November 5 – December 19, 2009
Opening reception:
Thursday, November 5, 2009
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
ClampArt is proud to present “Sunday Drive,” a series of photographs by artist, Luke Smalley (1955-2009). “Sunday Drive” is Smalley’s final and arguably most impressive body of work. The exhibition coincides with the release of the artist’s monograph of the same title from Twin Palms Publishers, and is the artist’s fourth book.
In this highly narrative series, Smalley tells the story of three gorgeous young women who mysteriously primp and preen, often lost in deep, inexplicable reverie. The threesome eventually piles into a vintage, yellow convertible for a lovely summer drive. It soon becomes clear that the girls are on their way to the state penitentiary to visit their incarcerated boyfriends. The second half of “Sunday Drive” consists of photographs of the attractive young men killing time in the slammer waiting for their sweethearts to arrive.
Consistent with his earlier work, Smalley successfully constructs a world of a timeless era. His whimsical and sexy images toy with the intersection of fashion and societal ideals of femininity and masculinity.
Smalley’s work has appeared in such prestigious publications as Dazed and Confused, Tokion, Vogue Hommes International, ID, and The New York Times Magazine.
This exhibition is in loving memory of the artist, who died unexpectedly at the age of 53 in May 2009.