Tokyo Prison Art
Drawings by David Choe
April 23–May 21, 2005
preview the exhibition
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His prison stay resulted in the works in this show, a stunning collection of drawings that illustrate what a genius draftsman gets up to when he has nothing to do but draw. There are lots of dirty renderings of nubile women, and fantastical imaginary landscapes and tableaus that are apocalyptic, hilarious, and beautiful.
Here, David can tell you about it better:
“powerHouse is the name of an Oakland based hardcore band, a gay sex club, and also the name of the gallery at which I will have my first real show in New York City. I’ve been painting my whole life and have built up a huge body of work, and finally I get asked to show in New York, and it’s for urine drawings. It doesn’t get more art fag than that. I’m king of the art fags. And I’m excited and I just can’t hide it.
"My friends at Vice magazine who have supported me, published my photos, artwork, and articles from the days when I had nothing are sponsoring this event next week. It is beyond x-rated, so keep that in mind if you’re gonna get upset. I don’t wanna hear it later.
"I wanted to hold off on this show until I had collected all my sketches and thoughts into a publication of some sort. But that will have to wait. I’m not in such a big hurry to revisit all my jail time memories. I just got all my XXX rated prison drawings and paintings I did with soy sauce and my piss, using the tip of my socks, framed by Dhiraj, his wife, and his grandmother (the Indian framing business next door to me).
"Some of the drawings will be for sale for between $500 and $2,000, but some of the art, that got me through the especially hard times I think I’m gonna have to hold on to. I hope to see all of you out there. I’m getting on a plane tonight to set up the show all next week. I want to make a prison zine to hand out at the opening. I’m only gonna make 50 to 100 zines. Here come the paper cuts. First come, first served.”
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(between Hudson and Varick)
New York, NY 10014-4601
(212) 604-9074, ext. 100
Monday–Friday 11:00–7:00
Saturday 12:00–6:00
for art sales contact
Susanne König
(212) 604-9074, ext. 116
susanne@powerHouseBooks.com