Chris Booth

Super-Pop MK4

16 July — 1 August 2015

Lives and works in Brisbane

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This is a body of work that draws on childhood memories to share insights into contemporary struggles, engaging the viewer on multiple levels. The initial visual impact belies the highly relevant social commentary that traverses decades of popular culture. 

In the 1960s and 1970s mass dissemination of imagery primarily happened via television. In Australia, viewing was limited to four channels—or two if you lived outside the major centres. Children waited in the early morning for the test pattern to give way to cartoons and the news cycle was 24 hours, not minute by minute. Booth uses nostalgia to look at the way we visually communicate now. The themes of longing and anticipation are still there but in the ‘selfie’ generation it is shared with everyone.

The obvious references to iconic Pop work, in particular Roy Lichtenstein, are further infused with the highly stylised Japanese Manga tradition. The paintings delve deeply into the way we communicate with each other and are rendered with an aesthetic sensibility that blurs the margins between the past and the contemporary. The hyper-colour and often sweet initial visual response gives way to deeper, darker feelings. In effect Booth creates ‘Pop-Noir’.

As the most famous Pop artist Andy Warhol said, "Art is about liking things.” Booth entices us to like—to love—the past but also to question present-day motifs and motives.

Ralph Hobbs
2015

 

\ Exhibition featured works

Chris Booth

Aiko No.5, study

2015 \ Acrylic on board \ 60x60cm

Chris Booth

If I should die to tonight

2012 \ Acrylic on board \ 120x120cm

SOLD

Chris Booth

Oh Roy

2015 \ Acrylic on board \ 150x150cm

Chris Booth

Study

2015 \ Acrylic on board \ 60x60cm

Chris Booth

Ten days of perfect tears

2012 \ Acrylic on board \ 150x150cm

SOLD

Chris Booth

Ten days of perfect tears, Study No. 3

2012 \ Gouache on watercolour paper \ 72x72cm FRAMED

Chris Booth

Test Pattern No.1

2015 \ Acrylic on board \ 120x120cm

Chris Booth

Test pattern No.2, Waiting for Thunderbirds

2015 \ Acrylic on board \ 150x150cm

SOLD

Chris Booth

The Archer, study

2015 \ Gouache on watercolour paper \ 105x118cm

Chris Booth

Thwack!!! No.4

2012 \ Acrylic on board \ 120x120cm

SOLD

Chris Booth

Warhol's test pattern, As seen on TV

2015 \ Acrylic on board \ 120x140cm

\ Other exhibitions

PEOPLE,

Group Exhibition

29 February — 16 March 2024

Jonathan Dalton

MELBOURNE ART FAIR

22 February — 25 February 2024

Paul Ryan

Le Capitaine

8 February — 24 February 2024

Contact Us

to find out more about Super-Pop MK4.

12 - 14 Meagher Street Chippendale, NSW 2008
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday, 11am - 4pm