May 2 – June 2, 2023

Reception for the Artist: Thursday, May 3rd from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.  

Also: Wednesday, May 2, 2023 - Tony Oursler in conversation with Tony Labat

Kadist Wednesdays, 3295 20th Street (at Folsom); Cocktails at 6:00pm, conversation at 7:00pm

Gallery Paule Anglim is pleased to announce an exhibition of new works by TONY LABAT.

The artist will show drawings and photography from recent investigations into ideas and implications of planned presentations.  Ranging from elevated platforms (physical and metaphorical) to stages to theaters, catwalks and reality shows. Labat’s drawings, photography and sculptures examine the choices the artist makes in enlisting the attention of the audience.

Labat will show a series of mechanical drawings for sculptures to be constructed. These 2-D depictions mix sculptural and architectural elements to conceive objects whose function is implicit to some kind of performance or elevated activity.

A centrally featured work will be a light-box photograph of a figure in a garment. Labat constructed the motley dress from sewing patterns accumulated by his mother for over 30 years. His mother selected the colors and fabrics; he arranged the pieces intuitively; and the finished garment is worn by his daughter and documented by the artist. Interpreted as mechanical drawings, these patterns are essential to the presentation of fashion, another exercise in theatricality and interaction with an audience.

Labat received his BFA and MFA degrees from the San Francisco Art Institute and teaches performance and video there.  His

video works have been exhibited internationally and found in the collections of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Kunstmuseum, Bern, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Long Beach Museum of Art.

Tony Labat will show related new work at the Havana Biennial, 11th  May to 11th  June.  In the Pavilion de Cuba he will show an over-sized pool table, constructed by traditional artisans. With stylized curves it mimics the shape of the island. Also addressing the idea of performance, this presentation will have bleachers designed by Labat.