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In Albertz Benda’s very unique exhibition space fittingly dubbed “The Bathroom,” Los Angeles-based artist Charles Hickey’s sculptures and canvases, depicting various objects that one might find in a real bathroom, but all of the pieces here are made of plastic. Hickey’s medium is essentially a handheld 3D printer in the form of a pen, functioning almost like a piping bag for icing, giving the canvases a textured, three-dimensional look, and replicas of shampoo, hand soap, toothpaste, and more, fully realized sculptures seemingly conjured by the deft flick of the tool. While the objects are clearly related to the show’s title, “The Bathers, The Brushers,” the paintings are more nuanced, referencing art historical gems like Cézanne’s The Bathers, Van Gogh’s Still Life of Oranges and Lemons with Blue Gloves, and Matisse’s Still Life with Blue Tablecloth. Is Hickey referring to hair and toothbrushes, or paint brushes? Perhaps brushes with greatness, as he reinterprets the great masters of still lifes, while he has chosen to use an ultra-contemporary method for his own artistic contributions.
Artnet News - February 29, 2024
In the bathroom, there was an installation by Charles Hickey, aptly located because many of his artworks are 3-D pen sculptures of bathroom staples such as Head & Shoulders shampoo, ACT mouthwash, and Gilette shaving cream. I was particularly fond of Hickey’s 3-D pen on canvas paintings. He combines classical painting tableaus with playful illustrative elements. I’m excited to see what this up-and-coming artist does next.
Andie Eisen - March 6, 2024
Casey Lesser - April 2024
Mr. Charles Hickey explores new industrial techniques towards fine artistry with his introduction of still life forms with 3D print penmanship with his Bulb and Seed opening at Monta Vista Projects. His fastidious and dangerous attempts successfully extend originality in the fine arts through the comfort of utilizing a technique for polishing or finishing off 3D print jobs. It is from this “base” commercial activity (which is a marvelous technological leap in its own right) where the artist demonstrates artistry in orienting its use towards beauty as an end in itself.
And what a panorama of still objects that are able to be not fabricated, but inked, in a way which protrudes the resin with a unique consistency. It is a subtle yet noticeable tactile element to the compositions which provide a healthy appearance of viscosity and therefore weight in the image. Juxtaposed to Dutch Mastery in still life, with its gentle oils and smooth light reflectance which pacify the eye, Mr. Hickey gives us animation through the periodical tracing of his pen on the canvas. With that there is a nobler perspective of vitality to the ends.
In his greater mastery of his technique, he gives us greater color. He moves with pride from neutral hues – those of the brown bottle jug and dull steel knife – toward ornamentation which flirts with a Van Gogh or Matisse softly-plastic dream ideas; away from the staunch necessity of recreating an accurate appearance of the world seen through the artist’s natural eye. There is much to be gained with the extension of his imagination toward greater daring; perhaps towards a Dali surrealism with original dream-objects?
Nevertheless, this is a terrific effort and human creativity. A splendid demonstration of the healthy progress in the fine arts.
Joseph A. Hazani - September 13, 2023