NEW ROCHELLE, NY.- 3rd Rail Studio is excited to announce its upcoming exhibition Pot Shots at Hot Shots, a humorous look at some of the worlds most infamous artists. Over twenty artists are exhibiting work in various media that has been inspired by glorified works of present day artists and historical masters.

Renowned artists are critically acclaimed and respected by the general population. Their body of work is considered remarkable and an important contribution to the art world. However, while some admire them others reject them. Whether motivated by feelings of jealousy, frustration or general dislike, the work in Pot Shots at Hot Shots pokes fun at popular artists who some consider overrated and undeserved.

Having been deemed by NY Times critic Michael Kimmelman as “the most important American artist of his generation,” Matthew Barney’s “ The Cremaster Cycle” is the target of mockery by artist Geoff Baird. In Baird’s series “Rolls Eyes” he presents five encaustic and pigment prints on canvas that feature his alter ego GRB, a world wrestling champion, interacting with Cremidget, a little person effigy of Barney’s Loughton Candidate character. Andy Warhol, who is acknowledged as one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, is also the focus of imitation in New York artist Richard Jochum’s “Pop Penis.” Jochum pokes fun at the pop culture that makes porn a widespread phenomenon and transforms the penis into an instant celebrity with his series of Warhol stylized penis prints.

Some of the work in Pot Shots at Hot Shots comments on the financial motivations behind contemporary art. Westchester artist Robert Perucci attacks sculptor Tom Otterness in “Crushed”, a bronze sculpture of a cartoonish character, similar to Otterness’ trademark rotund figures, sitting on and ultimately crushing a foundry. James Owen Calderwood of New Hampshire has chosen to mock Damien Hirst, who has become the most expensive living artist with the sale of his piece “For the Love of God.” While Calderwood does not provide an actual human skull covered in diamonds, he does offer a simple drawing of a skull with an astronomical price tag attached. Michael Lazar and Marc Lewis of Tel Aviv, Israel also comment on Hirst and his profitable “carcass suspended in formaldehyde” technique with their digital image of a dollar bill enclosed in a glass case.

While contemporary art is clearly represented in Pot Shots at Hot Shots, several artists have chosen to parody modern artists and Old Masters. Maryland artist Shawn Beeks remakes works by Vermeer and Waterhouse transforming the figures into zombies. Ryan Cronin of New Paltz, NY painted embellishments onto a print of Goya’s “Don Manuel Osorio” and titled it “Boy In Dress.” And in his attempt to make art laughable, Connecticut artist Tony Juliano incorporates modern day situations and images in his recreated versions of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” and Munch’s “The Scream”.

Pot Shots at Hot Shots is a provocative exhibit that comments on the state of art today and reflects on masterpieces from the past. “Pot Shots is one of our most exciting exhibits at 3rd Rail Studio,” notes Executive Director Christine Milo. Milo added, “While the work exhibited is clearly humorous and entertaining, it also challenges art that is considered great and as a result reveals the exceptional craftsmanship of emerging artists.” Whether it is through admiration or aversion, artists are always inspired by other artists. It is with our constant need to question and perfect that we will continue to push the boundaries of contemporary art.

Pot Shots at Hot Shots opens March 8 with a free reception from 7:00-9:00PM which is open to the public. The exhibit runs from March 8 – April 12. Located in New Rochelle, NY, at 49 Plain Avenue, 3rd Rail Studio is easily accessible by Metro North train or car.

Participating Pot Shot artists: Geoff Baird, Shawn Beeks, James Owen Calderwood, Ryan Cronin, Seth Endo, Theresa Gooby, Tim Grajek, Mikhail Gubin, Sandra Henke, Richard Jochum, Tony Juliano, Sky Kim, Cynthia Lawson-Jaramillo, Michael Lazar, Marc Lewis, Aidan Moran, Robert Perucci, Lisa Post, Ari Richter, Scott Seaboldt, Liz Squillace, Jordan Starr-Bochicchio, Jamie Vandenberg, Josh Winegar.