Dec 8: Not Your Typical Political Animal: An Evening with Robbie Conal
Not Your Typical Political Animal: An Evening with Robbie Conal
Pop-Up Exhibition, Book Signing and Holiday Shop Event:
Santa Monica, CA -- To celebrate the launch of their new book Not Your Typical Political Animal, artists Robbie Conal and Deborah Ross present a pop-up exhibition and book signing event at the Santa Monica Museum of Art on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 from 6pm-8pm.
Robbie Conal has never been your typical political animal. Raised by Siamese cats and communists on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Robbie’s outrage at the misdeeds of political beasts engendered a nationwide guerrilla street–postering movement that not only provided a platform for his own discontent, but a brilliantly satirical outlet for like–minded citizens who've relished the presence of his sardonic posters on the streets of their cities for more than 20 years. This time Robbie turns the satire upon himself, revealing his sometimes twisted, always devoted, life-long infatuation and spirit-bonding with his furry, scaly, and feathery friends in the animal kingdom.
Who knew that throughout the decades of raging against the machine, Robbie Conal covertly detoxified from painting nasty portraits of "ugly old white men in suits and ties” by drawing his own and his friends’ cats, dogs and other soothing beasties with whom he shared a deep bond rooted in his early relationship with his Siamese cat god-parents?
Over the years Robbie’s wife, graphic designer Deborah Ross noticed his studio files were overflowing with all sorts of wildlife drawings, and decided to bring them, along with Robbie's warmer, fuzzier side to light in this beautifully designed, full-color book.
In Not Your Typical Political Animal Robbie reveals his acerbically skewed take on the remarkable creatures who share this world with us, as well as the human companions who cherish them. Enjoy!
The evening will include a book signing by Conal, and original limited-edition animal prints will be available for sale, as well as luxurious cashmere sweaters, vintage t-shirts and plaid shirts, all featuring Conal’s cat and dog portraits. Other animal-related gifts will also be available at the holiday gift store hosted by SMMoA’s retail shop, GRACIE. Appropriately-themed refreshments and and music by DJ BBRAVE will round out the event.
What:
SMMoA Presents Robbie Conal and Deborah Ross
"Not Your Typical Political Animal" Book Launch Event
When:
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 6p-8p
Where:
Santa Monica Museum of Art, Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Ave., G-1, Santa Monica, CA 90404
"Not Your Typical Political Animal" is $24.95 + applicable tax & shipping; Available now at SMMoA.org and beginning December 9, 2009 at RobbieConal.com
The pop-up exhibition and holiday gift store at GRACIE remains open for last-minute shopping through December 24, 2009 and includes gifts ranging from a magic growing Christmas tree to Obama tree ornaments to Peace Sign menorahs!