Carol Powell: Time to Make the Donuts

bG Gallery, Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Ave., #A2, Santa Monica, CA 90404
In-Person Viewing launch by Appointment: Saturday, November 14, 2:00 – 5:00 PM PST (groups of no more than 7 at a time)
Virtual Opening Reception 5-7pm : https://zoom.us/j/7529564029
bG Gallery presents a long awaited solo exhibit by artist Carol Powell, Time to Make the Donuts. The title taken by the cult classic Dunkin Donuts advertisement slogan, this series parodies nostalgic advertising from the 50’s-80’s replacing advertising subjects with donuts. A baker’s dozen of painstaking thin threaded embroideries are accompanied by drawings and plush sculptures. A touch of punk ethos is sewn into the works with many of the titles of the works referencing punk songs and the donut itself being the result of a vision inspired by the punk band Alice Donut.
About Carol
Powell has been exploring embroidery textile and fabric art for over 20 years and was a forerunner of the recent embroidery explosion in popularity. Carol’s work is an exploration of uncontrollable circumstances; the mixed media work is humorous, tragic and autobiographical. Powell mixes dry irony about her life conditions (including her struggle with diabetes, being ironically unable to eat the sweet treats she depicts) and social observation with nostalgic story-book style imagery. They are a mix of fabrics, paint, marker and collage. She has been influenced by many, contemporary, folk, and commercial artists and inspired by children’s books, Eastern Indian paintings and textiles. Her artwork has been shown and held in various collections including the Santa Barbara Museum and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and the Santa Monica Museum of Art.