Rachell Sumpter :: SeaHorses Unite
Receptions: Friday, September 9 from 5-8pm & Saturday,
September 10 from 7-10pm
Show runs: September 3 – October 1, 2005
 For
sixspace's inaugural exhibition in our new Culver City space,
we are proud to present Seahorses Unite, the first
solo show by Los Angeles artist Rachell Sumpter. Employing
a sublime palette and meticulous line quality in this new
series of works on paper, Sumpter depicts weapon-wielding
humans and other mysterious creatures exploring their private
underwater universe.
Rachell Sumpter investigates inherent ironies in our society
and the duality of the human condition. In her paintings,
she projects how these two aspects of life manifest into relationships
both within ourselves and each other. Seahorses Unite
represents how personal experiences, particularly relationships,
are translations of how we deal with larger issues. Each work
in this new series depicts metaphors for life experiences.
And though the overarching theme of the exhibition is war,
which is used as a vehicle to detail personal epiphanies,
there are no shown battles or blood. Congruent with her continued
interest in constructing a metaphorical narrative of reality,
Sumpter has created forces that exhibit what she deems "intricate
posturing to validate and establish their own existence."
Throughout her work, Sumpter employs both conventional and
surreal archetypes to explore the humorous ironies resulting
from a disjointed relationship between implied cultural norms
and reality. Inspired by accepted popular dogmas, ethics,
history, and their inherently ephemeral qualities, she shows
the focused dialogue between her delicately painted subjects
and the benign irreverent universe they have created.
A native Californian, Rachell Sumpter studied at the Amerian
Academy in Italy before receiving her BFA from the ArtCenter
College of Design in Pasadena, CA in 2003. Exposure to her
grandmother's illustrations of children's books led to an
early understanding of art, design, and the desire to create
poignant visual narratives. Sumpter has held exhibitions in
Portland, Bristol (United Kingdom), New York, Philadelphia,
San Francisco, the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts in
Michigan, and Los Angeles including a group installation project
at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Her work has been
featured in publications such as How Books, The Drama,
Portland Mercury, and the recently released McSweeney’s
book “Dear New Girl.”
*If you are interested in being placed on the preview/wait
list for artwork by Rachell Sumpter, please contact the gallery.
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