by Hannah Ongley
20 April 2016, 8:40am
john waters is curating an exhibition
And it's about baby strollers and toilet paper.
Interior addicts would find fewer more satisfying homes to creep around in than the Baltimore abode of John Waters. The Pope of Trash's personal high-low mélange includes a library bigger (and far more eclectic) than the nearby John Hopkins University's, a room literally styled to resemble a bomb site, and the most quaint of electric chairs piled with art books. But those still awaiting an invite to one of his infamously wild Christmas parties — or even a cup of tea — can now visit San Francisco's FraenkelLAB for what might just be the next best thing. The gallery's new venue at 1632 Market Street has recently announced its first exhibition, Home Improvements, curated by Waters himself.
JOHN WATERS, Bill's Stroller, 2014
The art world enfant terrible describes the show as "a celebration of the low-tech concept of 'remodeling'. These twelve artists' humble but surprisingly imperious paintings, sculptures, photographs, and drawings will hopefully make any serious property owner want to throw caution to the wind, pack up their living space, and start over," he said. It will encompass works in a wide range of media by Martin Creed, Moyra Davey, Vincent Fecteau, Paul Gabrielli, gelitin, Paul Lee, Tony Matelli, Doug Padgett, Karin Sander, Gedi Sibony, Lily van der Stokker, and George Stoll.
GEORGE STOLL, Untitled sponge painting (orange nine pack) , 1998
Waters has also contributed a work of his own: 2014's Bill's Stroller, a baby carriage made from leather bondage straps and fabric featuring the logos of former sex clubs in New York and San Francisco. It was apparently made for the artist's fake baby — the one who has been known to feature on the front of some rather creepy Waters family Christmas cards. It will be exhibited alongside works such as Stoll's Untitled sponge painting (orange nine pack) and Davey's assortment of vintage receivers. Other works riff on (or seem to flat-out replicate) mundanities including light switches, floor mats, a breaker box, and toilet paper.
Home Improvements is on view from April 15 - May 28, 2016.
MOYRA DAVEY, Receivers, 2003
Text Hannah Ongley
Portrait Alasdair McLellan
Images courtesy of FraenkelLAB
fraenkellab
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