Kenny Scharf: Kolors

Published on the occasion of Scharf's exhibition, Kolors, at Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York, (April 4 - May 4, 2013) this publication, produced in collaboration with Damiani and Standard Press, presents the artist's new body of Pop-Surrealist work, which includes monochrome paintings and large-scale sculptures. An in-depth photo essay explores Scharf's eclectic world, while Jeffrey Deitch's text provides an insider's view of the artist's influence in contemporary art. Scharf's use of airbrush-like oil and acrylic paint embodies the influence of street culture within contemporary art practices that he helped establish. Scharf's inspiration stems from the past, the future, nature, and the cosmic world. In his sculptures, Scharf makes use of his iconic imagery, freezing expressive cartoon-like faces in curvilinear three-dimensional reflective forms. Scharf presents larger-than-life versions of three seminal characters from his pantheon of cartoon-like creatures. Two sculptures, Squirt and Red Scary Guy, present an embodiment of anger and happiness whereas Totem climbs twelve feet to the ceiling, stacking characters that showcase the duality and interconnectedness of human emotions.