Bread & Butter (with Tropical Drinks), 2023, Oil on canvas, 61x76.2cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
Renowned American artist Scott Reeder has made his solo debut in Korea with the exhibition Bread & Butter, hosted at Gallery JJ from August 23 to October 5, 2024. Known for his blend of humor and critical reflection on art history, Reeder’s work transcends the conventional boundaries of painting, sculpture, installation, and film. This exhibition marks a significant introduction of his work to Korean audiences, showcasing his iconic Image Painting series along with the Pasta Painting, Word Painting, and List Painting series.
Reeder, who is based in Chicago and Detroit, is celebrated for his use of comedic elements to challenge and subvert established cultural norms in art. His whimsical and humorous scenes—such as bread and butter sunbathing under palm trees or ice cream lounging absurdly on a tropical beach—are rendered in flat compositions and pastel tones, prompting viewers to rethink their assumptions about everyday objects and societal hierarchies. Reeder's work serves as a bridge between high and low art, offering both visual engagement and critical commentary on the absurdities of life.
Paradise, 2022, Oil on canvas, 61x91.4cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
One of the central themes of Reeder’s work is the anthropomorphization of mundane objects such as food. This motif is particularly evident in his Image Painting series, which he began around 2007. His depiction of anthropomorphized foodstuffs, such as bread, butter, and fruits, is both humorous and satirical. These inanimate objects, given life and personality, highlight the contradictions and absurdities of modern life, while also referencing renowned artistic figures such as Matisse and Picasso.
Reeder’s work also incorporates historical elements from modern art, merging them with contemporary humor and critique. His Pasta Painting series, for example, plays on the gravitas of abstract expressionism, juxtaposing Jackson Pollock’s action painting with seemingly trivial, everyday materials. By using raw and cooked pasta to create complex compositions, Reeder injects humor into traditionally serious forms of art, further blurring the line between high art and consumer culture.
Daylight, 2024, Oil on canvas, 61x50.8cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
In addition to painting, Reeder has made significant contributions to film and installation art. His 2014 sci-fi film Moon Dust and the 2008 Dark Fair, an art fair held without natural or electric light, showcase his versatility as an artist. These projects demonstrate Reeder’s ongoing exploration of societal critiques, particularly focused on consumerism, social hierarchies, and the commercialization of art.
The title of the exhibition, Bread & Butter, carries dual meanings. While referring to the literal subject matter of his paintings, it also symbolizes the essential aspects of daily life. Reeder’s artistic process begins with words drawn from a pre-written list, which serve as a foundation for his creative expression. From these words, he builds images that evolve, often incorporating elements of randomness and improvisation.
Bread & Butter (Pool with Pink Palms), 2023, Oil on canvas, 61x91.4cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
Reeder’s exploration of language is another key element of his work. His Word Paintings and List Paintings feature words as both visual and conceptual components, allowing for multiple interpretations based on the viewer’s perspective. By employing chance techniques, such as randomly selecting words or scattering pasta on the floor, Reeder echoes the methodologies of Dadaists and modernists like John Cage, embracing unpredictability in the artistic process.
This approach also reflects his deep engagement with the history of painting, as seen in his references to artists such as Philip Guston, David Hockney, and Man Ray. Reeder’s work serves as a playful yet critical commentary on the art world’s established hierarchies, questioning the boundaries between abstraction and representation, as well as high and low culture. His satirical and humorous take on modern and contemporary art history positions him as one of the most distinctive voices in the current art scene.
Through Bread & Butter, Reeder invites Korean audiences to engage with art in new and unexpected ways. By utilizing humor as both a lure and a tool for deeper social commentary, Reeder ensures that his work remains both accessible and thought-provoking, encouraging viewers to reconsider the values and conventions of contemporary life and art. This exhibition highlights not only his unique artistic vision but also his ability to communicate complex ideas through seemingly simple yet deeply layered visual language.
