Rene Ricard

PRESS RELEASE

Rene Ricard is an American poet and painter. Since the early 1970s, Ricard has been one of America's most controversial arbiters of taste.   

Ricard became part of the scene surrounding Warhol’s Factory. He appeared in such classic Warhol films as Kitchen and Chelsea Girls. As a performer, Ricard was a founding participant in the Theater of the Ridiculous, collaborating with John Vaccaro and Charles Ludlam. By the early 1980s Ricard achieved status in the art world through his influential essays. His editorials in Artforum magazine helped to catapult the careers of such artists as, Brice Marden, Keith Haring and Francesco Clemente to the forefront of the 80’s New York art scene.  In 1981 Ricard’s “The Radiant Child” appeared in Artforum magazine.  For most people, this was their first introduction to Jean-Michel Basquiat.

“What Every Young Sissy Should Know” will show a variety of Ricard’s work integrating imagery and the lyrics of his poems. This exhibition is curated by Vito Schnabel.  Schnabel, now 21 years old, curated his first exhibition at only 16 and has now independently presented the work of 11 artists with a passion far beyond his years. Following their joint success introducing to London the work of Vahakn Arslanian in 2007, Vito and Scream director, Tyrone Wood are pleased to present the first exhibition of Rene Ricard in the UK.

Notes on Scream:
Inspired by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood’s career as an internationally acclaimed artist, Scream, positioned in the heart of Mayfair opened in June 2006.  Owned by Ronnie Wood and run by curators Serena Morton and Tyrone Wood, Scream has showcased a unique selection of international and avant-garde talents from Dutch artist Ingrid Baars to British painters Damian Elwes and Rupert Shrive.

Over the past 18 months Scream has showcased a fresh stable of new and established talent and has since become recognised as a gallery possessing widespread appeal. Scream maintains that their inclusive philosophy applies both to artists and gallery customers.

Scream Gallery
34 Bruton Street
W1J 6QX London, UK