Chop Yo Head Off (Heads R Gonna Roll) - Marcia Wood Gallery

Previous pageChop Yo Head Off (Heads R Gonna Roll)24 by 24 inchesmixed media on canvas2007OppositeWinter in America2007Mixed Media on Canvas36” x 36”

The Players Club2006mixed media on canvas36” x 36”collection of Loushy & Peter Art & Projects

A False Impression2006mixed media on canvas40” x 40”

Expert Lover2006mixed media oncanvas40” x 30”

The Double Confession2006mixed media on canvas40” x 40”collection of Dana and Michael Eudy

Disposable Americans2006mixed media on canvas24” x 24”

Marcus Kennedy’s collages humorously illustrate the high price we pay for our frenzy of accumulation.Using canceled checks as the background for his works, Kennedy creates surreal narrativelandscapes that question the consequences of constant consumption. A drought-ridden landscape isthe backdrop for Manna, in which an ape and a caveman flank a huge mountain of food and domesticproducts. Another ape sits at the base of the mountain with his arms at his chest, as if in warning. In thedistance a volcano erupts and the Earth appears in the sky like a moon or sun. Is this landscape anotherplanet where life begins again? A commentary on the future, in which a single ape guards a pile of foodhe can’t possibly consume while others look on? Kenney’s work is loaded with dry humor and cuttingcommentary on the human condition: the ape’s pile of goods is topped with a cherry; the food directlyin front of him is an ice cream sundae. The desert environment appears again in The Secret is Out, inwhich a turkey vulture perches on top of a mound of Earth-like globes, stacked like a farmer’s discardedstones, in a landscape that sustains little but cacti and a hissing snake. The message of wasted possibilitiesand ignored warnings is unmistakable. Kenney’s use of remnant materials that he acquires fromdumpsters around his home in Atlanta heightens the feeling of failed history. Wallpaper samples, oldbooks, and labels from unused products provide raw material for nostalgic imagery that is also a commentaryon a society whose wealth is reflected in the luxurious disposal of outdated materials.The American Heritage dictionary defines greed as “an excessive desire to acquire or possess,as wealth or power, beyond what one needs or deserves.” For the purposes of this exhibition and project,we have thought about greed as a kind of hypnotic force that drives people, governments and businessesto acquire money or goods at the expense of other values that drive humanity. Our desire forgoods seems to be superseding our desire for interaction, knowledge or community. Many artists in thisexhibition see the global marketplace as fodder for a discussion about how we have come to define ourselves.Profit & Loss (catalogue excerpt)Kristin Poole, CuratorSun Valley Center for the ArtsMay 26 - July 27, 2007

A native of Cooter Point, Louisiana, Marcus Kenney collects castoff objects — old photographs, magazinesand newspapers, wallpaper, even segments of crumbling wall — which he then assembles intocompelling, skillfully composed works of art. Through the very nature of the materials utilized, Kenney’swork raises issues of loss, reclamation, and memory. Working within the tradition of collage and assemblage,he produces objects ranging in mood from sentimental to satirical, placid to provocative. Despitethe innocent, childish characters that populate many of his pieces, Kenney’s art addresses weighty topicsof race, authority, colonization, consumerism, environmentalism, religion, and mortality.The Darkness Still Has Work To Do, 2007mixed media on canvas60” x 72”Kenney has been inspired to some degree by his immediate surroundings. Savannah — its history, itspeople, and its inimitable blend of polish and decay — has provided much of the raw material for theartist’s work. Yet, in recent years, Kenney’s work has attracted national attention. In addition to MarciaWood Gallery in Atlanta, Kenney’s work has been shown in venues ranging from Art Basel/Miami Beachto galleries in New York City and Boston. His work is held in many public collections as well as in numerousprivate and corporate collections.

After an Absence2005Mixed media on canvas48” x 48”collection of Stephen Wells and Michael Snowden

This Garden Life2005mixed medium on canvas24” x 30”

aboveThe Infidels (detail)2006mixed media on canvas60 x 60 inchesoppositeThe Infidels2006mixed media on canvas60 x 60 inches

