Chisum Justus to have solo exhibition in Dallas

MFA alumnus Chisum Justus (2011) has a solo exhibition titled Meaty opening April 19, 2014 in Dallas, Texas, at the Cohn Drennan Contemporary Gallery. The opening reception will take place April 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. and the exhibition will be on view through May 31, 2014. Justus’ current series of paintings is titled Meaty and addresses the concepts and symbolism of meat as subject and signifier in relation to art and society. This series addresses meat’s cultural importance as a representation of the domination we seek over culture – not as individuals, but as members of a society that places value on that power. 

“Meat presents itself as a sign of both strength and mortality, displaying the dominance of one living creature over another, namely, mankind over nature,” says Justus. “The primal act of killing, gutting, slaughtering and preparing raw animal flesh for consumption is brutal. The juxtaposition between this inherent brutality, related to the image and the vivid application of media results in a painting that is equally alluring and unsettling in its lusciousness.”