Craig Calderwood

Too Gay to Live, Too Gay to Die

Opening Reception: Saturday August 24th, 6 – 9pm  

In the second half of the main space, Guerrero Gallery will present Too Gay to Live, Too Gay to Die, a solo exhibition by San Francisco based artist Craig Calderwood. This selection of drawings and paintings pull from two bodies of work. One being a continuation of drawings done between 2011-2013, focusing on how one negotiates shame and desire around the body. The other being a newer body of work that looks at how one mitigates reality and explores identity through roleplaying. These two together compliment each other as at their core they are about managing life through somatic and psychic acts. Both sets of works (one rendered in ink and the other in crafting paints on fabric) express their narratives through mild gestures and dense ornamentation continuing the artist’s habit of coding work with both personal and historical symbols and patterns. These images, while some are sexually graphic, express a kind of Love and way of being that only exists when one begins to let their shame slough off, where for a moment the body becomes lightsome and the strain of reality loosens.

Craig Calderwood, "You can tell by the beast between her legs", Pen on watercolor, 11” x 14”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "Sugar Water", Pen on watercolor paper, 11” x 14”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "Urinal Cakes", Pen on Watercolor Paper, 11” x 14”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "A DEVELOPED FEAR OF OMNIPOTENCE", Pen on Watercolor Paper, 11” x 14”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "RING WORM INSPECTION", Pen on watercolor paper, 11” x 14”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, LOCKER ROOM CLAIRVOYANCE, 11 x 14 in, Pen on Watercolor paper, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "DOUBLE D’S", Pen on Watercolor Paper, 11” x 14”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "UNTITLED (SPOON READING)", Dimensional Paint, Vinyl, Denim, Wood, Thread, Grommets, 49” x 58”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "GOOD INTENTIONS", Dimensional Paint, Upholstery Fabric, Spray paint, Chip Clips, 26” x 29”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "PALM HAIR", Dimensional Paint, Jessica Simpson Sweater, Grommets, House Paint, 22.5” x 27”, 2019

Craig Calderwood, "URN FOR DADDY", Dimensional Paint, Vinyl, Denim, Thread, 11.25” x 12”, 2019