Streams Gallery is delighted to present the solo exhibition “Good Luck • Have Fun” by Chicago artist Blake Jones. This exhibition will take place from August 4th to August 20th, 2023, marking the artist’s first solo exhibition in Asia. Showcasing Blake’s illustrations with the iconic “bunny” character, these bunnies boldly leap into our presence, questioning us about whether pure happiness truly exists in the world and what form it takes. If these questions remain unanswered for now, let us accept the gifts bestowed upon us by the artist through his works – joy, luck and delight.
How has your day been? Are you troubled by similar concerns? The end of a relationship has left you at a loss; lofty dreams struggle to set sail, crushing your beliefs; the departure of a loved one sets you on a mournful journey, or perhaps the taste of betrayal has robbed you of the courage to trust others? Humanity is destined to experience a wide range of emotions, and we cannot predict when peculiar circumstances will unexpectedly enter our lives. Destiny does not easily allow us to escape the trials and lessons specific to our individual journeys. Blake Jones has long been aware of this reality, understanding that his life must encompass both hardship and trials, moments of sadness and despair. But does this mean we willingly succumb to being overcome and shattered by fate? The artist shares, “Even if everything on Monday feels sad and disheartening, why not continue to focus on ourselves and our own happiness?”
This exhibition takes us further into Blake’s world where he reinterprets elements and nature between emotions and colours. He points out that while blue usually intended to express a sense of sadness or despair, the characters in some of his larger works with a blue background remain undisturbed by external influences as they immerse themselves in love and dance, fully enjoying the pleasure within. The artist aims to highlight that happiness and absurdity, joy and sorrow are two sides of the same coin, inseparable. In life, heaviness exists because of lightness, the meaning and value of the antonyms is to make both ends significant. “In this uncertain period, it is better to focus more on ourselves with positive feelings and emotions.
In Blake Jones’ works, he habitually speaks through bunnies with large ears, bright eyes, and expressive faces. However, a glimpse into his past works reveals that these little bunnies have been striving to show their joys, angers, sorrows, and laughter before others, showcasing the artist’s absolute sincerity. The artist enjoys expressing his emotions without reservation through the identity of others. In this solo exhibition, he once again pours out all his emotions, using the canvas and bunnies to tell the audience with great force: “This is the evidence of striving to live and the posture of living.
