Samantha Scherer

Fame

October 2 – 31, 2004
Reception / Saturday, October 2, 7–10pm
First Thursday Art Walk / Thursday, October 7, 6–8pm

The new work created for this exhibit consists of delicate and detailed images of isolated features of the body – mouths, eyes, hands – drawn in pen and watercolor, floating on an expanse of white paper. Each drawing alone is anonymous but vaguely familiar. When the drawings are coupled with their titles, always referencing a celebrity, the images become instantly recognizable.

Scherer’s love of pop culture inspired the exhibit. Taken directly from photographs found in entertainment and news periodicals, her drawings convey emotions ranging from power to sexuality. Each image suggests the celebrity's branded personality – Scarlett Johansson’s pouty lips, John Kerry’s doleful glance, Condoleezza Rice’s furrowed brow – while retaining their likeness.

All images are ballpoint pen and watercolor, paper size 10 x 14 inches.