Princes, Crows Invade Greenpoint

Overheard at the opening reception for "Princes & Crows" at the New General Catalog gallery in Greenpoint, Brooklyn: "Any painting that combines a rooster, a banjo, a tambourine-playing raccoon, and an Aunt Jemima coffee mug is a timeless classic in my book." My sentiments exactly. This series of portraits by Alix Soubiran - designed to "awaken the winter spell" - was influenced by the artist's recent introduction to psychedelic music, particularly the late-sixties band Love. Soubiran's colorful, engaging paintings have a depth and warmth largely absent from the fantasy genre's druggier works, and depict a cast of princes (mostly acquaintences) lost in quiet contemplation in a parallel world where angels hover in the air, chandeliers dangle from trees, and curious animals look on in wonder. The paintings serve as a release for the Paris-born artist, who now resides in Orlando, Florida. While she supports herself by creating murals for high-end residences, customer demands can sometimes stifle her creative soul. "One client asked me to paint little cherubs on the ceiling, but he wanted me to cover up their nakedness, for modesty's sake," she explained in an adorable French accent. "As if his own daughters weren't running around with thongs pulled up to here, and lowrider pants down to there." She declined the job, but here's hoping it inspires her next show. "Princes & Crows" runs through April 15.

New General Catalog
Alix Soubiran

[Text+Photo: Victor Ozols]

Previously: Malma/MoMa Amor, Dr. Sketchy: When Art School Meets Burlesque, Juddging You Softly, I Saw Cat Power Leaping From Building to Building