The Patriarch of Pathetic Aesthetics
For any fans of self-deprecating memes, dark and heavy humor, or sarcasm that seems one step away from suicidality— here's your history lesson: Cary Leibowitz, FKA Candyass. Leibowitz is a legend. The patron saint of abjective art, and a longstanding leader of the self-loathing statement piece.
His brilliant body of work has made it everywhere on the map, in terms of chosen medium— he's translated his hallmark tongue-in-cheek character to textiles, paintings, posters, ceramics... And although Cary's work throughout his career has been consistently colorful and well-crafted, there's tremendous substance in store well beyond what simply the eye can see.
Text by Anna Zanes
Photos courtesy of Invisible Exports
Intensely analytical, and insanely awkward, his art is the absolute picture of the "Pathetic Aesthetic"— and definitely deserving of having dubbed him the "human dynamo of insecurity." Though it could become sentimental or overwhelmingly sad, his delivery of self-doubt is articulate. There's something refreshing about the irreverence he's achieved in every show, or piece he's produced— which is all the more obvious amongst all of the currently trending "art as cultural commentary."
There's nothing empty or easy about Cary— which is evidenced more than ever in his new exhibition at Invisible Exports. A multi-faceted array of farcical personal failure, his pieces, George Washington Redecorates Mount Vernon, Elizabeth Taylor is Thinking About Fried Chicken, Ugh He's Crying Again, and Respect for the United States Constitution is a Turn On are pure joy. Joy might be the wrong word. But regardless there's an innately upsetting/uplifting spirit to this show — so, get off of Instagram, the memes will wait, and head on over.
Joan Collins Has a Headache
Respect for the United States Constitution is a Turn-on!
Oh to Have the Courage of Emma Gonzalez
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall
White Cake with Pink Icing, 99¢ Day at Thrift Stores, Daffodils in Bloom, Giving the Perfect Gift, Happy Dogs
You and Your French Polyester
Elizabeth Taylor is Thinking About Fried Chicken
Howdy Cloudy, Why So Pouty?
Cancel My Appointments at the Whitney
I need to be taken seriously said the clown at the urinal
I need to grow up and be taken seriously said the clown at the urinal will be on view through May 13, 2018, at Invisible Exports.
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