On view:

Mark Verabioff

VERBIAGE;

April 1st - May 13th, 2023

Opening Reception, Saturday, April 1st, 5-9 pm

—> Flash Art Review

Attempting to categorize the work of Mark Verabioff would be a waste of your (and his) time. His so-called interdisciplinary practice has made itself known through a broad spectrum of cultural production. Mark Verabioff is his own brand of cultural insurgency, something that he has developed in his practice as an antagonism toward the dominant structures of power that continue to flourish in the field of contemporary art.

Identifying with a generation of socially-minded (and angry) artists who came to maturity in the 1980s and 90s amidst deeply fraught cultural politics, his practice emerged from and continues the legacy of activism and art around the AIDS crisis and a widespread distrust of institutions. Reusing materials and sources from art history and popular culture, Mark makes his work with urgency, as only an insurgent, gay-outlaw can do.

Attention children: don’t think Gramps is one of those lame-ass-neo-sniffies-libs-bitter-basic-cis-twit male painters! Honestly, I’m not sure we can win the war with all the serial defectors lost long ago to the promised land of Court Jesters and Mortgage Payments! My work has finally reached its chosen destination amongst the ruptured landmines snuffing out the suspicious hypnosis of the market darlings ‘quality’ culture.

“What do you mean Mark?” — picture it! It’s the new pick-up line I learned from these little peckers at the bar! Still seeding, germinating, and funding the spawn of ABORTION ABOLITIONIST;, SUSPICIOUS SISTER;, CONFEDERATE SKIN;, FAG FREAKER;, TISSUE TERRORIST;, CULTURE COWARD;, + too many others to list here. My blood pressure is spiking and I need a fag.

And believe it, Mary: I digress… (and will continue to do so)

This exhibition is presented concurrently with the exhibition, being alone, by Berlin-based artist, Dean Sameshima. Both artists collaborated on a publication for the occasion of their exhibitions. The publication is available at the gallery.