Just a few days before Halloween, on October 28th, Last Rites Gallery in New York opened the 4th annual group show The 13th Hour. The gallery is known for consistently showing the best in dark and surreal art, and the 13th Hour is a show that focuses on dark surrealist works from a broad variety of artists. This year the list of participating artists included: Shawn Barber, Matthew Bone, Paul Booth, Colin Christian, Sas Christian, Jason D’aquino, Tom Gabriel Fischer, HR Giger, Fred Harper, Naoto Hattori, Michael Hussar, Joka, Sarah Joncas, Aunia Kahn, Michael Mararian, Chris Mars, Annie Owens, Chris Peters, Anthony Pontius, Dan Quintana, David Stoupakis, and many more.
Aside from the outstanding dark art shows the gallery opens month after month, I love the shows that feature dark works of art from artists that rarely contribute to these types of shows, and art from those you might not have expected, such as Self Deceased XXXII by Tom Gabriel Fisher — otherwise known as Tom Warrior of Celtic Frost fame and most recently Triptykon. Eli Livingston also created a sculpture, one that seems to be able to light up from the inside. leslie Ditto also created some prints from her painting Witching Hour, that might still be available from her Facebook page. If your in the area make sure to stop by and see these works in person, you have until November 27th. Otherwise the show is now online to view.
Preview: Varnish Fine Art Relaunch Part I
Varnish Fine Art in San Francisco was forced to leave their previous location, due to some construction projects going on at the time. It was one of my favorite galleries to visit, as the space was not only beautiful but they consistently showed amazing art. It was at Varnish that I saw works by Jennybird Alcantra, Chris Mars, Michael Page, and Ron English for the first time. Well they have a new location, very close to the old one, and are having their official relaunch exhbition opening this Saturday Night, September 24th. This show will feature works from 21 artists that are represented by Varnish such as Chris Mars, Robert Williams, Jennybird Alcantra, Laurie Lipton, Isabel Samaras, Scott Musgrove, Annie Owens, Craig LaRotonda , Nathan Spoor, Kevin Peterson, Beth Bojarski, Edith Lebeau (featured), Aunia Kahn, Ciou, Robert Bowen, and more. The reception goes from 4 – 8 PM, and the show will run up until November 5th.
See the rest of the show here: Varnish Fine Art
Preview: La Luz de Jesus 25
La Luz de Jesus is turning 25 soon, and to celebrate the galleries is having a massive group show, featuring three generations of artists that have shown with the gallery. Not only have more than 200 artists submitted a work of art, but also a small anecdote about their experience with the gallery. There is no doubt that La Luz de Jesus has been a major force in this art scene, and has helped to push many artists into the spotlight. Along with the exhibition a book will be released, going over the past 25 years of the gallery and the surrounding art movements that helped it along. I know I say this quite a lot, but this is one of those shows that you should not miss. I firmly believe that all art should be seen in person, but how often do you get to see so many amazing artists in one show? Robert Williams, Joe Coleman, Mark Ryden, Glenn Barr, Elizabeth McGrath, Gary Panter, Mark Mothersbaugh, Marion Peck, Owen Smith, Frank Kozik, Gail Potocki, Dave Cooper, Daniel Martin Diaz, Laurie Lipton, Shag, Scott Musgrove, Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Joe Sorren, Chris Mars, Eric White, The Pizz, Jessica Joslin, Gary Baseman, Bob Dob, Clayton Brothers, Shepard Fairey, Jennybird Alcantra, Carrie Anne Baade, Ana Bagayan, Shawn Barber, Scott G Brooks, Matt Groening, Charlie Immer, Michael Hussar, and the list keeps going.
The show will be in two parts, with the first part opening on October 7th, and the second part opening November 4th. The entire show with all of the works from both parts is now online to view, so head on over after to preview and take a look. There is some outstanding work in this show. Below are just a few of my favorites.
New work and updates from Chris Mars
Chris Mars has updated his website with some new artwork, as well as news of upcoming shows and events. After checking out the new work, the next thing you need to do is go to the film/documentary section. There are two videos here showing time-lapse videos of Chris painting. It gives a great insight into how he works; such as the idea that it looks as though he is painting whatever comes to his head with no under-painting or drawing to speak of. I love how effortless the painting process looks in these videos, when the work itself is so intense. It just goes to show how talented he really is. Int he coming months Chris will have some art in some museums, such as Halle St. Pierre Sept 12, 2011 – March 4, 2012, Mesa Contemporary Arts Sept 9 – Sept 30, 2011, and again at Mesa from Sept 9th to Dec 4th, and finally the Museum of Fine Arts in Florida for a show entitled “Cute & Creepy” curated by Carrie Anne Baade opening October 7th. Along with the museum show, you can see some of Chris’ work at galleries such as Cave Gallery, Varnish Fine Art, and Last Rites Gallery. This information is all found on Chris’ homepage.
