No Vacancy: Justin H. Long, Abyssal Wunderkammer

The sea has a depth of mysteries from which many have been lost and also found. For thousands of years, humans have lived near the ocean and explored it, uncovering treasures from past generations. These discoveries teach us about the history of civilizations and the remnants that were preserved. The Abyssal Wunderkammer is a fictional collection of undersea relics in an Art Deco display cabinet. These objects are not found but created by using techniques that mimic growth of sea life and centuries of aging. In the collection, several objects resemble Venus figurines, carved by humans for 50,000 years. This collection of figures all have some form of tail appendage, detailing a long history of mermaid lore and pushing their legend deeper into human yore. Accompanying the figures is an assemblage of lost human miscellanea, luxury watches and wares from shipwrecks and strandings. Justin Hayes Long (b. 1980, Miami FL) addresses cultural phenomena related to his subtropical roots, often using irreverent humor and pop-cultural signifiers to propose constructs of freedom and privilege and abuses of power as it relates to the physical environment and capitalism. He is known for work that combines nautical history with the seafarer’s craft through sculpture, painting, writing, video, performative interventions and structured installations. JHL holds an MFA from CalArts, Valencia, California and is Production Manager for Fringe Projects Miami. Selected group exhibitions include those at Contemporary Arts Center (New Orleans, LA), The Fabric Workshop and Museum (Philadelphia, PA) the De la Cruz Collection (Miami, FL). Selected solo exhibitions include those at The Bass Museum of Art (Miami Beach, FL), Emerson Dorsch Gallery (Miami, FL) and Art & Culture Center/Hollywood (Hollywood, FL). His work is part of private collections including the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami and he is a recipient of artist support grants including the Wavemaker – Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Ellies from Oolite Arts. He lives and works in Miami, FL.