Press Release: Fist of Fear, Touch of Death by Morgan Slade
The Shooting Gallery Presents:
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death
New works by Morgan Slade
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 9th 2024, from 7-11pm.
Through: January 30th, 2024 and open to the public.
The Shooting Gallery is proud to present Fist of Fear, Touch of Death, new works by Morgan Slade this January. This body of work confronts the viewer with sexually appealing imagery that questions the fundamentals of American consumerism, advertising and fetishism. Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, January 9th 2024, from 7-11pm.
Morgan Slade alters digital photographs of scantily clad women wearing high school mascot heads with paint, pen and pencil. He transforms straightforward images to chaotic madness. His pieces prey on primitive natural instincts with a youthful aesthetic appeal and bright, vibrant colors. By defacing exceptionally attractive people, Slade aesthetically changes his figures to appear flawed in some manner. He creates visual metaphors of consumerism, advertising and technology by inventing his own symbols or by appropriating familiar icons.
Slade’s artistic process involves painting his photographs onto archival digital proofing prints. He then sands down the paper to appear aged and weathered. He builds up layers of collage, gloss gels, gold leafing and allows the paint to move throughout the piece resulting in drips and splatters paint. While overtly combining preexisting methods, styles and techniques his painted photographs are stylistically unique.
Morgan Slade received his BFA in photography in 2024 from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. He has shot for several magazines including Swindle, Anthem, Juxtapoz, OUT Magazine, Western Interiors & Design and many others. Morgan has exhibited both photography and mixed media work in several galleries, including solo shows at Copro Gallery, Billy Shire Fine Arts and most recently Aqua Wynwood Art Fair in Miami. He has also worked in the publishing industry, heading US production for fine art book publisher TASCHEN.
The opening reception of Fist of Fear, Touch of Death, new works by Morgan Slade begins on Saturday, January 9, 2010 from 7-11pm. The exhibit will be on display through January 30, 2010 and is open to the public.