Navin Norling American, b. 1970

In his ongoing practice, Navin Norling examines classic Americana imagery and assembles miscellanea out of popular culture signifiers, sayings, folklore, and materialism. Both humorous and incisive, the painting-filled installations of Navin Norling juxtapose American cultural stereotypes, pop iconography, issues of race, gender, class, power, and economics. In his works, content-rich icons such as Moors, Black Power figures, consumer logos, blackface women, cheap signage, graffiti, and celebrities are layered one upon another in paintings that are stacked and hinged on the walls as charms. These pieces of rural debris tumble into the gallery space, creating a distinctly American cacophony. Drawing on a wide range of experiences, Norling's installations become a culmination of personal culture, and at times, a commentary on issues of power, class, geography, capitalism and inequality.