Seonna Hong
Richard Nickel
John Broadley
June 12 July 9, 2021
Whether it's Seonna Hong's neo-noir spin on mid-century modernism, Richard Nickel's Saturday-morning cartoon reimagining of 18th century decorative pottery, or John Broadley's snarky take on the 19th century dime novel, each artist manages to infuse nostalgic subjects with a fresh vibrancy that is undeniably contemporary.
About the artists
Seonna Hong, b.1973, was raised in Southern California and graduated with a B.A. in Art from Cal State University Long Beach. She continued to hone her craft teaching art to children for several years and then discovered the animation industry in 1998. Her quietly narrative paintings are often autobiographical and no doubt influenced by her time teaching as well as her work in TV and Feature animation. In 2004, she received an Emmy Award for Individual Achievement in Production Design for her work on “My Life as a Teenage Robot.” In 2006, she was the recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant. Her illustrated book, 'Animus' is in its third printing and according to Ken Johnson (The New York Times), "... the paintings are beautifully made and the imagery is mysteriously touching". Hong continues to show her work in shows and galleries around the world.
Richard Nickel is an artist, ceramicist and educator. Born in Rochester, NY in 1969, he was influenced by the comics, cartoons and creativity of the 1970s. He began drawing as a child, and these cultural elements inspired his drawing style, as well as his understanding of the world around him. Nickel received his Associate's in Fine Arts from Monroe Community College (Rochester) before attending SUNY Buffalo State, where he graduated with a BS in Art Education in 1996. He went on to attain a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2000, and later that year he began teaching Art Education and Ceramics at Valley City University in North Dakota.
In 2002, he began teaching at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where he has remained since. During his tenure he has served as Art Education Program Director and Assistant Professor of Ceramics and Arts Education. Presently he is an Associate Professor of Ceramics and Art Education.
As an artist, Nickel has been featured in exhibitions nationally and internationally. His work seeks to explore the role of humor in art to balance life's tragedies and provide a more well-rounded understanding of the human experience. "Art, like life, is a balance between comedy and tragedy. Shakespeare’s darkest plays were balanced with keen wit and humor. My intent in much of my artwork is to reveal the purpose of humor in art and to show that in art comedy and tragedy are dependent on each other for a deeper understanding of the human condition."
After a brief stint working as a freelance illustrator John Broadley began producing a series of hand-made books in tiny editions of as few as five copies. These were collected and published by Jonathan Cape as ‘John Broadley’s Books’ in 2010. He has also made books for other small-press producers, most notably Le Dernier Cri, which has released several ‘Wild For Adventure’ titles. In 2012 John became the in-house illustrator for the London restaurant Quo Vadis where his drawings appear on dozens of daily changing menus, tablecloths, the interiors and online. Since then he and have since worked for clients including Fortnum & Mason, Liberty London, Berry Bros & Rudd, Phaidon, The Fine Cheese Co, New York Times, Zuni Cafe San Francisco etc. In 2020 Broadley's first children’s picture book ‘While You’re Sleeping’ by Mick Jackson was published by Pavilion Books.
Education - 1988 - 1991 Liverpool Polytechnic - Graphic Design (BA Hons) Guest Tutor/Talks Royal College of Art London, Liverpool John Moore’s University, Birmingham University, Leeds University, Hereford College of Arts, University of Hertfordshire, Cambridge School of Art.
Selected Bibliography - John Broadley’s Books - Jonathan Cape (2010) The Illustrated Story of England by Christopher Hibbert - Phaidon (2016) While You’re Sleeping by Mick Jackson - Pavilion Children’s 2020 Published by Le Dernier Cri Wild For Adventure 1 - 2001 Wild For Adventure 2 - 2011 All Night Fear of the Future - 2013 Wild For Adventure 3 - 2016
