Brick Is Red 
January 26 - February 23, 2025


Brick is Red  is borrowed from the title of the closing track of The Pixies’ iconic 1988 album Surfer Rosa. The phrase "brick is red"—often associated with sturdiness, strength, and reliability—stands in stark contrast to the cryptic imagery in the song’s lyrics. This juxtaposition reflects the expansive scope of the color red and its enduring presence in art throughout history. Red holds a uniquely evocative place, not only due to its vivid hue but also because of its profound symbolism, encompassing themes of death, love, power, and revolution. These associations span diverse cultures and resonate deeply on both a symbolic and psychological level. The artworks featured in this exhibition range from a physical ceramic brick, to depictions of the devil’s iconic red and utilitarian objects such as the Swiss Army knife.

Featured artists from the Couper Russ collection are: Helm Ruifrok, Jono Rotman, JK Russ, Matthew Couper, Paul Maseyk, Peter Ireland, Ripper Jordan, R.A. Miller, Tony de Lautour, Unidentified Mexican artists, Victor Berezovsky, Victorinox, Wegner and W.D. Hammond, alongside recent works by Jerry Misko, Joseph Valencia and Wendy Kveck.
​Wendy Kveck, 'Madwoman', 2012, Oil on canvas, 20” x 16”
Tony ​de Lautour, 'Dreadnought / Fear Nothing', 1997, Synthetic polymer and varnish on found wood, 2 ½”x 8 ½” x ¾”
Jono Rotman,​ 'Mongrelism', 2018, Publication, 10 ¼” x 8 ¼” x 1 ⅛”
Joseph Valencia,​ 'Untitled', 2021, Paper Collage, 9 ½” x 7 ½”
W.D. Hammond,​ 'Volcano Cafe / Lava Bar', 1994, Screenprint on paper, 30” x 23 ¼”
Matthew Couper​, 'Suprematist Scream', 2006, Oil on three canvases, 28” x 26 ½”
Unidentified Mexican Artist​, 'The Tongue of St John of Nepomuk', c. mid 20th century, Polychromy, silver and gold leaf on carved wood, 11 ½” x 8” x 2”
R.A. Miller,​ 'Untitled (Devil)', c. 2002, Enamel on found sheet metal, 57 ½” x 13”
Unidentified Mexican Artist​, (Signed L. Zamov), 'Untitled (Devil on the toilet)' c. 20th century, Oil on black velvet, 23 12/2” x 17 ¾”
Unidentified Mexican Artist​, 'La Santisima Trinidad', c. late 19th century, Oil on tin in nicho frame with reverse glass paneling, 20” x 12 ½”
Unidentified Mexican Artist,​ 'La Santisima Trinidad', c. late 19th century, Oil on tin, 14” x 10”
Unidentified Mexican Artist​, attributed to the Master of the Refugio, 'La Vendimia Mistica', c. late 19th century, Oil on tin, 15 ¼” x 11 ½”
Unidentified Mexican Artist​, attributed to the Master of the Refugio, 'San Ramon Nonato', c. late 19th century, Oil on tin, 17 ½” x 13 ½”
Peter Ireland,​ 'The Fifteenth Judgment (Blood)', 1976, Oil on hardboard, 22 ⅜” x 26 ¾”
JK Russ, 'Ruby as Little Red Riding Hood', 2002, C-type photograph, 9 ½” x 13”
Unidentified Mexican Artist​, 'Untitled (Milagros on velvet cross)', Early 20th century, Cast zinc and tin on velvet, 13” x 9 ¾”
Victor Berezovsky, 'Idolator', 2007, Glazed ceramic plate, 11 ½” x 11 ½”
Unidentified Mexican Artist​, 'Untitled (Diablo Dancing Mask from Guerrero)', Early 20th century, Polychromy on carved wood, 8 ½” x 6 ½” x 4”
Jerry Misko​, 'It's Not Time For Me To Go', 2025, Aerosol enamel on canvas, 12” x 12”
Wegner and Victorinox, 'Three Swiss Army Knives (Wegner Lumberjack, Viking and Victorinox Climber', Stainless steel and plastic, 3 ¼” x ⅝” x ⅜”
Helm Ruifrok​, 'The Virgin and St Anne (after Da Vinci)', 1999, Conte on paper, 30” x 22 ½”
Paul Maseyk,​ 'Altered Driving Creek Railway Brick', 1998, Clay, slip and glaze, 4” x 8 ¼” x 3 ¾”
Unidentified Mexican Artist, 'Untitled (Red Truck)', c. mid 20th century, Wood and aluminium, 7” x 17 ½” x 6 ⅞”
Ripper Jordan,​ 'Four Untitled Works (Fucktard!, Hand, Plant, Van Halen Thought bubble)', c. 2004 - 2009, Synthetic polymer on laser cut MDF, 19” x 18 ½” x ½”
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