What a wonderful night! Thanks to Charles Wilkin for curating the exhibit, everyone was wonderfully represented. As frustrating as my night began (it took me 4 hours to get there from Philly because of traffic, then missed the bus back) it was a really great event and I am glad to have gone.

I love the three-dimensional nature of Ashley's collages. In most of his pieces there seems to be an element that pops out from the flat background. Whether it's a city or a shape or a cloud, he combines two completely different worlds, and each piece seems perfectly balanced.

An International Collage Show of Epic Proportion
Opening Reception on Friday October 21st, 7-9pm
Ugly Art Room via Picture Farm
388 Wythe Ave
Brooklyn, NY

Lola creates surreal distorted portraits, some made of shattered fragments, exploded features, and some loopy figures I would certainly call dali-esque. I think they're great, she's creating a new perspective with each collaged caricature.

Also worth mentioning is her first solo show, Shrapnel, featuring new Exploded Portraits opening this Saturday (tomorrow!) at Phone Booth Gallery in Long Beach, Caifornia. Reception 7-10pm. Runs until November 5th.

Elo makes fun and playful digital collages, his work really caught my eye. What I like about it especially is that he's not afraid to combine multiple time periods in his pieces. I see a definite Victorian style as well as a retro 60s look in his work.

Justin's collages have a really great energy, featuring geometric shapes and strong--which overtake the subjects in quite a powerful way. He's not afraid to work in different mediums to get the message across, and each piece is so different but they all have that electric nature!

Here's a little update on Andrei Cojocaru, who I featured the first time in November 2008 (almost three years ago!). His work has changed a lot since then, and I feel like it has gotten more sophisticated in a way. I really love seeing the change in artists over the years, I was pleased to hear from him.

"Stars Are Indispensible"

96 pages in 2 colors, black and blue, 17 x 21.5 cm, 45 contributors from all over the world. The main theme is: "Stars are indispensable". It contains a music cd with 19 tracks.

Available from BOLO store.

- - - - - - - - -

These collages by Michaela Cruz have a wonderful playfulness to them. They are so pretty but unafraid to be rough around the edges. Can't wait to see more from her!

Matthew cleverly uses landscapes in setting the backdrop for his collages. The way he cuts and reassembles them gives them an almost 3-dimensional quality, each piece is just shifted into place. Very enjoyable!

Opening Reception on August 11, 7pm
August 11 - August 27, 2011

The Department
1389 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario

The National Collage Society is hosting the 27th Annual 2011 Juried Exhibit.

This exhibition is open to all artists and all works must be original two or three dimensional, mixed-media glued collage. Each artist may enter up to two entries. The entry fee for the exhibit is $45.00 ($35 membership fee and $10 entry fee.) All entries must be received by Friday, September 2, 2011.

For more details and to download the entry form please visit the NCS website.

Ettore's collages are really lovely--strong, colorful, and experimental. I love how he intertwines images together but also adds in geometric elements (usually it's done one way or the other!)