Our latest group exhibition “Minds Taking Flight” featuring the work of Gary Panter, Keegan McHargue, and James Ulmer is open at The Pit LA. This exhibition pairs legendary comic artist Gary Panter with two artists of a younger generation who have been inspired by his work. The group show explores the connections between their distinct creative visions. This exhibition draws a connection between an artistic legend who has shaped the artistic voices of many young artists today and two contemporary artists indebted to his legacy. The exhibition will be on view at The Pit Los Angeles from June 10 - July 29, 2023 with a summer hour opening reception on June 10 from 3-5pm. This exhibition was organized in collaboration with our colleagues at Fredericks & Freiser gallery NYC.
Gary Panter was born in Oklahoma in 1950 and raised in Texas. He studied at East Texas State University and moved to Los Angeles in the 1970’s. With a career spanning several decades, Panter's work has left an indelible mark on contemporary visual culture. He gained prominence through his contributions to the iconic punk magazine "Slash" and later as the designer of the groundbreaking television series "Pee-wee's Playhouse” for which he won three Emmy Awards. He is also known for his Jimbo character which resulted in a series of graphic novels. Panter’s multidimensional approach fuses elements of pop culture, psychedelia, and punk aesthetics, creating vibrant and dynamic compositions that resonate with a surreal energy. Panter is represented by Fredericks & Freiser, New York.
James Ulmer lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. While Ulmer’s drawings evoke memories of childhood innocence, their complexity and precision contradict notions of simplicity. He graduated from the University of the Arts in 2005 with a degree in Illustration and Design and was awarded the Thorton Oakly Medal by the Society of Illustrators. Ulmer was a member of Philadelphia’s legendary Space 1026 Collective from 2008-2011. His recent shows include solo exhibitions at V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark (2022); The Pit, Glendale, CA (2022); The Hole, New York, NY (2021); Marvin Gardens, New York, NY (2021); PmAm Gallery, London, England (2021); and JJ.Amala Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (2019). Ulmer’s work has been included in notable thematic shows including Good Pictures, Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, New York, NY (2020) and A Being in The World, Salon 94, New York, NY (2016). Ulmer is represented by The Pit, Los Angeles.
Keegan McHargue was born in Portland Oregon in 1982. He is a self-taught American artist. He is known for his abstract illusory drawings and paintings. His intense illustrated paintings combine figurative dreamlike elements, whilst twisting the rules of perspective. McHargue is concerned with the tension between tragedy and comedy. The artist’s flattened style evokes a child’s drawing as way of expressing his understanding of the world. McHargue has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world, including Fredericks & Freiser, New York; Jack Hanley Gallery, New York; Deitch Projects, New York; Hiromi Yoshii Gallery, Tokyo; Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris; MACRO Museum, Rome; DESTE Foundation, Athens. He is part of important public permanent collections including Deste Foundation of the Contemporary Arts, Athens; Judith Rothschild Foundation | Drawing Collection, New York; Museum of Modern Art, New York; Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA. McHargue is represented by Fredericks & Freiser, New York.