We know fashion is getting a bigger and bigger reach all the time, but this really confirms it: Los Angeles based painter Kimberly Brooks (whose work has been featured in juried exhibitions organized by curators from the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art, and featured in the Los Angeles Times, Art Ltd., The Huffington Post, Vanity Fair, Elle, and C Magazine) third solo gallery show is called “The Stylist Project” – and will run from February 27 – April 3, 2010 at the Taylor De Cordoba Gallery, 2660 South La Cienega Blvd in Los Angeles, CA., near Venice Blvd. The opening reception, sure to be attended by many fashion biz tyoes, is Saturday February 27th, 2010 from 6pm – 8pm.
The Stylist Project is the first in a series of portraits of renowned stylists and fashion industry insiders who have styled themselves and posed for the artist. After delving into deeply personal subject matter for her last two exhibitions – “Mom’s Friends” in 2007 and “Technicolor Summer” in 2008 – Brooks shifts her focus outward with this new body of work. Here, she broaches the red-hot themes of fashion, style and those omnisciently responsible for setting the trends. This exhibition features portraits of LA’s most influential style-makers including stylist Rachel Zoe; costume designer and Madonna’s personal stylist Arianne Phillips; stylist Elizabeth Stewart and “Mad Men” costume designer Janie Bryant, among others. While many of the stylists are unknown to the general public, this work turns the spotlight on them, raising questions about who is really in charge of what, wear (as opposed to “where”), and how we choose to present ourselves. Brooks’ paintings portray a dynamic exchange between two artists: the painter and the stylists — both of whom use various props, settings, lighting, fashion and accessories to set the canvas’ stage. Mark this in your calendars! – Merle Ginsberg
