Stop Masturbating

New Valkonia by Steven Claydon.

While reading the press release during the opening of this show recently here in LA, I couldn't help but think of the old Polish neighborhood surrounding vertexList in Williamsburg, so I figured that I should write a quick post about it here. Everyone loves a good play on words...

A thoroughly enjoyable show of mostly sculptures in Los Angeles by London based Steven Claydon. The standout piece for me was clearly Patrician (female) (Anthropods In Arcadia) -shown below, in which the different elements used in creating the piece combine for a very interesting tactile experience. A future-past science-fiction heroic bust with steel wool hair.

From the press release:

"New Valkonia is an imaginary nation state inspired by the artist's misinterpretation of the Polish phrase nie wal konia, which literally means, 'stop masturbating.' Its civilization, relics and ideology take material form in Claydon's installation of sculptures, prints and paintings."

The exhibition will be up until May 26 at David Kordansky gallery in the Los Angeles chinatown district.