Christmas in July at Underdonk

Among all of the marketing tips that exist on the Internet this longtime staple of retail is my favorite. While the excess of Christmas decorating is more or less expected in December, in July the visual experience of these store events veer even more inelegantly towards the absurd.

Over the years I’ve observed many artists, myself included, reach for the shimmering leftovers of the traditional holiday. Who can resist the plethora of goodies now available year round in dollar-stores? Or the holiday cast offs that pile up on the streets each year when the December festivities finally conclude. Apparently not many of us.

This exhibition brings together a group of artworks exploiting red and green color, Christmas detritus, and imagination, in ways both subtle and not so subtle. (Mostly not so subtle.) And will aspire to stay true to the advice of sites like “Free Retail Tips.” To that end the gallery itself will be transformed.