As we previously announced last Friday, Eighteen Gallery in Copenhagen introduced their debut solo show with Barry McGee. As the newest project of V1 Gallery, where Barry has exhibited and curated a couple of times, this fairly new exhibition space was a perfect size and shape for a complete take-over by the legendary Twist.
Little Savage might be one of the most elaborate and extensive shows that the famed San Francisco-based artist has ever installed in the Danish capital. Arriving at the gallery only a few days before the opening, straight after his recent Bellport show, McGee and his team worked day and night to convert an endless stack of works into an overwhelming art installation. With pieces hanging right on the floor, in the corners, and above the doorways, all the way up by the ceiling, the show presented the artist's unparalleled approach to both creating and showcasing his work.
Influenced by the roughness of deteriorating urban space, the romantic feel of folk art, as well as the honesty of DIY/graffiti/punk culture, he applies his imagery to everything from old sheets of paper to broken ceramic pots picked up on the side of the street. The showcase includes all his signature types of work, such as a large bottle installation, a number of larger works on wood panels, works on paper, photographs or screenprints, hypnotic geo patterns, vases, plates, and various sculptural objects scattered in between, as well as a glass table filled with drawings, zines, stickers, and other McGee memorabilia.
The center point of the show opening night was the musical performance by Bradford, an SF-based based musician who performed his diverse spectrum of tunes ranging from emotive, folk-inspired songs on a guitar, to fully improvised electronic tracks created on the spot.
Photos and text provided by Sasha Bogojev