Posted by: James St. James contact

Sarah Fawcett? Farrah Palin?

Back when we were doing the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery (so many years ago!), we often received Farrah-inspired art, regardless of the show's theme. And most of it was from the cutie-patootie artist Jamie Boling, who apparently had quite a crush. He saw her everywhere. Here she is as Sarah Palin. I love this. 



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Posted by: J2D3 contact

Gallery Scandal Presents a Sophie's Choice: Paris or Miley?

The night of the final art opening at the WOW Storefront Gallery was a big success. As usual, those in the know were treated to a fantastic party and the opportunity to purchase some provocative works of art at recession-sensitive prices.

Since this was the last show, I decided I had to get something. I narrowed my choices down to two (apparently) unsold paintings (pictured above). After much deliberation I decided to go with the Paris Hilton portrait over the Miley Cyrus.

I was happy with my decision and planned on bringing the painting home today, but something has come up. Apparently, Mr. Paul Soren (who writes the popular UK blog, the Anorak) claims to have commissioned the Paris Hilton portrait directly from the artist ages ago! She says that she had only recently gotten around to finishing the work, and that she didn't realize Paul still wanted it, so she put it up for sale with the rest of her pieces in the show. He says he tried all sorts of ways to get in touch with the gallery, and that he finally got through to James St. James over facebook... and he does indeed want his Paris Hilton portrait... I mean my Paris Hilton portrait!

I suppose the nice thing to do would be to settle for the Miley Cyrus painting and let this Paul Soren fellow have his Paris Hilton. After all, Miley looks like a worn-out junkie in this repainting of the famous, scandalous Annie Lebowitz portrait for Vanity Fair, and the addition of the Disney characters is delightfully risqué given the Mouse's penchant for suing over these sorts of things. Still, I'm having quite a lot of trouble letting go of Paris; it was such a struggle to decide, and now I've already paid for it... technically, Paris Hilton is MINE!

What to do? Help!

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Posted by: Michael Lucid contact

THE DAILY FREAK SHOW: JAMES GOES TO THE WOW GALLERY'S FINAL PARTY - '2 GIRLS 1 GALLERY'

At the opening party for World of Wonder Storefront Gallery’s final show “2 Girls, 1 Gallery” – featuring artists 14 and B. Calinsky – the crowd was lively and colorful, with co-curator James St. James holding court over the festivities.  When James shares a wistful moment reminiscing with wowlebrity and past WOW Gallery curator Danny Franzese, some drunk douchebags crash their conversation, but James handles the situation with his signature aplomb.



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Posted by: Thairin contact

2 Girls 1 Gallery: World of Wonder Gallery's last Art show

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW. The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery had its final event Friday night – "2 Girls, 1 Gallery" – with all sorts of crazy girl-on-gallery action madness. This is the last gallery montage you will ever have to watch... for now. (I heard we have a few more surprises coming your way.) :-) (Photos by Rolling Blackouts aka Gabe)




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Posted by: James St. James contact

Death of a Gallery

"Because the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery could not stop for Death,

The carriage held just the art

And immortality."

WORLD OF WONDER STOREFRONT GALLERY

In Memorium

July 2007- June 2009

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Posted by: Stephen Saban contact

Storefront Gallery to Become Storefront

Photos from the penultimate exhibit at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery, the "Bettie Page: Heaven Bound" show, decorate a post today on the LAist website. The site's Julie Wolfson reports: "As the Bettie Page show closed, the staff got the gallery ready for their final show in the space. After the run of 14 from Gallery of the Absurd, the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery will close. The space will reopen at the end of the month as the Bettie Page Clothing company.... The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery will be missed by all of the people who have counted on them to showcase some of the most colorful and creative art in the city." (Photo by Tom Andrews)

The "2 Girls, 1 Gallery" show, featuring the art of 14 and Rebecca Calinsky, begins tonight with an open bar from 8PM to 11PM and will continue through June 15 – the show, that is, not the open bar. Gallery hours are noon to 6PM, Tuesday through Saturday. 6650 Hollywood Boulevard.

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Posted by: James St. James contact

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!

It's the day before the last gallery exhibit here at the WOW Storefront Gallery, and I SEEM TO BE A BIT BEHIND in my curatorial duties. I feel lost, bewildered, overcome with ennui and despair. A pervading sense of hopelessness has gripped me. I don't know where to begin, or how to hang a damn thing. Will I get it together in time? Will the show go on as planned? Or will I just fall into a k-hole and say fuck it? I guess you'll just have to show up tomorrow night and see.



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Posted by: James St. James contact

The Mysterious Artist 14 Arrives at the WOW Storefront Gallery

Gallery preparations for tomorrow night's FINAL party are in full gear. Here the super-secretive, ultra-reclusive artist 14 from Gallery of the Absurd shows us a new Britney she's about to hang.

(photo: Joey DiConcetto) 

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Posted by: James St. James contact

2 Girls, 1 Gallery: meet WOW artist 14

As its LAST SHOW, the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery is proud to showcase new art by the artist 14, from Gallery of the Absurd.  The Gallery of the Absurd was established in 2005 to showcase the satirical celebrity gossip-inspired illustrations of the artist known as 14. Fascinated by the sensational hype and commentary generated by the glossy supermarket tabloids and gossip blogs, she began a project to document and illustrate the narratives as they unfolded.

