Styrofoam Memories
Chris Rabb
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Central Library - 710 W. César Chávez St.
Living Room (6th Floor South)
About the Exhibit
What if the disposable images of yesterday turn out to be our most enduring monuments? This exhibition features a thoughtfully chosen collection of works that examine the dynamic interplay between Pop Art, Abstraction, and storytelling. Pop Art’s use of popular imagery is woven together with the expressive forms of Abstraction and narrative elements, creating a multilayered approach. Imagine the glint of neon on a Pac-Man screen, or the sugary scent of cereal dust rising from a morning bowl—these works bring such sensations to life. By integrating recognizable imagery with abstract composition and narrative cues, the pieces transform familiar visuals into rich stories, combining fantasy and memory within colorful assemblages, cultural symbols, and expressive designs.
Inspired by retro media, consumer products, ads, and cartoons, the series turns mass culture’s language into lively, abstract patterns. Whether it's the bright colors of a 1980s arcade game, the smiling face of Tony the Tiger from vintage cereal ads, or the bold lines of Saturday morning cartoons, these references become touchstones in the playful mix. This encourages viewers to engage with the art through humor, curiosity, and personal interpretation. The result is a visual playground that shares stories and moments without spelling them out, inviting a conversation between the viewer and the artwork, grounded in shared culture and personal memories.
About the Artist
My work focuses on play, experimentation, and storytelling through Pop Art Abstraction. At its heart, I ask how the symbols and language of mass culture shape our shared memories and personal identities. I’m drawn to the contrast between bright, lively surfaces and deeper meanings, as well as how nostalgia and irony affect how we see everyday images. I welcome surprise and spontaneity in every layer, which is packed with pop culture references and icons. Bold, eye-catching text runs across my pieces like ads, inviting viewers to look closer. By abstracting familiar objects and images, I create a playful conversation where nostalgia, irony, and curiosity come together.
Painting allows me to test new processes, such as layering acrylic paints and experimenting with mixed media, including collage and spray paint, while deepening my affinity with the emotional and cultural depth in daily life. By incorporating a variety of materials and application techniques, such as stenciling, texturing, and the use of bold, graphic brushwork, I engage with the unpredictable vocabulary of color, form, and visual storytelling. The influence of artists like Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, particularly their collaborative works, is evident in my use of bold color, the layering of pop culture imagery, and a sense of energetic composition. Similarly, the playful and socially aware practices of John Rosenquist, Banksy, and Keith Haring inform my approach to using recognizable icons and text to provoke both joy and reflection. While I draw from these influences, I strive to move beyond replication by incorporating personal memories, contemporary references, and an emphasis on the emotional nuances behind familiar images. My work builds on their legacy through a more intuitive process, where spontaneity and improvisation guide the narrative, allowing my own perspective to come forward. Through this approach, I aim to create artwork that instills joy, inspires reflection, and evokes a renewed sense of awe in the viewer.