This Light Never Goes Out:
Political Cartoons by Jim Carrey
Thought-provoking Jim Carrey exhibition premieres June 20 at the Phi Centre
Poignant cartoons explore the role of the artist in political discourse
Jim Carrey is known to most people as a comedic genius on the silver screen, but since 2016, his Twitter feed has been the canvas for a series of satirical and subversive cartoons, penned in response to headlining news. As part of Phi’s commitment to celebrating technology-based media, the arts centre will present the world premiere of This Light Never Goes Out, featuring over 50 of Jim Carrey’s works in an exhibition running from June 20 to September 1, 2019.
Phoebe Greenberg, Founder and Director of Phi explains: “We are privileged to present Jim Carrey’s delicate composition of drawings on paper conveying his indignation of the present political climate since the inauguration of the current President of the United States. We are pleased to be presenting these works chronologically illustrating Carrey’s use of the social media platform Twitter as an effective dissemination tool.”
Uniquely defined by its own digital context, Jim Carrey’s art follows the long tradition of social and political satire made prominent by British caricaturist James Gillray in the late 18th century.
I love them. As twisted, bleak, gaudy, inflicted, indignant, and furious as they are.
– Jerry Saltz, senior art critic, New York magazine
The cartoons assail members of the American political Right, many who are abusing their political power to call on Twitter to ban Jim Carrey for his drawings. Combining artistic talent with a social message, the exhibition demonstrates how creative civic engagement can influence public debate, a theme that runs through all exhibitions at Phi this summer. “I don’t hate the subjects of my cartoons. I hate their unconsciousness,” says Jim Carrey. “Expressing my feelings of outrage through my art on social media has allowed me to stand in solidarity with millions of kindred spirits.”
Jim Carrey’s works are potent. They can offer comedic relief and ignite activism through their honesty and rawness.
About Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey is an award-winning actor and emerging visual artist. His political drawings have been hailed by Jerry Saltz, senior art critic and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for New York magazine who stated, “I love them. As twisted, bleak, gaudy, inflicted, indignant, and furious as they are.” His most recent solo show, IndigNATION: Political Drawings by Jim Carrey, 2016-2018 was exhibited at Maccarone Gallery in Los Angeles. He is also the subject of the documentary Jim Carrey: I Needed Color, which explores his life as an artist.
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Image: This Light Never Goes Out, by Jim Carrey
Read also: other articles on Centre Phi
Phi is a multidisciplinary arts and culture organization dedicated to art in all its forms that cultivates all aspects of creation, development, production and dissemination. Phi is at the intersection of art, film, music, design and technology. Through eclectic programming and a strong emphasis on content creation, Phi fosters unexpected encounters between artists and audiences. Headquartered at the Phi Centre in Montreal Canada, Phi was created by Director and Founder Phoebe Greenberg.
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