It's not just gossip that inspires 14, it's the way the celebrities themselves behave in the public eye. Oversized egos, bloated notions of entitlement, drunken panty-less starlets, and other unsavory attention-craving antics also serve as fodder for 14's pen. She delights in the fact that the celebrities themselves create their own twisted caricatures and all she has to do is sit back and draw them.

Her blog and illustrations have been featured in the Sunday New York Times, as well as the NY Post, the UK Sun, Star magazine, YRB, and in dozens of magazines and newspapers around the world. Additionally, her work has been seen in several TV shows such as E!’s Daily 10, and is often used illegally and without permission as opening graphics in select gossip TV shows in Germany. She lives in San Francisco.

And once again, let me remind you: the FINAL party at the World of Wonder Storefront gallery will be this Friday, June 5th. Friday's reception will feature an open bar from 8-11PM, and the show continues until 6/15 with viewing hours from 12PM to 6PM, Tuesday through Saturday, during which artworks are available for purchase.

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Posted by: James St. James contact

2 Girls, 1 Gallery: meet WOW artist B. Calinsky

Los Angeles-based artist Rebecca Calinsky explores the phenomenon of pets as accessories in her sexually charged series "Porno Pop."  In contemporary culture, small animals peering out of the purses of starlets are symbols of status, playing up the wealth of the affluent. Calinsky shows us that cuddly creatures take on a different role when coupled with more provocative subjects. In her works, overtly eroticized figures transform pets into vacant-eyed sexual objects, abetting in their owners' indecency. The animals' function as a status symbol is unhinged in a ridiculous display of carnal desire.

And just a reminder, the FINAL World of Wonder Storefront Gallery show, "2 Girls, 1 Gallery," will open this Friday, 8-11PM, with an open bar, and continues for 10 more days through 6/15, with opening hours of 12PM - 6PM, Tuesday through Saturday, during which artworks are available for purchase. 

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Posted by: James St. James contact

the last picture show

Yes, I'm afraid it's true. Friday night is, indeed, the opening of LAST exhibition at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery. The show is entitled "2 Girls, 1 Gallery" and features a little girl-on-girl-on-gallery action with the artists 14 (from Gallery of the Absurd) and B. Calinsky. More detailed information in the days to come, but get here early. The party is from 8-11 PM, and everybody is welcome. In addition to celebrating new works by 14 and B. Calinsky, we want to personally thank every artist, every gallery-goer, and every friend of WOW who has made the last two years so amazing. Lots of tears, lots of hugs, and lots of booze. In that order.



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Posted by: Michael Lucid contact

'BETTIE PAGE: HEAVEN BOUND' CLOSING PARTY

At the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's closing party for the "Bettie Page: Heaven Bound" show on Saturday night, the crowd was festive and Bettie Page hairdos abounded.  Among the fun, colorful party-goers were featured artist Olivia, guest curator Lenora Claire, Joe Dallesandro, James St. James and many more.



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Posted by: James St. James contact

Bettie Page: Heaven Bound Closing Night Party

Yesterday, Stephen Saban posted the following item. I just wanted to pound it into your head a couple more times.

"On Saturday, May 30, the "Bettie Page: Heaven Bound" show at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery comes to an end. As a final sendoff, we'll be hosting a Bettie Page lookalike contest judged by the show's curator Lenora Claire, RuPaul's Drag Race panelist Santino Rice, and legendary Andy Warhol superstar Joe Dallesandro. "Like Bettie," says Lenora, "Joe was a muse who redefined sexuality for an entire generation." (We hope to see you arrive dressed to thrill; prizes include gift certificates for the Bettie Page store and assorted Page paraphernalia.) Also that night, which gets underway at 8PM and continues until 11PM, Bettie Page artist Olivia will be signing copies of her books. They're real Page-turners."

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Posted by: Stephen Saban contact

Turning the Page

On Saturday, May 30, the "Bettie Page: Heaven Bound" show at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery comes to an end. As a final sendoff, we'll be hosting a Bettie Page lookalike contest judged by the show's curator Lenora Claire, RuPaul's Drag Race panelist Santino Rice, and legendary Andy Warhol superstar Joe Dallesandro. "Like Bettie," says Lenora, "Joe was a muse who redefined sexuality for an entire generation." (We hope to see you arrive dressed to thrill; prizes include gift certificates for the Bettie Page store and assorted Page paraphernalia.) Also that night, which gets underway at 8PM and continues until 11PM, Bettie Page artist Olivia will be signing copies of her books. They're real Page-turners. (Photo: Selene Luna as Bettie Page by Austin Young) 



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Posted by: Michael Lucid contact

THE DAILY FREAK SHOW: JAMES GOES TO THE 'BETTIE PAGE: HEAVEN BOUND' OPENING PARTY

At the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's opening party for the "Bettie Page: Heaven Bound" show, James immerses himself in lovely ladies - Dita Von Teese, guest curator Lenora Claire and featured artist Olivia, plus an illustrious guest list -- Julie Newmar, Cassandra Peterson, Mamie Van Doren, Santino Rice, Perez Hilton, Bobby Trendy, Annie Flanders, Jared Gold, Mathu Anderson, Selene Luna, Calpernia Addams, Squeaky Blonde, Tequila Mockingbird, Ginger Coyote, Hollywood Blvd.'s Superman, Dollhouse Dude and many more.



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