Opening tonight, July 24th at the Congregation Gallery in Hollywood, CA is a group show entitled “The Black Plague Art Show”. Curated by Cam Rackam, this show has a very impressive lineup with new works from: Jason Soles, Buddy Nestor, Cam Rackam, Chris Peters, Christopher Conte, Dan Harding, Ian Ward, Sean Chappell, Terry Wolfinger, Vincent Castiglia, Lacey Bryant, Karl Persson, Nikko Hurtado, Larkin, and many more. Of course we all know the Black Plague to be one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, but one of the elements you will see in many of these works is the outfits the plague doctors would wear. It consisted of a wide brimmed hat (a signifier of being a doctor), a long black overcoat (to minimize exposure), a cane for examining and ushering people around, and most notable the bird’s beak shaped mask. This mask worked similar to a gas mask, as impure air was thought to spread the disease. The mask had red eyepieces, thought to block the doctor from evil, and the beak would be filled with herbs or spices that would reduce the smell and again block impure air.

It’s an outstanding show, and had me surprised quite a few times. Dan Harding’s new piece “La Bella Morte Nera” (or The Beautiful Back Death), is so amazing, his work just keeps getting better. I also liked Jason Soles “Bell Jar Baby” and various masks. Lacey Bryant also has some great, illustrative pieces that really take the idea of the Black Plague as inspiration. “A Surprise for Mum” has the rats that helped spread the plague, and “Pocketful of Posies” is pretty creepy as well. Take a look at the preview images here, and then head over for the full show.

Black Plague Art Show @ Congregation Gallery

Here is the rundown of the shows that will be taking place this weekend.

Friday:
Eclectix Gallery will open “All Gurlz” show featuring more than thirty female artists

Halogen Gallery previously Suite 100, has a show featuring new work by Kendra Binney, Rudy Fig and Jeremiah Ketner

Thinkspace Gallery will open “…Away From The Things Of Man” by Kathleen Lolley, “A Brief History” by Allison Sommers and in the project room “Inner Myth Pt. 1″ by João Ruas

Roq la rue will open “Lush Life”, a group show featuring work by Joe Sorren, Chris Berens, Chris Conn Askew, Mia Araujo,, Melissa Forman, Travis Louie, Madeline Von Foerster, Martin Wittfooth, Kukula, Ryan Heshka, John Brophy, Tin, Brian Despain, Glenn Barr, Dan Quintana, Femke Hiemstra, Laurie Hogin, Lisa Petrucci
& Andrew Arconti.

Hyaena Gallery has a one night event, Albrecht Durer and his ” “The Monstrous Sow
of Landser (1496)” engraving for sale. There will also be work by Chris “The Creep” Densmore, Clint Carney, Dan Harding, Alex Pardee, Erick De La Vega, .W. Frydendall, Delphia, Chuck Hodi and many more. The show is only night and is online, so check it out now.

Saturday:
Congregation Gallery is opening “Voodoo, Hoodoo, and Santeria: The Art of Conjure Black Carpet Arrivals” with new work from D. W. Frydendall, Christopher Ulrich, Munk One, Evil Paul, Eli Livingston, 13:11, Cate Rangel, Shawn Du Val Humiston, Glenda Rolie, Lloyd Mattews, Gene Guynn, Patrick Segui, David Cook, Sarah Hestal, Tiffany Garcia, Elizabeth Caffey, George De La Santos, Cam Rackam, Erick De La Vega, Skullmaster, Kevin Klemm, Steve Rodgers, Nicholas Caesar, Tatomir, Jim Parchen, RT Vegas, Dean Karr, Alina Stempa, Dave Rose, Romesh Mccullough, Tom Zimmerman, Renato Ruiz, Skip Crank, Jeremy Cross Voodoo Tarot Readings Cuban Cigar Roller Personal Voodoo Doll Maker

The Parlour Gallery at Halloween Town will open the Edgar Allan Poe group art show, with some work from Dan Harding, Eric Pigors, Gris Grimly, Zombienose and more.

Last Rites Gallery will open “Southern” a duo show with new work from Brian Viveros and Matthew Bone.

