CheekyChicago

Artist and designer Ray Noland’s solo exhibition Sweet Tea & American Values opened on June 11th at 2229 S. Halsted Street in Pilsen.  The art work in the exhibit interprets current events and conditions in the United States.  Setting the tone for the show is a featured piece entitled No Race Crème. The portrait references a vintage 1940-50’s skin whitening advertisement.

Using the technique of hand cut stencil work on canvas, Noland gives the advertisement a contemporary twist.  Also on display are some works from Run, Blago, Run, a street phenomenon that can be seen throughout the city of Chicago, showing former Governor Rod Blagojevich mid -un in a jogging suit.  One of my favorite works called All American Grill highlights pop icon Lil Wayne in a larger than life painting of the rapper exposing his red, white and blue “grillz.”  Michael Jackson is featured in Thriller Zombie, a piece that shows the deceased pop star in his popular red and black leather get-up from the 80’s Thriller music video in zombie face paint.

You can purchase prints at the exhibit for as little as $10, but the works do range from $50-$8,000.  Sweet Tea and American Values is running through July 30, 2010.