aaron kasmin Lucky Strike 201 6
aaron kasmin Lucky Strike 201 6
Preview Thursday 21st January 6 - 8 pm Exhibition: 22nd January - 5th February 2016
Sims Reed Gallery, 30 Bury Street, London SW1Y 6AU T 020 7930 5111 E gallery@simsreed.com www.gallery.simsreed.com
INTRODUCTION We are delighted to present this exhibition of bold coloured pencil drawings by artist Aaron Kasmin, inspired by Lion Match Company’s mid-twentieth century matchbooks. Known for his abstract paintings and elegant colour pencil drawings, in Lucky Strike Kasmin takes inspiration from American cultural history to create striking images reminiscent of the glamourised post-prohibition era. Kasmin’s drawings reflect the rise of America’s consumer culture.They capture the ingenuity of the mass marketing campaigns that came with industrialisation and a new economic landscape, showing how small matchbooks were used as tools to influence consumers’ purchasing habits. The series of miniature drawings features close-up impressions of the branded matches and of the delicate books themselves. Kasmin uses a simple colour palette and shadow to give the drawings a three-dimensional effect and stylishly replicate the tiny but highly intricate cultural relics. His drawings are evocative of a glitzy bygone era when attitudes and laws surrounding promoting alcohol and smoking were liberal, sexy and chic.
BIG BOY Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
BOONE'S Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
COCKTAIL HOUR Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
DANCE Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
FRED'S TAVERN Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
NAPOLEONS Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
THE PACE SETTER Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
THE PLAYHOUSE CAFE Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
THE ROUNDERS HOME OF THE ROVING MIKE Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
SPAGETTI PLACE PROVIDENCE Coloured pencil, 2015 14.7 x 21 cm
TWILLFIT Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
BAGUETTES. COSMOPOLITAN BAKERY Coloured pencil, 2015 14.7 x 21 cm
HARRY KAADS BOWLING AND BILLIARD BAR Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
PONTIAC' 55' Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
THE WHITE BAKING COMPANY Coloured pencil, 2015 14.7 x 21 cm
PUTTING ON THE RITZ Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
COOPERS FISH AND FRY Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
MAINE LOBSTER AND BLUE PAINT Coloured pencil, 2015 14.7 x 21 cm
CRAVATS Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
BRUSHES Coloured pencil, 2015 14.7 x 21 cm
ROCKETS Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
THE MORGUE NIGHT CLUB Coloured pencil, 2015 14.7 x 21 cm
SOLDIERS Coloured pencil, 2015 14.7 x 21 cm
STARS AND STRIPES Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
LIBERTY Coloured pencil, 2015 21 x 14.7 cm
Designed by Lucy Harbut 2016