solo debut, Tsombikos explores the work of 20th century masters of Abstract Expressionism, reinterpreting their concepts into his own language in a commentary both on the Contemporary Art scene as well as his own personal experience growing up in today’s society.
Similar to his Rothko’s Modern Life series that gained him international recognition, this new body of work continues his appropriation of abstract styles of sculpture and painting inspired by the work of Lucio Fontana, Christopher Wool, Clifford Still, Mark Rothko, Brice Marden, Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell and Adolph Gottlieb.
This new body of work, which playfully include such tributes as ‘Fontana of Youth’ and ‘The Brice is Right’, is both a harmonious and hostile connection to the established order and art history.
Themes of authority, control and power feature heavily within his work commenting upon political and social frictions as well as personal issues.
Tsombikos has a tongue in cheek way of approaching his subject matter that breaks down barriers between the themes he explores. Employing primitive mark-making techniques, media and materials of vandals such as acid etching, carved commuter train seat backs and the more traditional spraypaint on canvas, Tsombikos seamlessly integrates materials from his urban surroundings in his homage to these Contemporary giants.
BORF Show presents a new subtle and complex selection of works that reinvents abstract art challenging his audience to look at what is traditionally the tool of a vandal in a different light.
Admission: Free.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm.
Lazarides Rathbone, 11 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1HR
Tel: + 44 (0)207 636 5443
Website: www.lazinc.com/