Critic’s Choice: Paul Pascal Theriault: Turning everyday junk into childlike wonder
The materials that make up Paul Pascal Theriault’s little assemblages at the Los Angeles gallery Grice Bench can be found in trash cans just about anywhere: cigarette packs, paper cups, plastic spoons, dirty napkins, sandwich wrappers, rubber bands, nail polish bottles and Band-Aids -- name brand and generic.
But trash is not the only ingredient that goes into the L.A. artist’s weirdly endearing works. Small quantities of home improvement supplies, such as cement, wire, plywood and lumber, add heft and purposefulness to his ramshackle assemblages.
The combination of junk picking, home maintenance and school projects gives Theriault’s works uncanny resonance. Unlike many assemblages, which rub your nose in ugliness to make it painfully clear that life isn’t pretty, his odd constellations beautify their surroundings.
Grice Bench, 915 Mateo St., No. 210, Los Angeles, (213) 488-1805, through March 12. Closed Sundays and Mondays. www.gricebench.com
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