Jennifer Catron & Paul Outlaw: Andlay of Ockaignecay

If there's anyone who can kick off an art exhibit with an X-factor, that would be Jennifer Catron and Paul Outlaw.  Allegra LaViola Gallery's talents have once again amused us with a Tableau vivant where this duo played Adam and Eve in a life-size canvas, Expulsion from the Garden.  Anyone who recently visited the 2011 Los Angeles Contemporary Art Fair were given a glimpse into the creative minds of these performing artists, whose digital artworks reflect that fun, comic manner in which they portray famous stories from World history books to the Holy Bible.

Whatever the title of this contemporary photograph meant, one thing's for sure, this work is a representation of Sloth, one of the seven deadly sins.  Just look at that able-bodied young man who's waiting for food to drop, for him to pick up... when he can easily stand up and get these for himself.  There's just food everywhere, littered around him, if he would only move away from lethargy and eat.  Perhaps, this is a nice allusion to the bounty of the feast in Jennifer and Paul's previous works.  In the end, the duo have achieved their goal of catching our attention – either we join or not, it's something for us to answer.

The hilarity of this work reminds me of ‘The Satyricon of Petronius,' when he slept all day and partied all night.  With today's hectic life, you can only wish even for a day of total disregard – of pure freedom and bliss.

The Genius Behind the Obra:

Jennifer Catron and Paul Outlaw both took their Masters in Fine Arts from Cranbook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  Jennifer Catron earned her Bachelor's in Fine Arts from the Southeast Missouri State University and Paul Outlaw earned his Bachelor's in Fine Arts from the University of Alabama.  The duo has been working for two years, combining art with food and live performances.  Their recent "Jen n Outlaw's Fish Fry Truck and Crawfish Boil" has been featured by Art Fag City, The New York Times, Time Out New York and Grub Street.  They are currently represented by Allegra LaViola Gallery.