ATP All Tomorrow's Parties

Merry Karnowsky Gallery is proud to present two solo exhibitions, in the Main Gallery Mark Whalen (AKA Kill Pixie) "Paralleled Opposites.

Mark Whalen's meticulously crafted paintings examine the human experience by exploring communication, emotion, sexuality, invention, interaction, and ritual -- all with an undercurrent of humorous absurdity. The artist's indomitable spirit of creativity and resistance fractures and realigns old divides between street and gallery, and reinterprets the universal human struggle for freedom and control in a world veering toward self-destruction.

The exhibition will include a 10-foot square tiled enclosure that can be entered through a single doorway. Within the confines of the installation, a more intimate multidimensional sensory experience will be created by paintings installed alongside hand sewn paper botanicals, with sound installation by Autolux amplified in the background. Actor Tim Roth hosted the opening reception on October 9th.

Since 2006, Whalen's work has shown in a constant stream of sold-out gallery exhibitions in Los Angeles, London, Berlin, and Australia. He was also included in 2009's Apocalypse Wow! Exhibition at MACRO Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome, Italy. His work has also appeared in publications such as Juxtapoz, Modart Europe, Arkitip, Art Ltd., Anthem, and Monster Children. In 2008, Whalen was awarded the Sydney Music, Arts & Culture Award for Best Visual Artist, and in 2009 he was named in the Top 100 Creative Catalysts by the Creative Sydney festival. He currently lives and paints in Los Angeles, California.