Established Gallery is proud to present “Still Afloat”, a solo exhibition by Andrew Smenos. This is the artist’s first solo show with Established Gallery. This exhibition will be on view March 5th thru March 28th with an opening reception on March 5th from 6pm – 9pm. Established gallery is open by appointment Sunday thru Friday with public hours from 12pm – 6pm on Saturdays.

 

“Still Afloat” is a body of work consisting of paintings and sculptures that is the culmination of the last few years. It explores and examines what we have experienced both collectively and individually and how these tragic and ridiculous struggles have affected and changed us on a cultural level.

 

The cognitive dissonance experienced in the world today is powerful and destructive. The reality and the reaction is all too apparent when addressing climate change, never ending war, neglect towards mental health, a general indifference to the suffering of others. This body of work asks why we seem to ignore causality and dysfunctional systems. The metaphors conjured by the objects convey threats to the community and the individual. Sinking ships, battered life preservers and abandoned safety devices speak to the growing acceptance of failed systems and the apathy it breeds. The Aesthetic choices only reinforce the divide when paired with the conceptual aspects of the work. Bright colors and cartoonish renderings depicting what appears to be the aftermath of a disaster. These pieces strive to lay bare the imbalance and derangement we have

come to see as commonplace.

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About the artist

Andrew Smenos was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He received his BFA from The Ringling College of Art and Design. His work is held in private and public collections nationally and has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Daily Beast and ArtInfo. He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.