July 13th - August 13th, 2018. Opening reception: July 13th, 7 - 10pm.

AM Gallery is pleased to present Wiggle Room, the first exhibition of Vanessa Davis in Los Angeles. As a professional comic artist, illustrator, and humorist, Davis explores personal themes surrounding her culture, identity, and relationships. 

Over the past two years her practice has expanded in size and scope to include large scale charcoal and pastel drawings. Significantly taller than the artist herself, these new works present the same characters from the world of her comics, which, through their massive size and simple though pungent coloring, confront the viewer with a moment of intimacy. Due to their unexpected posturing, and apparent ignorance of many watchful eyes, it remains unclear whether the viewer is being intrusive or intruded upon. The voyeuristic ambiguity of these scenes highlight common, through rarely represented, moments of privacy and vulnerability within the everyday.

By presenting collections of her comics alongside her more recent investigation of portraiture and static imagery, Davis provides viewers with a composite visual and textual narrative through which to more deeply engage with her personal history, that of her characters, and the quality of her practice. 

Davis is the author of two books, including graphic novels and collections of her comics, most notably, Spaniel Rage (reissued, Drawn & Quarterly, 2017) and Make Me a Woman (Drawn & Quarterly, 2010). Her work has been prominently featured in The New York Times, The Paris Review, Tablet Magazine, and Sponge Bob Comics.

Vanessa Davis lives and works in Los Angeles, California.