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Humor and a playful approach mixed with a darker side are ever present in Allen Grubesic’s works. Inspired by the absurdities of everyday life and popular culture his sculptures, silk-screens, photographs, and objects present interpretations of a twisted world.

Displacements of meaning are often created, as in his new sculpture series Unknown Pleasures, which partially refers to a campaign Partnership for a Drug-Free America launched for TV in 1987. The American actor John Roselius stands in a kitchen while he asks the question ”Is there anyone out there who still isn’t clear about what doing drugs does?”. Holding up an egg he continues ”This is your brain”, he then points to a frying pan saying ”This is drugs”. He cracks the egg into the hot pan, holds it up for the camera and notes ”This is your brain on drugs”. Roselius then looks into the camera and ends with the words ”Any questions?”.

The campaign was made in a slightly different version ten years later with Rachael Leigh Cook with a focus on heroin addiction. This time Leigh Cook slams the frying pan on the egg illustrating the same principle as Roselius. She then continues "And this is what your family goes through! And your friends! And your money! And your job! And your self-respect! And your future!” while she smashes the whole kitchen with the frying pan. The campaign is considered to be one of the most seen of all times. Countless parodies have been made of it in TV series, movies, song lyrics and more.

In Closer to God and Staring at the Sun, monumental brass hooks lure and threaten at the same time with their perfect golden glossy surface and pointed sharpness. The titles remind of religious mortification rituals, achieving forgiveness of sins and a state of bliss through self-punishment. The step is not far to the zealous self-analysis we expose ourselves to in our pursuit to appear perfect in the eyes of the world.

Oslo Kunstforening is supported by the City of Oslo and the Norwegian Cultural Council. A special thank you to Gallery Niklas Belenius, Stockholm.