Art: Eric Yahnker is back with a brilliant and timely examination of American culture and society

Date
12 September 2013

With the unfurling discussion surrounding the USA’s place in the world in relation to events in Syria, the time is ripe for a coruscating exploration of contemporary American culture and society. Few artists working today are more adept at such an exploration as the mercurial Eric Yahnker, whose work jabs, laughs at, questions, ridicules and satirically mythologises the Land of the Free.

His new show in Los Angeles is called Ebony & Beenghazi and aims to analyse “the Western world’s fixation on choice and its increasingly polarising ramifications.”

And so God become a box-office staple as Kate Winslet in a Titanic inspired painting, WonderWoman and Superman swap gender roles, nationalistic statements are reappropriated to bewildering ends and Hilary Clinton and Stevie Wonder are brought together (at last).

There are times I’ll admit when I am pretty mystified by what point Eric is making, but when he resonates he is one of the most exhilarating creative minds around, harnessing his talents to big, important questions.

Eric Yahnker: Ebony & Benghazi runs until October 12 at the Ambach & Rice Gallery.

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Eric Yahnker: Jugs of Steel (A Cold Day In Hell)

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Eric Yahnker: Woolly Woman

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Eric Yahnker: Amen. Almond.

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Eric Yahnker: Da Smiffs

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Eric Yahnker: John Travolta

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Eric Yahnker: Billrise

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Eric Yahnker: 2 Butts/2 Nuts

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Eric Yahnker: Ebony & Benghazi

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Eric Yahnker: Never Forget

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Eric Yahnker: Suncatcher in the Rye

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Eric Yahnker: Mood Piece (Play It Again, Sam)

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Eric Yahnker: Vulcan Leather (Ball Hawk & Prosper)

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Eric Yahnker: Freedom From Fear (Lead Me)

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Eric Yahnker: Kings Of The World

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About the Author

Rob Alderson

Rob joined It’s Nice That as Online Editor in July 2011 before becoming Editor-in-Chief and working across all editorial projects including itsnicethat.com, Printed Pages, Here and Nicer Tuesdays. Rob left It’s Nice That in June 2015.

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