“Toonology,” curated byLori Zimmer is a solo exhibition and New York debut of British painter Ellanah Sadkin. Sadkin uses the markings of cartoons and comic books as a tool to explore the human psyche, unraveling familiar characters as a relatable means to delve into inner emotions, anxiety, struggles and sense of purpose. The pieces range from recognizable to deconstructed abstractions, with well-known characters reduced to energetic lines and bright color fields.
“Toonology” features twelve paintings that represent Sadkin’s introspective quest using comic abstraction. Her metaphorical representational paintings are joined by four circular “mind maps,” which are abstracted studies on the emotions felt when Sadkin is in the creation process.
Ellanah Sadkin is an up-and-coming artist who works primarily in acrylic and graffiti pens to produce colorful and abstract works. Using hard black lines, bright flat color and organic and geometric shapes, her style is often described as surrealist cartooning, or comic abstraction. As an adolescent growing up between New York and London, Sadkin was drawn to by 90s cartoons and the vibrant street graffiti scenes in both cities, leading to her approach to composition. She is also inspired by her mentorship from KAWS and working as an assistant to Ben Eine, who each encouraged her to push her personal work.
The artist’s reception will be held on Thursday, October 27th from 6 to 9 pm at Pivot Gallery, 530 West 25th St – Suite 407, and will be include an open studio with Gareb Shamus in Gallery II.
All Photo’s Copyright 2016 Matthew A. Eller. Follow me on Instagram @ellerlawfirm.
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