Two masters of pop surrealism, Lori Earley (left) and Tara McPherson (right,) had amazing openings at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York this weekend. Juxtapoz contributing photographer George Koroneos was in attendance and took some sweet shots of the night. More here…

Two of the most powerful women in the pop surrealism movement took up stakes at Jonathan Levine Gallery this past weekend at the place was smokin'. Tara McPherson and Lori Earley premiered their two-lady show with a selection of work that's just mind-boggling. Tara's show Lost Constellations filled the Levine's main hall with giant oil paintings that feature many of the characters in her rock posters. It's so easy to forget that Tara's talent as an artist lies well beyond the comic style that she is most known for. Many of the guests at Friday night's VIP preview took in a close view of the paintings and commented on how perfect her brush strokes are. Like Shag, her work is so pristine it looks as if it was virtually transferred on to the birch canvases.
Levine's annex offered a different view of McPherson's style. Inside the tiny room three giant fiberglass-resin skull flower statues stand guard, towering over the visitors. Around the perimeter of the room, nine Mr. Wiggles--big-eyed balloons--float amongst a sea of stars. The room is trippy, yet oh so cute.
Back to reality. Lori Earley's exhibit, aptly titled Fade to Gray, features a series of sketch-style graphite studies created for the exhibit. Each work is hung in an ornate white frame against flocked white wallpaper. Peppered throughout the room are a handful of new oil paintings--one model stunningly after artist Angie Mason.
Both Earley and McPherson were on hand at the preview show, mingling amongst other well-known artists including Ron English, Daze, and Mark Ryden. Both signed and sketched for fans as the place filled to the brim with critics, press, and buyers. The show runs until March 22.
For more information visit www.jonathanlevinegallery.com

Words and photos by George Koroneos.

Ron English, Tara McPherson, Mark Ryden

Tara hugs Lori as she walks through the door.

Mr. Wiggles by Tara McPherson

Everyone seems to make out at Jonathan Levine's

Lori Earley and Angie Mason

Close look at Weight of Water Part 2 by Tara McPherson

Leila by Lori Earley

Angie Mason poses next to Angela modeled after herself

Another Mr. Wiggles

Skull Flowers stood watch over the Wiggles

Frozen by Lori Earley

Drained by Lori Earley

Artist Michael Mararian

Tara and her proud father

Artist Molly Crabapple with her artist beau, Fred Harper

Jonathan Levine

Artist Lisa Alisa and Michael Mararian

Artist Eric White and critic Carlo McCormick

Somewhere Under the Rainbow, peach by Tara McPherson

Close look at Lost Constellations by Tara McPherson

Lori with artists David Stoupakis and Aprella

Old school graffiti artist Daze

Gallery girls

Standing in front of a wall of McPherson

Kissing a skull flower

Malena Seldin and Tara

Viewing Lori's Ms. V

The stars of the show

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