Have you ever seen Mickey Mouse smoking or Humpty Dumpty dressed up as an iron samurai? If you haven’t yet or are interested to see them up close, then this art exhibit is for you! New York-based Filipino pop appropriation artist Sean Go, who is known for his cheeky pop art style featuring iconic characters, is set to hold his first solo exhibition in the Philippines from June 25 to July 7 at The Secret Fresh Gallery in San Juan City.

The show, aptly called “Fallacies of Fantasy“, takes inspiration from childhood icons that have been playfully infused with modern pop culture, creating a whole new idealized abstraction of heroes, villains, fairytale endings, and even hope. Influenced by renowned abstract artists such as Ang Kiukok and Federico Alcuaz, as well as the likes of Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, Picasso, Maurizio Cattelan, and Daniel Arsham, Go’s works evoke childlike wonder and untamed creativity, inviting viewers to rediscover the magic of Disney icons and DC heroes through an entirely new lens.

“The pieces express childlike curiosities, and the show explores the possibilities that exist. At some point, we have to start looking at what’s real and not the projections in our heads. But it’s also optimistic that in this pop art universe, you can be whatever or whomever you want to be,” says Go.

Go’s famous pieces include Playmouse, which challenges what Disney films have taught viewers about idealism, and Humpty the Iron Samurai where tragedy is depicted as a catalyst for determination and resolve.

Born and raised in Manila, Go has a Masters of Art from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and degrees from Columbia, Emory, and UC Berkeley. Curious to explore different mediums, he plans to pursue a Master of Arts at Parsons Paris.

Prior to becoming a full-time artist, Go’s professional journey involved working in the finance sector for Fortune 500 companies. He was also an analyst at Ernst and Young in San Francisco, as well as Techstars Venture Capital in the USA. He founded the Berkeley Club of the Philippines, the official alumni club of UC Berkeley in Manila.

Fallacies of Fantasy will run starting 2:00 PM of June 25 to July 7 at Secret Fresh Gallery in Ronac Art Center, San Juan. Sean Go is represented by Derek Flores of DF Art Agency.

For inquiries about the exhibit, you may email secretfreshinfo@gmail.com.

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