Chris Lipomi
"Monochrome Exhibition:
(Studies for Figure and Ground)"

May 23 - June 22, 2013
Opening Reception Thursday May 23 18:00 - 21:00 h

Blanket / Cologne is pleased to present “Monochrome Exhibition: (Studies for Figure and Ground)”, a solo exhibition by Los Angeles based artist Chris Lipomi. This is the artist first exhibition with the Gallery, and his second in Cologne.

For ‘Monochrome Exhibition: (Studies for Figure and Ground)’, Lipomi presents a series of conceptual paintings that are both monochrome abstract and portraiture. Oscillating between these two painterly traditions, the artist reflects upon his investigations into Figure and Ground: the monochrome part of the painting constitutes ‘Ground’ and the portrait is determined as ‘Figure’, offering a moment where the two collide. Capturing the subtle moment of Figure passing through the Ground, Lipomi allows the viewer’s perception to determine the pacing at which the moment of cognitive realization of both Figure and Ground occurs.

As part of his research, Lipomi has taken training in ‘remote viewing’ and explored the history and methodology of parapsychology, ultimately paying homage to the field with this new body of work. Upon closer inspection of the paintings, the portraits reveal themselves to be elusive faces and figures of scientists, researchers, test subjects, as well as bona fide clairvoyants and 'sensitives’ of parapsychology – who all made (often a life long) effort to connect with and transcend their physical environment and limitations or, in other words, those who have negotiated their figure and ground.

Chris Lipomi was born in 1975 in Miami, Florida and lives in Los Angeles. He was educated at UCLA, Valand Kunstskolan, Goteborg, Sweden, the San Francisco Art Institute, and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Lipomi’s work has been the subject of one-person exhibitions at the Michael Lett, Auckland, New Zealand; Karma International, Zurich, Switzerland; Daniel Hug, Los Angeles and at Luis Campana as part of Koelnshow 2. His work has been included in group exhibitions at the Santa Monica Museum, Santa Monica, CA; Domaine de Chamarande, France; The Seattle Art Museum; Sabine Knust, Munich; and Regen Projects, Los Angeles. Lipomi will be the subject of a solo exhibition at LAXART, Los Angeles in September 2013.