Pink Studio (by the sea), 2024, Oil on canvas, 50.8x76.2cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
Bread & Butter (with Tropical Drinks), 2023, Oil on canvas, 61x76.2cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
Renowned American artist Scott Reeder has made his solo debut in Korea with the exhibition Bread & Butter, hosted at Gallery JJ from August 23 to October 5, 2024. Known for his blend of humor and critical reflection on art history, Reeder’s work transcends the conventional boundaries of painting, sculpture, installation, and film. This exhibition marks a significant introduction of his work to Korean audiences, showcasing his iconic Image Painting series along with the Pasta Painting, Word Painting, and List Painting series.
Reeder, who is based in Chicago and Detroit, is celebrated for his use of comedic elements to challenge and subvert established cultural norms in art. His whimsical and humorous scenes—such as bread and butter sunbathing under palm trees or ice cream lounging absurdly on a tropical beach—are rendered in flat compositions and pastel tones, prompting viewers to rethink their assumptions about everyday objects and societal hierarchies. Reeder's work serves as a bridge between high and low art, offering both visual engagement and critical commentary on the absurdities of life.
Paradise, 2022, Oil on canvas, 61x91.4cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
One of the central themes of Reeder’s work is the anthropomorphization of mundane objects such as food. This motif is particularly evident in his Image Painting series, which he began around 2007. His depiction of anthropomorphized foodstuffs, such as bread, butter, and fruits, is both humorous and satirical. These inanimate objects, given life and personality, highlight the contradictions and absurdities of modern life, while also referencing renowned artistic figures such as Matisse and Picasso.
Reeder’s work also incorporates historical elements from modern art, merging them with contemporary humor and critique. His Pasta Painting series, for example, plays on the gravitas of abstract expressionism, juxtaposing Jackson Pollock’s action painting with seemingly trivial, everyday materials. By using raw and cooked pasta to create complex compositions, Reeder injects humor into traditionally serious forms of art, further blurring the line between high art and consumer culture.
Daylight, 2024, Oil on canvas, 61x50.8cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
In addition to painting, Reeder has made significant contributions to film and installation art. His 2014 sci-fi film Moon Dust and the 2008 Dark Fair, an art fair held without natural or electric light, showcase his versatility as an artist. These projects demonstrate Reeder’s ongoing exploration of societal critiques, particularly focused on consumerism, social hierarchies, and the commercialization of art.
The title of the exhibition, Bread & Butter, carries dual meanings. While referring to the literal subject matter of his paintings, it also symbolizes the essential aspects of daily life. Reeder’s artistic process begins with words drawn from a pre-written list, which serve as a foundation for his creative expression. From these words, he builds images that evolve, often incorporating elements of randomness and improvisation.
Bread & Butter (Pool with Pink Palms), 2023, Oil on canvas, 61x91.4cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
Reeder’s exploration of language is another key element of his work. His Word Paintings and List Paintings feature words as both visual and conceptual components, allowing for multiple interpretations based on the viewer’s perspective. By employing chance techniques, such as randomly selecting words or scattering pasta on the floor, Reeder echoes the methodologies of Dadaists and modernists like John Cage, embracing unpredictability in the artistic process.
This approach also reflects his deep engagement with the history of painting, as seen in his references to artists such as Philip Guston, David Hockney, and Man Ray. Reeder’s work serves as a playful yet critical commentary on the art world’s established hierarchies, questioning the boundaries between abstraction and representation, as well as high and low culture. His satirical and humorous take on modern and contemporary art history positions him as one of the most distinctive voices in the current art scene.
Through Bread & Butter, Reeder invites Korean audiences to engage with art in new and unexpected ways. By utilizing humor as both a lure and a tool for deeper social commentary, Reeder ensures that his work remains both accessible and thought-provoking, encouraging viewers to reconsider the values and conventions of contemporary life and art. This exhibition highlights not only his unique artistic vision but also his ability to communicate complex ideas through seemingly simple yet deeply layered visual language.
Pink Studio (by the sea), 2024, Oil on canvas, 50.8x76.2cm, Courtesy of Scott Reader
