The World of Coca-Cola is proud to present its newest special exhibit, Celebrating an Icon. Since its introduction in 1916, the Coca-Cola contour bottle has been a symbol of refreshment and moments of happiness. Over the years, its graceful, yet sturdy shape has inspired countless artistic interpretations.
This exhibit, on display through May 2010, features the work of five contemporary artists – from Georgia and California – whose distinctive visions capture the essence of this icon of popular culture. Featured artists include: Steve Penley, Gordon Chandler, Comer Jennings, Steve Kaufman and Burton Morris.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Steve Penley
Steve was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and grew up in Macon, Georgia before attending the University of Georgia and the School of Visual Arts in New York. He then returned to Atlanta and now lives in Carrollton, Georgia with his family.
Best known for his iconic portraits, Penley is one of America's most popular southern artists. His signature painting style incorporates bold color, strong brush strokes and vivid imagery. His work has been commissioned by prominent corporate and private collectors around the nation, including The Coca-Cola Company. Penley was selected as the official artist of the G-8 Summit on Georgia's Sea Island in 2004. He also received an official commendation from the Georgia State Senate in 2005.
In 2008, Penley displayed 15 works of art in the World of Coca-Cola Pop Culture Gallery for a special exhibit devoted to his work. This exhibit has since come to an end, but Penley's presence will remain within the World of Coca-Cola.
"Coca-Collage," a piece not found in Penley's solo exhibit, is featured in the World of Coca-Cola's newest special exhibit, Celebrating an Icon.
Gordon Chandler
Gordon Chandler has been living and working in Carrollton, Georgia for more than thirty years. Originally from Massachusetts, Chandler moved south after receiving his BFA in Sculpture from Syracuse University. He started W&P Builders in 1976, a construction company that manufactured welded steel woodstoves, and began equipping the studio that he still occupies today.
While Chandler was originally recognized for his functional pieces, he has since expanded his repertoire to include more sculptural work, such as kimonos fashioned from steel drums, and even some larger than life figurative works. Much of his work is inspired by traditional Southern collectibles; trophy deer heads, quilts and toys.
Chandler's display in the World of Coca-Cola Celebrating an Icon exhibit includes three pieces representative of a series of direct prints, made by inking glass Coca-Cola bottles and applying the paper directly to them. These prints include "3 Cokes," "Carrollton Coke" and "Three Color Cokes."
Comer Jennings
In a productive 45-year career as a visual artist in Atlanta, Comer Jennings has completed portrait commissions for some of the country's most prominent citizens. His portrait commissions total more than 750 over the span of his career.
A sampling of individual commissions includes: President Jimmy Carter, Mr. & Mrs. Bert Lance, Robert Woodruff, George Woodruff, Richard Woodruff, Mrs. George Wallace, Chet Atkins, Ambassador Philip Alston, Mrs. Ira Jackson, and Chief Justice Thomas O. Marshall.
Jennings has also created a large body of signature still life and abstract paintings, executed myriad public art projects, served as teacher and mentor to young artists and given freely of his expertise for charitable projects.
Jennings' painting "Split" is on display in the World of Coca-Cola Celebrating an Icon exhibit.
Steve Kaufman
At age eight, Steve Kaufman had his first art show at a Jewish Temple in the Bronx. As a student in the School of Visual Arts in 1981, Kaufman met Andy Warhol and became his assistant at the Factory. Warhol continued to be a source of inspiration for Kaufman's art work throughout the years.
Kaufman moved to Los Angeles in 1993, where he became heavily involved in philanthropy, lending support to more than 170 individual charities a year, including the employment of nearly 2,000 at-risk children and the homeless to assist him in his studio.
Highlights in Kaufman's career include: graphic creation for NBC's Saturday Night Live, a limited edition Campbell's Soup can to mark Campbell's 100th Anniversary, a commissioned portrait of Mohammed Ali for the 1996 Olympic Games and the inclusion of a personal portrait of Pope John Paul II to hang in his private office in the Vatican, to name a few.
Kaufman has four works of art on display in the World of Coca-Cola Celebrating an Icon exhibit including "Whistler's Mom," "American Gothic," "Mona Lisa" and "Coke Sculpture."
Burton Morris
Building on the legacy of Pop Art masters of the 1960s-70s, Artist Burton Morris presents his personal world of popular American icons that put a delightful spin on everyday objects and motifs. In his post-Pop style, Morris boldly projects an enticing mood of happiness, high energy and fun.
He first gained national attention in the 1990's when his artwork was chosen to hang on the set of the popular NBC series "Friends." Morris has created signature images for the 76th annual Academy Awards, the 38th Montreux Jazz Festival and the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Morris was also selected by the International Olympic Committee to create 36 original paintings regarding the spirit of the Olympic Games, featured in a one-man exhibition in Lausanne, Switzerland, during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
The World of Coca-Cola Celebrating an Icon exhibit features series of five paintings from Morris entitled "Can't Stop the Pop."
