Todd Schorr

Todd Schorr is one of the group of Pop Surrealists, some call it lowbrow art, who have nudged their way past the guards at the door of fine art. As long as there has been art, there has been controversy over what subject matter is acceptable to be used in a work of fine art. The pop surrealists often take a very traditional approach with the techniques they use to creating their works; but the use of icons from popular consumerism is the surprising element in their art. The take on the symbols also comes from a different direction than the Pop artist of the 60's approached their art. I never got the impression that Warhol, Rauchenberg or Lichtenstein really loved the place from where their images came from. They seemed to be more pointing an accusing finger at popular culture or simply mining it for material more that celebrating it.

Hiawatha Encounters the Flying Purple People Eater, 2002, is a great example of Todd Schoor pulling memories from the his past and showcasing them. I can see Schorr's joyful interpretation of a Big Daddy Roth styled Purple People Eater and Disney's animated Hiawatha cartoon here. The overall burnt umber wash add to the theme of memories and of giving age to the icons of us who were around in the last half of the 20th century - watching cartoons on television, eating cereal and playing with a Slinky, Mr. Potato Head, or Aurora monster model kit.

In Schorr's 2006 acrylic on canvas, A Pirate's Treasure Dream, you have a Hieronymus Bosch like image with icons that we, in the 20th and 21st centuries, can identify and relate to.

One the refreshing things I find about these artists is there openness and honesty in being interested in marketing and making a living with their art. Designing toys or selling giglee prints to support themselves as artists are acceptable outlets for them.