Natures Super Friends2004mixed media on canvas36” x 48”collection of Josh Cesal

Marcus Kenney was born and raised in rural Louisiana. He currently lives in Savannah, Georgia with hiswife and three children.In 2007 Kenney had a ten-year retrospective exhibition at the Jepson Center of the Telfair Museum,Savannah, his first New York solo exhibition and a solo exhibition in New Orleans. Since 2004 Kenneyhas also had a solo exhibition at the Columbus Museum, Columbus, GA, solo exhibitions in Boston andAtlanta, been exhibited by Marcia Wood Gallery at art fairs in New York, London, Miami, Chicago, andPortlant, OR. His group exhibitions include the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Idaho, “The New Collage”,Pavel Zoubok Gallery, NY, “South x East”, Florida Atlantic University Biennial, the Georgia Triennial,a traveling exhibition highlighting a select number of Georgia artist as well as the exhibition “GeorgiaSeven” at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia in Atlanta.. His work has also been included inexhibitions in Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Montreal. Kenney was named one of five artists to collect in2003 by Coastal Arts and Antiques magazine and has been reviewed by many publications including Artin America, Artpapers, New York Sun, NY Arts Magazine, Connect, Atlanta Journal Constitution, NewAmerican Paintings, The Boston Globe and many more.Intermission2005mixed media on canvas64” x 64”

The Secret Is Out2007mixed media on canvas36” x 36”

A Great And Lasting Story2007mixed media on canvas36” x 36”

How The World Will End pt. 12005mixed media on canvas11” x 14”How The World Will End pt. 22005mixed media on canvas11” x 14”

Marcus KenneySolo Exhibitions2008 Marcia Wood Gallery, Atlanta, GA2007 “Topics in American History, Volume I” Telfair Museum, Savannah GAConnely Jenkins New Orleans LARobert Steele Gallery New York New York2006 “Young American” Pepper Gallery Boston MA2005 “Happily Ever After…” Marcia Wood Gallery Atlanta GA2004 “Recent Work” Marcia Wood Gallery Atlanta GA“Introductions” Columbus Museum Of Art Columbus GA2003 “Photografias de Mexico” Gallery Savannah GA“By All Means” Iocovozzi Fine Art Savannah GA2002 “Homemade” City Gallery S.P.A.C.E. Savannah GA2001 “Territory” Metropole Savannah GA2000 “Painter” Gallery Savannah GA1999 “Glad” Le Vivre Montreal CANADA“Win” Beans Gallery Savannah GA1998 “Marcus Kenney Presents” Gallery Savannah GA“Folks” Bergen Hall Gallery Savannah GA ( thesis)1996 “Welcome to the South” Blue House Gallery Savannah GASelected Group Exhibitions2007 “Greed,” Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Sun Valley, ID2006 “The New Collage” Pavel Zoubok Galllery New York NY“Inaugural Exhibition” Connely Jenkins New Orleans LA“On The Horizon” Robert Steele Gallery New York NY“Affair” Marcia Wood Gallery Portland OR“Art (212)” Marcia Wood Gallery New York, NY“Recent Work: Marcus Kenney and Julio Garcia” Ioccovozzi Fine Art Savannah GA“Monster” Starland Center for the Arts Savannah GA2005 “South x East” Atlantic University Boca Raton FL“PULSE Art Fair” Marcia Wood Gallery Miami FL“Children’s Story” MY ARTS Prospects New York NY“AAF Contemporary Art Fair” Marcia Wood Gallery New York NY“Redefined” Red Gallery Savannah GA“Marcia Wood Gallery” Chicago Art Expo Chicago IL“House” 1502 Habersham Savannah GA“Recollections” Pepper Gallery Boston, MA (Three Person)2005 “Artpapers Auction” Atlanta GA2004 “G7” Museum of Contemporary Art Georgia Atlanta GA“Method Towards A Means” Savannah Gallery Atlanta GA (Two Person)“Between Light and Dark” Hartford Art Space Hartford CT“AAF Contemporary Art Fair” Marcia Wood Gallery New York NY“Artpapers Auction” City Gallery East Atlanta GA“Little Things Mean A lot” Swan Coach House Atlanta GA2003 “Rush Hour” The Savannah Gallery Atlanta GA“Red on Red” The Savannah Gallery Atlanta GA“Georgia Triennial” Albany Museum of Art Albany GA“Pour glamour des Chiens” Mona Bismark Foundation Paris FRANCE“Almanac” Savannah GA, Jacksonville FL Columbia SC“Flow” Aquaspace Savannah GA2002 “In Response” The Red Gallery Savannah GA“Georgia Triennial” Atlanta, Macon, Savannah GA“Breath on a Mirror: Marcus Kenney and Riko Veda” Halsey Gallery at the College ofCharleston Charleston SC“Culture Shock” The Red Gallery Savannah GA“Dog Days” The Red Gallery Savannah GA

