True Self, a group exhibition of new works by over 40 artists brought together by special guest curator Gary Baseman, will take over New York’s Jonathan LeVine Gallery starting October 24th, 2009. The theme has been left open to encourage individual interpretation and there are no size or medium restrictions, so that each participating artist has complete creative freedom on the subject at hand.

In the curator’s words:
“In this exhibition, I have invited a group of painters, photographers, and sculptors, to look deep inside themselves and create an image that they feel represents their own passion or obsession. They might imagine themselves as anyone or anything—a wolf, a cupcake, a mermaid, even a skyscraper. I am requesting each artist to create an artwork that represents his or her true self. I am not asking for (nor do I want) a self-portrait. Rather, I’m requesting that the participating artists pick an icon, metaphor, or symbol that they feel represents their true essence. The desired result is a breaking of boundaries to allow a space and time where we can discover, accept, and love our true selves, feeling nirvana and heaven on earth.”

Participating artists include: Adam Wallacavage, Alex Prager, Amor Muñoz, Boris Hoppek, Christian Clayton, Cleon Peterson, Dalek, Dave Cooper, David Sandlin, Deedee Cheriel, Eric White, Esther Pearl Watson, Fons Schiedon, Frieda Gossett, Friends With You, Gary Taxali, Gary Baseman, Gerard Dubois, Gretchen Ryan, James Jean, Jennifer Poon, Jonathon Rosen, Korin Faught, Lauren Bergman, Leah Hayes, Lola, Luke Chueh, Marion Peck, Mark Ryden, Mark Todd, Martha Rich, Mike Shinoda, Miso, Natalia Fabia, Orly Cogan, Ray Caesar, Rob Clayton, Robin VanValkenburgh, Ron English, Ryan Heshka, Ryan Jacob Smith, Shag, Shannon Freshwater, The London Police, Tim Biskup, Travis Lampe, and more to come!


ABOUT THE CURATOR
Gary Baseman is a man of many talents, besides being a pervasive artist and painter, he is also an illustrator, toy designer, and TV/movie producer. His artwork has been exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, Rome, Taipei, Barcelona, and Berlin. He had an installation at the Pasadena Museum of California Art and a two-man show at Laguna Art Museum. Baseman blurs the line between toy culture and fine art with his strong iconic images, which are at once playful and dark, childlike and adult, id-driven and thought provoking. Baseman is also the creator and executive producer of Teacher’s Pet, a critically acclaimed animated series and film, a winner of multiple Emmy awards. Baseman’s artwork can be seen in The New Yorker, TIME, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and on the best selling board game Cranium.


True Self
Guest-curated by Gary Baseman
Group Exhibition featuring over 40 artists
Jonathan Levine Gallery
October 24th—November 21st, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 24th, 7pm—9pm
www.jonathanlevinegallery.com