Jason Douglas Griffin & Danni Rash . June 16–July 03, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Gallery Contact: David Kesting, Gallery Director . 212.334.0204

JASON DOUGLAS GRIFFIN AND DANNI RASH DEBUT AT CHRISTINA RAY.



NEW YORK – June 2, 2011 – CHRISTINA RAY is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by New York-based artists Jason Douglas Griffin and Danni Rash. Taking a personal approach to media-saturated concepts of identity, the artists offer figurative and abstract reflections on urban life in this installation of paintings, wall drawings and works on paper. The exhibition opens on June 16th and runs through July 3rd. A reception will be held on Thursday, June 16th, 7–9pm at CHRISTINA RAY, located at 30 Grand Street in New York, NY.

Griffin and Rash take a refreshingly spontaneous approach to materials and form. Whether a cutting knife or charcoal, the tool at hand inspires quick and graphic bursts of expression – on found wood, cardboard, canvas or the wall. Intention is readily apparent and quick to read. Taking inspiration from the streets, where both artists have been known to work, the installation directly taps advertising and social media concerns while deftly sidestepping heavy diatribes. The result is an energetic sparring match between media and message, figuration and abstraction, illustration and painting.

Jason Douglas Griffin’s work borrows equally from classical portraiture, pop culture and street art – an intersection of cultures and ideologies that offers a fresh approach to the construction of identity. Found objects, collage, paint washes and silkscreen printing techniques factor into Griffin’s multi-dimensional and richly layered pieces. He is currently taking over Facebook with his 1 Million Ninjas Project: “Ninja-fying the world, One ‘Like’ at a time.” Griffin has exhibited with Leo Kesting in New York and his work has been included in numerous national and international group shows. In 2009 HarperCollins released a book of his work titled “My Name is Jason Too.” Griffin has been featured by The Washington Post, The Economist, NY Arts Magazine and more. He was born in 1981 in Maryland and currently lives and works in Queens, New York.

Danni Rash (b. 1983, Los Angeles) is a west coast transplant making his mark on New York. His CruciFICTION performance in Times Square and at the Fountain Art Fair last year caught the attention of the media along with the tourists. Dressed only in Calvin Klein underwear, the artist addressed the mass marketing of Jesus as a brand name. The project was featured by Brooklyn Street Art, The L Magazine, Wired New York, Flavorpill and more. Rash’s performative nature is readily apparent in his large-scale Action Painting-inspired works on paper and canvas. Visceral and dynamic, the work combines figuration with abstraction and often includes text in compositions that are both physically and emotionally engaging. Rash lives and works in Manhattan.


CHRISTINA RAY is an innovative gallery and creative catalyst in New York whose mission, grounded by the concept of psychogeography, is to discover and present the most important contemporary artwork exploring the relationship between people and places. For more information, visit www.christinaray.com.

Opening Reception: Thursday, June 16, 7–9pm
Exhibition Dates: June 16 – July 3, 2011
Location: 30 Grand Street, Ground Floor . Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6pm
Directions: A/C/E to Canal Street or 1 to Canal Street; gallery is located between Thompson Street and 6th Avenue
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