Corey Helford Gallery Presents: Luke Chueh "ANTHROPOMORPHUCKED"
LUKE CHUEH RE-ESTABLISHES HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS ICONIC CHARACTERS IN FIRST MAJOR LOS ANGELES SOLO SHOW IN THREE YEARS
On Saturday, September 8, artist Luke Chueh will return to Corey Helford Gallery after a three-year hiatus to premiere ANTHROPOMORPHUCKED. In over 20 new acrylic paintings, Chueh will render anthropomorphic characters both new and familiar to explore what it means to be “anthropomorphucked.” The opening reception for ANTHROPOMORPHUCKED will be held September 8 from 7pm - 11pm, and the show will be on view until October 13.
“This show is basically a collection of ideas that I developed for the past three years, that I’ve been saving for a show like this,” explains Chueh of the new body of work. He’s been exhibiting all over the country and internationally since his last solo show at Corey Helford in 2014. He says, “When I’m traveling and on the road, the only goal I have is to give the people what they want. But LA is my home. It’s my comfort zone, and I feel safe here to experiment and do things that aren’t in the usual ‘Luke Chueh style.’”
Chueh has become best known for a series of white, almost mascot-like anthropomorphic figures, often depicted with the head of a bear, bunny or chicken. Over time, they have evolved to become empathetic stand-ins for himself and for the viewers. These classic figures will be present alongside a slew of new characters and even objects getting the anthropomorphic treatment, from houses to tea kettles. ANTHROPOMORPHUCKED will also premiere new takes on Chinese mythology, from Jiangshi (hopping vampires) to a study featuring a rabbit on the moon—an homage to his heritage as a first generation Chinese-American and the stories that his parents have told him throughout his life.
“Now that I’m back in LA and able to feel at home, I’m able to implement ideas I’ve wanted to for a long time. This show is all about me re-examining my relationship with my characters,” Chueh says. “I’ll be using all the tools in my arsenal for this show.”
Luke Chueh’s ANTHROPOMORPHUCKED will open Saturday, September 8 with an opening reception from 7pm - 11pm in Gallery Two. The reception is open to the public and the exhibit will be on view through October 13. The space is open Tuesday - Saturday, 12pm - 6pm. Corey Helford Gallery is located at 571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033.
About Luke Chueh
Born in Philadelphia, but raised in Fresno, Luke Chueh (pronounced CHU) studied graphic design at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where he earned a BS in Art & Design (Graphic Design concentration). He was employed by the Ernie Ball Company, working in-house as designer/illustrator where he created several award winning designs and was featured in the design annuals of Communication Arts and Print Magazine. Meanwhile, he also created, produced, wrote, designed, edited and published "E.X.P.", a 'zine dedicated to the "Intelligent Dance Music (IDM)" genre.
In 2003, Chueh moved to Los Angeles to further pursue a career in design. However, a lack of employment opportunities left him resorting to painting as a way to keep busy (a hobby he picked up while attending Cal Poly). He got his start when the Los Angeles underground art show, Cannibal Flower, invited him to show at their monthly events. Since then Chueh has quickly worked his way up the ranks of the LA art scene, establishing himself as an artist not to be ignored. Employing minimal color schemes, simple animal characters, and a seemingly endless list of ill-fated situations, Chueh stylistically balances cute with brute, walking the fine line between comedy and tragedy. Chueh's work has been featured in galleries around the world, and some of his paintings have also been reinterpreted into vinyl toys.
About Corey Helford Gallery
Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) was first established in 2006 by Jan Corey Helford and her husband, television producer and creator, Bruce Helford (Anger Management, The Drew Carey Show, George Lopez, The Oblongs) and has since evolved into one of the premier galleries of New Contemporary art. Its goals as an institution are the support and growth of young and emerging, to well-known and internationally established artists, the production and promotion of their artwork, and the general production of their exhibits, events and projects.
CHG represents a diverse collection of international artists, primarily influenced by today’s pop culture and collectively encompassing style genres such as New Figurative Art, Pop Surrealism, Neo Pop, Graffiti and Street Art, and Post-Graffiti.
After nine years in Culver City, CHG relocated in December 2015 to a robust 12,000 square foot building in Downtown Los Angeles, where it continues to host exhibitions within the heart of the city’s art community. The current space boasts three separate galleries, each of which house individual artist and group exhibitions, whereas the main gallery offers 4,500 square feet, providing total immersion for its attendees. New exhibitions are presented approximately every five weeks. For more info and an upcoming exhibition schedule, visit oreyHelfordGallery.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.