Alex Paulus
Trophy Life
September 15 - October 13, 2018
OPENING: Saturday, September 15, 7-10pm
Ro2 Art
1501 S. Ervay Street, Dallas TX 75215
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September 15 - October 13, 2018
Ro2 Art, Dallas, TX |
Ro2 Art is proud to present Alexander Paulus’ solo exhibition Trophy Life. Paulus produces farcical and hilarious subjects cut with a deranged edge. With humor incorporated into the anatomy of his work reflected by a creeping gloom, we’re presented with scenes riddled with juxtapositions such as a serene landscape becoming the setting for a dead body. It’s dichotomies such as these that make Paulus’ work so absorbing and inapt to dismiss as simply ironic with their artful impingement on the psyche. A world of absurdity cast in rainbows, Paulus describes his manic color choices as making his ludacris themes more palatable to the viewer. Simultaneously, the bright colors of his work are not meant to be a distraction from the subjects, but rather a gateway to bring attention to the berserk narratives he suggests and compels the viewer to ask: “Why would someone make a piece of art about this?” With its rudimentary execution, and sardonic wit, Trophy Life is for those who can laugh when things go from bad to worse.
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ABOUT THE ARTIST
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Alex Paulus is originally from southeast Missouri, but has been a resident of Memphis, TN since 2007. He received his MFA in 2009 from the Memphis College of Art and is now an Assistant Professor at Southwest Tennessee Community College. Paulus’s work has been shown in numerous galleries in Memphis, Nashville, Dallas, St. Louis, London and many others. His work has also been published in Studio Visit magazine, Beautiful/Decay, It’s Nice That, Osso Magazine, and Glasstire. He will also be featured in the South 2017 edition of New American Paintings.
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ARTIST STATEMENT
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The things that inspire me are the absurd people and events I encounter on a daily basis. I'm basically holding up a fun-house mirror to the insanity/stupidity that I see. But I have to laugh at these things; otherwise it would be extremely depressing.
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