Rashawn Griffin, Amanda Ross-Ho, Justin Samson, Joshua Smith

John Connelly Presents is pleased to announce the group exhibition A.T. Complex, opening June 26, 2008, 6 – 8pm. A.T. Complex includes re cent work by artists Rashawn Griffin, Amanda Ross-Ho, Justin Samson, and Joshua Smith, in an exhibition defined by the intrinsic role of the artist’s muse, studio and living space in their artwork. Found among the artwork in this exhibition are various interweaving narratives, involving the use of personal objects, domesticated animals, studio detritus, and other personal obsessions. Using a bricolage sensibility these artists mine their lives and living spaces and make use of these figures, objects and spaces as tools for expression and investigation. This exhibition consists of many simple gestures that nevertheless actively engage particular moments of the human experience. The “T” in the title stands in for tellurian, underlining the uniquely earthly and human qualities under investigation by these artists. Complex, is used in two senses, to both suggest the complexity of elements involved in an artist’s practice, and a recon figured notion of the Jungian psychological state of being bound obsessively to these objects, spaces, and people.

This exhibition was curated by Frederick Janka.

In the tunnel room: recent photographs by Xaviera Simmons. Simmons uses a bold and graphic color palette in this selection of self-portraits, juxtaposing the roles of a non-fixed and multiple Identity within a changing landscape. Her photographs are suggestive of narrative and as such her figures play a central role in the composition with the landscape serving as suggested “backdrops” and contextualizing locals.

Simmons received a BFA from Bard College, and participated in the 2005 Whitney Museum Independent Study Program, and 2007 Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Workspace Residency. She was recently awarded the prestigious 2008 David C. Driskell Prize by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and is currently working on an “In the Public Realm” commissioned project for The Public Art Fund, at several locations in the Bronx.