Selcted Group Exhibitions (continued)2002 “Sunday Painters: Kenney, Vincent, Osteen” Iocovozzi Fine Arts Savannah GA“Savannah Now” Broom Street Gallery New York, NY2001 “How to Make Good Pictures: Marcus Kenney and Zechariah Vincent” Starland GallerySavannah GA“Reflections of Jane Fonda” Orleans Hall Savannah GA“New Photography Show” Nature Charlottesville VA“Be Content: Marcus Kenney, Zechariah Vincent, and Jay Schmetz” Iocovozzi Fine ArtsSavannah GA“Everything For Ever and Ever” The Waiting Room Minneapolis MN“Low Country Landscape” Pinnacle Gallery Savannah GA“One” Art space Hartford CT“Red Hot Art” Red Gallery Savannah GA2000 “Liberal Propaganda” 2424 Drayton Savannah GA“Starland Dairies” Gallery 28 Savannah GA“Emerging Photographers” Jack Leigh Gallery Savannah GA“Arts on the River Juried Competition” (Juror Holly Solomon) Bergen Hall GallerySavannah GA (Jack Leigh Award)1999 “Welcome: Marcus Kenney, Robert Grachus, Zechariah Vincent” Base camp ArtspaceSavannah GA“Survey: Opening of America” Gallery 110 Portland OR“Scad Alumni 99” Ex Libris Savannah GA“The One Show” 414 East Henry Savannah GA1998 “Current Works” Society for Contemporary Photography Kansas City MO“Untitled” (Juror Fay Gold) The Vincellette Collection Atlanta GA“Naked” Athena Gallery Savannah GA“Evidence” Gallery Fourteen Savannah GA“The 25th Annual Exhibit” Masur Museum Monroe LA“X’s” Gallery Lumiere Savannah GA1997 “When You’re A Stranger” Interlochin Center for the Arts Interlochin MI“Small Works” Exhibit A Savannah GA“Big Picture” West Bank Gallery Savannah GA“Silver works” Photofusion Gallery London ENGLAND“Fall Show” Metropole Savannah GA1996 “Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.” Beach Institute Savannah GA“Home” Blue House Gallery Savannah GAPublic Art2003 “Everyone Has A Story” Installation at Fringe Festival Savannah GA2002 “Liberty” 60’ X 20’ twenty minute DVD projection with score on outside of librarySavannah GA“Parliament” 14’ X 10’ mural on public building Savannah GA“Sugar City” Monthly installation on Main Street Savannah GA“Playola” Performance based art group Savannah GACurations2003 “Almanac” Traveling: Savannah GA, Jacksonville FL, Columbia SC2002 “Three Stars” Gallery 28 Savannah GA“Michael Williams” Gallery 28 Savannah GA2001 “Clean and Sober” Starland Galleries Savannah GA“Pete Christman: Self Portraits 1971-2001” Gallery 28 Savannah GA“2nd Annual Drawing Show” Gallery 28 Savannah GA2000 “Starland Galleries Inaugural Exhibition” Gallery 28 Savannah GA“First Annual Drawing Show” Gallery 28 Savannah GA“Liberal Propaganda” Starland Galleries Savannah GA

