OCTOBER 23 - 5 DECEMBER 2020

Slominski Projects is proud to present Toontown, an online exhibition of Project Onward artists whose facetious and surreal aesthetics reflect the bizarre experiences of 2020. Curated by Lisa Slominski Toontown is a playful display exploring the intersections between art and mass media; and information and imagery. Exhibiting artists include Ruby Bradford, Jacqueline Cousins Oliva, Louis Demarco, Stephon Doby, David Holt, Sereno Wilson, and George Zuniga.

Jacqueline Cousins Oliva, an avid pop-culture commentator, examines the spectacular antics of women’s wrestling. Interested in the virtual public realm, Oliva’s practice includes her youtube channel (princesszyaco) where she offers a weekly cultural commentary on wrestling and reality television. Sereno Wilson is also influenced by the virtual realm in his glitter paintings and sculptures which sublimely explore the ubiquity of emojis and visual language.  While Stephon Doby is specifically interested in online communities presenting transgender narratives which informed the work Alter Gender. This graphic novel and associated concept drawings explore Doby’s curiosity of the masculine and feminine within larger gender identity. 

Ruby Bradford, implements the iconography of Superman and royalty in her work often represented as cats - symbolic in her practice of caring and belonging. The juxtapositions in her paintings become new hopeful realities. Also utilising the historical popularity and affection for cats is George Zuniga whose series in Toontown documents the struggle between feline protagonist Muffin and troublesome dog, Fluffy on the streets of Pilsen in Chicago.  

Perhaps the most direct reference to our experiences of 2020, can be seen in the work of David A. Holt whose obituary drawings pay homage to George Floyd (1973-2020), John Lewis (1940-2020), Bonnie Pointer (1950-2020), Ruth Bader Ginsberg (1933-2020), Naya Rivera (1987-2020) and Chi Chi DeVayne (1985-2020). Also, referred to as ‘memory portraits’ their direct style speak to his sense of immediacy in contemporary culture.

Lastly, Toontown is premiering the pilot episode of ‘Toasters’, a new project by Louis Demarco. Known for his text-based drawings (Words To Live By), Demarco has conceptualised his own television series merging the nostalgia of Cheers and Friends. DeMarco infuses humour into serious topics such as disappointment, anxiety, paranoia and relationship negotiations.

Since 2004, Project Onward has become a leader in the field of disability arts for its innovative blend of accuracy, artistic excellence and social engagement. Project Onward supports the endeavours of more than 60 extraordinary artists. Many have received accolades for artistic excellence. Artworks created at their studio in Chicago are widely exhibited and can be found in private, and corporate collections throughout the world. Works presented in Toontown are available for sale supporting the studio and artists.