September 16, 2009
Opening Friday, October 2, 2009, a new collection of oils on velvet by the award-winning filmmaker, graphic novelist and visual artist Arnold Pander will be presented by Mark Woolley at the Aalto Lounge at 33rd and SE Belmont. The public is invited to attend the event, scheduled for 6 pm – 10 pm.
The month-long exhibit, called “Gods & Mortals,” captures Pander’s satirical signature style in his latest series of pop culture iconography embracing such contemporary deities and iconoclasts as Michael Jackson and Barack Obama. Previous series have focused on South Pacific tiki gods, classic glamour pin-ups, bungalows, retro, and modern.
Pander’s velvet paintings have appeared in Detour Magazine and the film, “Feast of Love,” as well as hung at the Standard Hotel on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles. Many are also on permanent view at such Portland venues as Thatch, Dots, Dante’s, the Gypsy Lounge, Mother’s Bistro and the Morrison Hotel.
His fascination with the medium began in 1992, while art directing music videos. An admirer of the work of such masters as Edgar Leeteg, considered to be the father of American velvet painting, Pander particularly appreciates how “velvet painting exists in its own realm reserved for subjects that are romanticized, memorialized or worshiped.”
While largely ignored by the mainstream art world, velvet painting dates back to at least the 14th century, when Marco Polo found samples of velvet paintings in Kashmir where velvet was first woven. During the Victorian era, painting on velvet became a popular hobby among the upper class, led by English artist Francis Town, who depicted floras and other still life subjects. It later came to the U.S. during the post revolutionary period, typically featuring biblical scenes and landscapes. The medium was revolutionized by Edward Leeteg in the 20th century with his figurative ‘Pin-Up’ style of Tahitian native culture in the 1930s to 1950s.
For more information: www.ArnoldPanderVelvets.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lyla Foggia
Foggia Public Relations LLC
(5030 622-0232
lyla@foggiapr.com
Arnold Pander
(323) 459-5211
arnoldpander@comcast.net