Lebasse Projects will open “Hello and Goodbye” by Yoskay Yamamoto and “Wild Fields” by Melissa Haslam

Shooting Gallery SF will open “Into The Woodz” a new solo show from Isabel Samaras. Then at the Gallery Three “Fantastic in the Sack” New Works By Dustin Olson

Copro Gallery will have “Strange Grooming Habits” by Travis Louie and “Sentimental” by Kathie Olivas

Here is the rundown of shows that will be taking place this weekend.

Friday:
The Alternative Cafe is opening up the group show “Confections”. The show features work by Pilar Alvarez, Sherry DeLorme, Rudy Fig, Miss Kika, Kukula, Fang Ling Lee, Ryan Myers, Arabella Proffer & Danni Shinya Luo

Saturday:
Cerasoli Gallery is opening up three mini shows with work from John Grande, Franziska Klotz & Nick Potter.

Joshua Liner Gallery will open “Love Monster” with new art from Aiko.

Kinsey/Desforges will be hosting “Chasing Castles” featuring new works from Chloe Early and Connor Harrington

Finally the Hyaena Gallery will be co-hosting the Gruesome Art Ghoullery at the Fangoria Weekend of Horrors this April 17-19th. Besides all sorts of killer horror related goodies, the gallery will be featuring works from Clive Barker, Vince Locke, Gris Grimly, Dan Harding, Cam Rackam, Chuck Hodi, Rick “Dienzo” Blanco, Erick De La Vega, Alex Pardee and more. Gris Grimly willalso be releasing a limited edition print called “Zombie Affection” (shown). The print will be signed and numbered in an edition of 30. If they don’t all sell out at the event, they will show up on the artists site.

Here comes another weekend filled with killer show. Wish I could see them all.

Friday:
Roq La Rue Gallery: Stella Im Hultberg and Andrew Hem have all new works on display. The reception starts at 7pm. The show is online to view and all of the works look amazing, this is one exciting show.

Thinkspace Gallery: Amy Crehore’s “DREAMGIRLS & UKES”, and Anthony Clarkson’s “THE SILENT TREATMENT” opens at 7pm until 11pm.

Outre Gallery: in Australia has an exhibition featuring prints and one new original from Audrey Kawasaki.

“Forgotten Saints” presented by Art Core opens up this Friday as well. The show features new work by Cate Rangel, Arabella Proffer, Cam Rackam, Vince Locke, Gris Grimly and many other. no website to view work, but if you around you can see the show at the Congregation of the Forgotten Saints 7569 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles Ca. 90046.

Saturday:
Distinction Gallery: “Plastic Prophets of Vinyl Redemption” featuring new works by John Purlia. There will also be limited edition custom flipbooks at the reception.

POVevolving Gallery: “Movers and Shakers” is a group show featuring work by Michael Page, Dylan Sisson, Ben Kehoe, Chet Zar, Brandi Milne, Chris Peters, Ana Bagayan, Chris Ryniak, Cave Cooper, Amy Sol, Ekundayo, Eric Fortune, Mari Inukai, Kelly Vivanco, Jeff Soto, Mia, Naoto Hattori, Scott Radke and many more. This is quite an amazing show. There is also a box set of prints, each set features prints that are 8.5″ x11″ or smaller, limited to 50.

Bunny Gunner Gallery: has the group show “All you can Eat” opening. The show features work by KMDZ, Germs, Dean McDowell and many more.

Billy Shire Fine Arts: Has two solo shows opening, new works by Bob Dob and Francisco Rodriguez Maruca. The shows are online now to view.

Coming this Friday, February 13th, Art Core presents “Forgotten Saints”. This new group show is filled with featuring “Saints” that were forgotten, and those that should be. The lineup is pretty impressive. There will be work by: Gris Grimly, Vince Locke, Cam Rackam, Arabella Proffer, Tony Koehl, Alex Garcia, Cate Rangel and many more.

There isn’t much work online yet, but I did find a couple of images from the show to share. One from Arabella Proffer and the other from Cate Rangel.