“I am interested in vastness and human navigation of this vastness.”- Joshua Petker

We’re excited to have Joshua Petker come back and show in Shooting Gallery‘s new Project Space. Petker’s show Drunk on the Moon will open March 9 and run until April 6, 2024.

This Is So Contemporary posted this interview with the artist last year. In it Petker discusses how his studies in Florence, the city of art, affected his work, “Living in Florence awoke my passion for making art. It must have been the combination of learning how much I loved making art and being in such a historic and inspirational place that motivated me to pursue a new direction in my life.” Petker describes past inspiration taken from decorative artists of the 19th century, and looking to James Ensor for influence with his show Adrift.

The artist also discusses how he is increasingly venturing into abstraction, and how techniques from traditional graffiti, such as the direct and unmixed application of color, have influenced his work on canvas. Petker strives to explore both ends of the sublime/grotesque dichotomy, and we’re looking forward to seeing how that unfolds in his work for Drunk on the Moon.

View some of Joshua Petker’s previous work after the jump.

Untitled (Blue Face III), 2024, acrylic and ink on canvas, 16×20″

Untitled, 2024, acrylic and ink on canvas, 36×48″

Adrift, 2024, acrylic and ink on canvas, 36 x 48″

Untitled (Waves), 2024, acrylic and ink on canvas, 36×36″