Smile Sometimes
Paintings by Tashawn “Waffle” Davis
September 7th-September 15th, 2019
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 7th, 6-9 PM
Peninsula Art Space– 352 Van Brunt St. Brooklyn, NY 11231
“Smile Sometimes,” featuring the work of Tashawn “Whaffle” Davis, is Peninsula’s inaugural Fall Incubator Project, a new annual event that will showcase a young, emerging, Brooklyn-based artist.
Born and raised in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Tashawn “Whaffle” Davis is a multi-disciplinary artist who brings together humor, historical reference and pop culture to explore a variety of cultural and socio-political issues.
In his paintings, Tashawn often returns to an imaginary pastoral landscape that he refers to as “Fernweh.” This rural setting provides a backdrop for surreal scenes and narratives that often include mythical creatures called “Squonks.” The Squonk – with its shapeless furry body, sad eyes and anthropomorphic qualities – creates a strange tension within the idealized landscape of Fernweh.
Interspersed with references to American history and popular culture, Tashawn’s paintings create compelling seriocomic explorations of the African American experience.
