The Fragile Art of Existence: Skinner at The Shooting Gallery

This past Saturday at San Francisco’s Shooting Gallery, one of my very favorite personalities in the local art scene, Skinner, opened his latest solo show, The Fragile Art of Existence. Comprised of ten new paintings and a gallery-wide installation, the work is a window into a more mindful Skinner.

Fragile sees Skinner returning to White Walls almost exactly a year after This Fear You May Know, his nightmarish rumination on “how bizarre and strange the cultural fabric can become.” It’s emotionally and physically stressful to worry all the time (I should know), so Skinner decided to try out an “in the moment” mindset, which is reflected in the new paintings.

To a casual observer, the paintings may still convey a sense of horrific disorientation.

But there are also bunnies.

Skinner uses a combination of cel vinyl, airbrush and spraypaint to create a story in each painting. I found myself staring and contemplating the work as one might read the chapters in a book. Thinking is good. Skinner is good. To quote my esteemed colleague, Kirkland Jue:

His work seems more ethereal. Fewer hard edged geometrics and more wispy, airiness going on while still maintaining the appropriate amount of head-banging rage…I have a feeling SKINNER is going to be one of those artists that we all say, damn… could have had an original for $2,500 a few years ago. Now look at him….

Truth.

I’m not typically one who delves too far into the worlds of fantasy or sci-fi, and yet Skinner’s work continues to captivate me. The Fragile Art of Existence runs through August 27th at the Shooting Gallery (open Tuesday through Saturday, 12PM-7PM). Original paintings from the show are currently still available. Support your local art galleries and artists!

Click through for a full virtual view.