ALexander revier: creatures, thoughts, and travel
September 11 - October 9, 2021
Press Release
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Ro2 Art is proud to present CREATURES, THOUGHTS AND TRAVEL featuring new paintings by Dallas based artist Alexander Revier. The show will run from September 11, through October 9, 2021 and will open with a reception that evening at Ro2 Art in The Cedars, located at 1501 S. Ervay St, Dallas, TX, 75215 from 7 to 10 PM.
Alexander Revier applies surrealism, irony, and a cartoonish glee to reveal the dark truths inherent in a late-capitalist reality. In this newest body of work, the artist reflects on a personal voyage to the Pacific North West amidst the historic travel restrictions caused by 9/11 and the recent challenges to movement during a pandemic. Revier is known for his gift to reveal paradox in a way that makes the viewer smile. This knack for humor was something the quarantine robbed him of. In response to this change, the artist decided to up-end his life in a quest find clarity through travelling on his own from Texas to Washington, state. The artist collected experiences camping along the way, until arriving in the forests of Olympia, where friends awaited his arrival. There, in the freedom of nature and community, Revier was able to rediscover joy in the face of absurdity. Joseph Campbell described mythic characters that populate the hero-quest as an adventure filled with tricksters, shapeshifters and allies. Elements of these beings appear amidst psychedelic landscapes and rainbow gradients. Being able to still conjure optimism in form, texture and pigment is the magical elixir regained in this hero’s journey. |
artist statement
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“The overall theme of this exhibition is greatly influenced by several large life changes post vaccinated world. I resigned from my position as Assistant Director at Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas, packed up all my art supplies in my car, and drove for 8 days, camping in between all the way up to Olympia Washington. I chose Olympia because several of my close friends live here, and the weather and nature is beautiful in the summer. I wanted to get back to a sense of community and deeply rooted friendship to address some concerns I had in regards to my creative process.
“During the pandemic, I found it difficult to make more than geometric pieces on paper, such as painting cargo ships. Generally, my work is more humorous, and I’ve been striving to get back to this playfulness. Traveling alone allowed my mind to rest and be with itself. The more time that goes on post covid-19 lockdown, the more I realize how big of a scar it has left for so many people, including myself. “When I heard the news that my first solo exhibition at Ro2 gallery would be on September 11, the 20th anniversary, I started making connections between that historical event and the pandemic. 9/11 forever changed the way we live and travel. I have been referencing 9/11 in my art since the day it happened when I was 11 years old. It was a landmark historical event that no one had control over, and ultimately changed everything moving forward. The covid-19 pandemic is similar for many people in terms of how it has affected the world in every aspect. Even as we hope that we are through the worst of the pandemic, the United States has now pulled our troops out of Afghanistan and the Taliban has seized control of the country. “So how do I make art after this? What do I have to say? I had the privilege to leave everything for the summer to explore these questions as well as to learn about myself and be in a new environment. This body of work is purely about me learning how to make art again, travel, color, and revisiting past narratives in my work. Creatures, Thoughts, and Travel. It is my hope that the answers I am working towards in this work allow others without the same privilege to discover answers of their own as they navigate a world that has changed without their consent.” |
about the artist
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Raised in diverse Irving, Texas, Alex Revier graduated the University of North Texas in 2013 with a degree in Visual Arts New Media, and continues to work in Denton, TX. Previous to his degree Revier was chosen to be a part of the Teen Artist Project through The Modern of Fort Worth, which launched his participation in the arts community. He has since been exploring a variation of experiential performance styles, ranging from music based intermediate collaborations, magic, and short, solo, durational pieces. Revier also gives time to drawing, painting, and installation, which goes hand in hand with the performances.
The most consistent theme in Revier’s work currently and in the past is humor and irony. The quote "Humor is the enemy of authority" is driving inspiration in a majority of the works, whether painting or performance. Currently Revier is working on applying to graduate level art programs in the United States. |
