BE FNORD. BE VERY FNORD.
Curated by Pasha Rafat, Holly Lay and Homero Hidalgo
Facehugger XX121, 2022
manipulated archival print (still from Alien), 30 x 60 inches
Continuing in a world (mostly) post-pandemic, as well as considering the timeliness of being exhibited during Halloween - such are underpinnings for these latest creations as objects examining energies of "monsters" and emotions of creatures tantalized by humankind's creation. Although the usual sexual and gender explorations exist most evident, additional spice has been added to the mixture that stems from recent readings about Illuminati which includes political motivations for controlling populaces via fear and guilt anxiety (fnord). The tongue-in-cheek works reference popular horror and/or sci-fi movies stemming from more (or less) obscure literature (Mishima, Burroughs, Wilson and Shea, Lovecraft, Stoker) while also relying upon personal dreams, writings and memory for completion.
Conceptual performance: “There’s a Hair in My Safe Space” will be available each day during the week [as] Sheppard continues to establish the exhibition of his works at ASAP. While lighting or continuing to arrange and paint walls – even creating new works onsite – he will simultaneously make himself available in his capacity as Reverend with Universal Life Church Ministries to console and listen to visitors who may be triggered by horrors existing across surfaces of each of his current works on display. Whether the imagery be charged with sex, violence, racial and gender injustices, conspiracy theories, or simply good old fashioned ghost story references, etc. Sheppard has collaborated with ASAP to ensure open dialog while creating a designated safe space. Fear not, please visit any day this week between 1-6pm for infnordal engagement with the artist and his work.
-Aaron Sheppard
Plush Mugwamp-O-Lounger, 2022, Mixed-media, 88 x 44 x 38 inches
Bustelo Beach, 2022, Oil on canvas with coffee cans, 78 x 48 inches
installation
Mugwamp in the Studio, 2022, Ink, watercolor on Arches paper, 24 x 18 inches
Swets: Mishima’s Head; My Own Embarrassment, 2022, Oil, acrylic, charcoal on carved wood and canvas, 90 x 69 x 6 inches
Animus in Fur (Who Lives Down the Lane), 2022, Oil, acrylic, charcoal on collaged cotton bed sheet, 73 x 95 inches
installation
The Flat and Thin Dance (1 of 2), 2022, Acrylic, plaster on plywood, 82 x 67 x 61 inches
installation
installation
Safe Space: Psycho, 2022, Ink, watercolor, crayon, feathers on plywood, 8 x 12 inches
Safe Space: The Shining, 2022, Ink, acrylic, toilet paper on plywood, 8 x 12 inches
Safe Space: Suspiria, 2022, Ink, watercolor on plywood, 8 x 12 inches
Safe Space: Evil Dead, 2022, Ink, watercolor, leaves on plywood, 8 x 12 inches
installation
installation
installation
installation
Tricks and Treatment, 2022, Spray paint on Japanese Americana ceramic doll with loofah and price tag inside wire basket, 8 x 8 x 8 inches
Safe Space: Alien, 2022, Ink, watercolor on plywood, 8 x 12 inches
photos and video by ASAP
Bells of Hells, 2022
Animation by Aaron Sheppard; Audio collage including soundtracks from: Phantasm (Fred Myrow and Malcolm Seagrave), The Exorcist (Mike Oldfield), Halloween (John Carpenter), Suspiria (Goblin), Dead Silence (Charlie Clouser) and Creepshow (John Harrison)
04:52 minutes (loop)