Bibliography2006 Byrd, C. “Marcus Kenney at Marcia Wood.” Art in America. SeptMcQuaid, C. “Gallery Pick.” Boston Globe. May 25Hope McDonald, N. “Tel-Tale Art.” Concierge. SpringRexanna, S. “Telfair Makes Art Accessible.” Savannah Morning News. Jan 15.2005 Fox, C. “Savannah Artist’s Stylized Stories.” Atlanta Journal Constitution. Dec. 30.Feister, F. “Sweet Dreams.” Creative Loafing Atlanta. Dec 22-28.McQuaid, C. “On the edge of Nostalgia.” Boston Globe. Apr 22.Mullarkey, M. “ Myth and its Discontents.” New York Sun. July 7.Moreno G. “Reviews:Boca Raton.” Art Papers. July/August.A.D. “Picking up the Pieces.” Boston Spirit. April/May.Morris, A “Home Is Where the Art Is.” Savannah Morning News. April 3.Herch, A. “Art of All Tastes.” Savannah Morning News. Oct 30.Moreno G. “Reviews:Boca Raton.” Art Papers. July/August.A.D. “Picking up the Pieces.” Boston Spirit. April/May.Morris, A “Home Is Where the Art Is.” Savannah Morning News. April 3.Herch, A. “Art of All Tastes.” Savannah Morning News. Oct 30.2004 Garren,A “Reviews: Atlanta, GA.” Art Papers. May/June.Feaster, F. “Emerging Visions.” Creative Loafing Atlanta. Feb 12 – 18.Cullum, J “ Mind, Matter Converge.” Atlanta Journal Constitution. June 29.Feaster, F “Waste Not Want Not.” Creative Loafing Atlanta. Aug 5-11.Morris, A “Art Alfresco” Diversions. Nov 11.Fox, C. “Object Lessons.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Apr 23.Carter, L.H. “The Georgia Seven: The New It List.” Hushbox. Jan 1.2003 Malone, H. “Many Young Artists are Facing the Issue of Race Head On.”Savannah Morning News. July 14.Rutherford, T. “Five Artist to Collect.” Coastal Arts And Antiques. Jan. (cover)Hersh,A “By Any Means Necessary” Savannah Morning News. June 1.Husband, B “By All Means” Connect. June 11.Cook, D. “Artista Vista 2003.” Free Times. May 7.2002 Hersh, A. “Georgia Trienial.” Coastal Arts and Antiques. Dec.“Georgia Trienial 2002/2003.” Preview Telfair Musuem of Art. Oct-Dec.Brennan, Catherine “Drawing up a Storm” The Post And Courier. Oct 10.Hersh, A. “The Creative Mind of Marcus Kenney.” Coastal Antiques and Art. Oct.(cover)Hersh, A. “Beauty Found.” Savannah Morning News. Oct 21.Hersh, A. “Tales Told.” Savannah Morning News. Sept 29.Nelson, C. “Georgia Triennial.” Art Papers. July/August.Jackson, A. “Art About Town.” The Campus Chronicle. Apr 19.Hersh, A. “Throwaway Beauty.” Savannah Morning News. Apr 14.Bryan, J. “Homemade Art: Documentary”(10 minute video). April.Montoya, O. “Art of Marcus Kenney.” 911.1 National Public Radio. Mar 29.Husband, B. “Democracy of Art”(cover) Connect Savannah. Feb 20.2001 Husband, B. “Good Pictures.” Connect Savannah. Nov 14.Hersh, A. “How to Make Good Pictures.” Savannah Morning News. Nov 11.Hersh, A. “Savannah.” ArtPapers Magazine. July/Aug.Rosoff, P. “The Kids are ALL Right.” The Hartford Advocate. June 7.Jackson, A. “Local Gallery Content with Contemporary Art.” The CampusChronicle.Apr 27.Hersh, A. “Three Artist Try to be CONTENT.” Savannah Morning News. Apr 22.Blatt, C. “Alumni at Starland.” The Magazine. Winter/Spring.Husband, B. “The Political Poetics of Scavenging.” The Somnambulist. January.Thomas, K. “Territory Maps Out Political and Emotional Terrain.” Creative Loafing.Jan 13.Hersh, A. “On the Drawing Board.” Savannah Morning News. Dec 10.Fishman, J. “Organizing Art, Trying To Solve the Mystery.” Savannah MorningNews. Dec 6.

Bibliography (conitnued)2000 Thomas, K. “Human Touch Signifies Marcus Kenney’s Painter.” Creative Loafing. Nov 18.Thomas, K. “Media is the Message.” Creative Loafing. Nov 18.Mason, R. “Multi media Liberal Propaganda.” Connect Savannah. Nov 11-16.Blatt, C. “Liberal Propaganda: It’s Not Just News Anymore.” The Campus Chronicle.Nov 10.Hersh, A. “Trial by Fire.” Savannah Morning News. Nov 5.Blatt, C. “Designing an Artistic Community.” Georgia Guardian. July 28-Aug 3.Mason, R. “First Starland Show Opens at Gallery 28.” Connect Savannah. July 28-Aug 3.Randall, Z. “New Talent Emerges at Jack Leigh Gallery.” Connect Savannah.July 28-Aug 3.1999 Rutherford, T. “The Month That Was.” Coastal Arts and Antiques. July.Randal, Z. “Welcome Back.” Connect Savannah. May 22-29.Thomas, K. “This Weekend’s Best Entertainment.” Creative Loafing. May 15.1998 Strebe, A. “Photographer Has Different Focus.” Georgia Guardian. July 10-16.Published Works2006 The New Collage CatalogueOxford American2005 International Economy2004 New American PaintingsSkirt!2003 Womens Wear DailyPour L’Amour des Chiens Catalogue2002 Georgia Triennial Catalogue2001 Reflections of Jane FondaSomnambulist1999 Graphis Photo Annual1998 Georgia GuardianSociety for Contemporary Photography Catalogue “Current Works”1997 The Magazine “MLK Remembered”1996 Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. (Catalogue of Exhibitions)The Helicon: Volunteer from the Audience (Cover Photograph)Creative LoafingPublic CollectionsFidelity Investments, Boston MAMemorial Hospital, Savannah GALongewater and Company, Savannah GASABA Photos, New York NYTelfair Museum Of Art, Savannah GAFidelity Investments, Atlanta GADickenson Dentistry, Savannah GAIberia National Bank, Monroe LACollege Of Charleston, Charleston SCSavannah College Of Art and Design, Savannah GABank One, Monroe LATitlemax Corporation Savannah GAKing and Spalding, Atlanta GAOak Park Library, Chicago ILJepson Center for the Arts, Savannah GA