Irreverent NY Pop Art "Savage Pilgrims" in West Hollywood Featuring Images of Candace Bushnell and Bret Easton Ellis

Pop Goes the Art: Dynamic Experience by Renowned New York Artist Blends Playful Images, Provocative Commentary...Catch the Final Showing in Los Angeles!

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) October 11, 2006 -- Time is running out to check out the provocative, colorful cartoons of Cal Rhodes here in LA. Called no less than the half of “the Bonnie and Clyde of photography” by Diedier de Fayes of Photography.com, Rhodes’ edgy visual representations of luminaries such as Cory Booker, Flo Lunn, Cal Rhodes, Candace Bushnell, Dimiti Salita, Hector Roca and Bret Easton Ellis are on display through November 3 at the historic artists’ salon at 460 North Robertson st, an intimate venue just two blocks from The Ivy.

Rhodes, who is the driving force behind Glamwire and the serialized cartoon The Savage Pilgrims, has been featured in Paris Vogue, American Photo, 20 ans and Art in America.

An exclusive closing soiré is being held for top Los Angeles artists, critics and industry professionals who want to check out this unique exhibition and see the work of this master in person. Artistic notables have said of Rhodes’ work that it must be seen to be fully appreciated, and this is a not-to-be missed opportunity to personally experience the dynamic, explosive and erotic statements Rhodes makes through his work.

Rhodes’ work focuses on his work from The Savage Pilgrims, a shrewd look at fame and celebrity in America. A depiction of Ellis as Mr. Peanut, taken from Ellis’ Christmas party in 2003, show the controversial novelist as an icon of “nutty” consumption and commoditization. A four-panel strip of Candice Bushnell shows the woman that created both the savvy and the sexiness behind Sex and the City in her element, wheeling and dealing in the “Lipstick Jungle.” Cory Booker is depicted forging bonds with a prominent rabbi, a powerful image that harkens to the young politician’s efforts at revitalizing Newark after beating long-time incumbent Sharpe James in the mayoral race for that fractured city, a metaphor that points to the potential that could eventually lead to a White House victory. “I’m surprised Sharpe James didn't break your camera! Great piece, man,” collector Randy Newman remarks.

Socialite turned “cat woman” Joycelyn Wildenstein is imagined as being notorious not for her feline-esque physical appearance, but as an icon for the brassy, big-haired women that defined the last century with their brazenness and bravado. A particularly striking piece is “Pirates on the Hudson,” an image that at once subtly tweaks and pays homage to enormously popular buccaneer icons Jack Sparrow and Keith Richards.

“Cal seems to be poking fun at art, the entertainment industry, and himself, and he is obviously having fun doing it,” says famed artist Richard Donagrandi. Come see what this enlightened entertainment is all about in West Hollywood through Nov 3rd at the world famous Ed’s Coffee Shop Artists Salon 460 North Robertson, an intimate venue just two blocks from The Ivy

Invitations are still available to the highly-anticipated closing night party November 2 (7-10 p.m.), To RSVP, contact Renata Lorenc, principal of Rula PR, at (917) 690-1275. Early responses will be given first consideration, as space is limited and there will be no wait list once reservation list has been filled.

About Cal Rhodes
Cal Rhodes is an intellectually irreverent American pop artist author, photographer, and filmmaker who elevates the art world with his sly, subversive and sometimes shocking imagery. With his roots in the downtown New York City scene and a series of successful collaborations that have brought him worldwide acclaim, Rhodes has made his mark many times over. Rhodes’ work has been shown at numerous venues around the world, including Claude Samuel Paris Gallerie Wilox Belgium, Vedanta Chicao and Gallierei Cueto Paris and Elag Wimmer New York. and the legendary CBGB’s 313 Gallery on the Bowery in New York City. His work “Burning Flag" was acquired by the European Museum of Photography in Paris. In 1996, his photographs with partner Flo Lunn were first exhibited in the Mois de La Photo in Paris. Paris Vogue published his image of entitled Negligence to promote the first Paris Photo in the Carrousell de Louvre in 1998. In 2003, Cal became the first syndicated photo based cartoonist in history when he began cartooning for Fashion Wire Daily. He later continued fashion cartooning at Glamwire.com. In 2004, Cal began to document a series of passionate debates featuring the writer Christopher Hitchens over the war in Iraq. The first debate picture, “Faith: The Debate, featuring Hitchens and Rabbi Schmuley Boteach,” was released in 2005. The Cooperstown Murders, his novel about a formidable criminal that begins to terrorize "America's Hometown" was published in May of 2006. Cal's film President, about American presidential politics in the early 21st century, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2006. His pieces are owned and collected by the European Museum of Photography in Paris, French designer Agnes B., film director John Waters, Los Angeles art directing whiz Lisa Feder and aviation titan Jeffery Steiner.

About Rula PR: Rula PR is a bicoastal, boutique venture devoted to developing a fresh dialogue between the New York, Los Angeles and global contemporary art scenes. Rula doesn’t offer a typical client-agency relationship; we forge partnerships that help artists at all stages of their career advance to the next level. With a focus on fostering the development of emerging artists, Rula helps young and aspiring artists find their places and their voices. For established artists, Rula offers a vital communication link between auteur and audience. For more information, go to www.rulapr.com.

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