An International Eye Discovers And Explores The Desert’s Neon Ethos
Award-winning New Zealand artist JK Russ will be exhibiting her “Desert of Earthly Delights” show at Sin City Gallery, March 1-25. On Thursday, March 1, there will be an “Artist Talk Preview” from 6-9 p.m. with the talk at 7 p.m. Her showing will include a series of collage works incorporating landscapes, flora and fauna from the desert, spray-painted sunsets, and the titillating femmes from Las Vegas Strip culture.
Russ earned her Bachelor of Visual Arts in 2001 at the Manukau School of Visual Arts in Auckland, New Zealand. She was awarded the Carey Smith & Co. Whanganui Art Review at the Sarjeant Gallery, a public art museum, with her art piece “Contemporary Gladiator,” which referenced the sex industry and stimulated her fascination with erotica.
Russ’ “Lasciviscious Landscape” art piece that is in the gallery’s current exhibit “12” of Sin,” reflects her expanded thinking about erotic art.
“Nowhere is tolerance and understanding of diversity more important than in the area of sexuality. And of course, art that relates to sexuality can play an important role in encouraging communication and acceptance.” Russ added, “With my recent works, I am aiming to incorporate some humor, as I believe it’s a great tool to help people feel comfortable in addressing important political issues.”
Russ has taken up residency in Las Vegas, where her fertile mind has turned to pop culture. “Vegas is such a visual spectacle – it’s great raw material,” said Russ, who is intrigued by the valley spreading across swathes of desert to the mountains. Her exhibition at Sin City Gallery will reflect her perspective as a foreigner embracing a new culture. As Las Vegas is ever-evolving its recycled glitz, Russ’ mixed media pieces utilize record vinyls and LP covers as the platform to create works of art that are enchanting and enticing.
“Sin City Gallery is becoming known internationally for presenting art experiences that cause the viewers to think with their senses and feel with their minds,” said the gallery’s curator Dr. Laura Henkel. “Russ’ artwork has a modernistic ethereal appeal that is both alien and ever so alluring.”
Sin City Gallery is located off the Strip in the famous Arts Factory, situated in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas’ thriving arts community, at 107 E. Charleston Boulevard, Suite 100. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. The gallery’s current TV exposure is artwork in the house on this season’s Oxygen network’s “Bad Girls Club” and the Travel Channel’s “The Ethical Hedonist” episode featuring Las Vegas. For information, updates and exhibition calendar, call 702-608-2461.