Preview: “Dig For Fire” group show @ Cave Gallery
Opening this Friday, September 9th is a new group show from Cave Gallery entitled “Dig For Fire”. The show features art from an impressive list of artists all drawing inspiration from The Pixies. Work from Allison Sommers, Annie Owens, Ben Kehoe, Casey Weldon, Chris Berens, Chris Mars, Craww, Eatcho, Jennybird Alcantra, Kathleen Lolley, Luke Chueh, Macsorro, Ojimbo (featured), Robert Hardgrave, Shaunna Peterson, Tom Haubrick, and more. If your in the area make sure to stop by, the show is up until October 8th. This is a good chance to see some amazing work in person, such as the submissions by Allison Sommers, Chris Berens, and Ojimbo all seen below.
Preview: “Dystopia”, BeinArt Surreal Collective Show @ Copro Gallery
The past weekend some amazing shows opened up, and this coming weekend will be continuing this run of outstanding shows. On March 19th Copro Gallery will open the BeinArt Surreal Collective’s group show, “Dystopia”. Curated by Jon Beinart, this group show “will place the viewer in a fictional world where personal and societal fears can be explored. Whether figuratively or more literally, the participating artists will present their own interpretation of ‘Dystopia’.” Work from over 50 international artists will be on view, such as: Kris Kuksi, Chris Mars, Paul Booth, Chet Zar (interviewed), Viktor Safonkin, Laurie Lipton, David Bowers, Dariusz Zawadzki, Matthew Bone, Jean Labourdette Turf One, William Hand, Christian Van Minnen, Dan Quintana, Ben Tolman, Karl Persson, Macsorro, Carrie Ann Baade, Stephanie Henderson, Heidi Taillefer, David Choquette, Scott G Brooks, Naoto Hattori, Michael Ryan (featured), Leslie Ditto (featured), Larkin, Chrystal Chan, Jeff Christensen, Cam De Leon, Christopher Ulrich, Matt Dangler, Brian Viveros, Chris Peters, Rachel Bess, Brian Smith, Pamela Wilson, James Zar, Vincent Cacciotti, Jon Beinart, Matt R Martin, David Bowers, and more. Take a look at the preview images, and then head over to the site for more.
Copro Gallery
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“In The Trees: TWIN PEAKS 20th Anniversary Art Exhibition”
Opening tonight, February 12th, in Los Angeles at Clifton’s Brookdale is a group show dedicated to David Lynch’s cult television series “Twin Peaks”. The show will feature work by Glenn Barr, Tim Biskup, Scott Campbell, Paul Chatem, Ryan Heshka, Stella Im Hultberg, Ashley Wood, Jessica Joslin, Chris Mars, Liz McGrath, Eric White, and more. Clifton’s Brookdale is a very unique restaurant, however the artwork for the show has been placed online so those of us that aren’t able to make it to the show, and grab some food, will be able to check of some of this outstanding work. I really like what Stella Im Hultberg came up with, the contrast and colors are perfect.
Check out the full show and details here: Twin Peaks
New work by Chris Mars
Chris Mars recently added some new work to his website, and a list of all the shows he will be participating in this year. Posted a few days ago he showed some ceramic works in the “Mad Potters Tea Party” (featured), has work on view at the “Suggestivism” show at the Grand Central Art Center, and coming in the next few months will show at the MOMA in New York, Sacred Machine in Tucson, AZ, MondoPop in Rome, and at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica. It’s always exciting to see new work by such a talented artist like Chris Mars, each painting reminds me why I became interested in his art in the first place. Check out his homepage for the rest of the new art and news on upcoming shows.
“The Mad Potters Tea Party” @ Strychnin gallery
This past Friday, February 4th, Strychnin Gallery opened of the more unique shows I have seen in a while. “The Mad Potters Tea Party” features custom designed ceramics from over 100 international artists. Limited edition plates, teapots, vases, teacups and saucers created by artists such as Chris Mars, Ray Caesar, KRK Ryden, Caitlin Hackett, David Stein, Seymour, David Stoupakis, Camilla d’Errico, Kristen Ferrell, Bethany Marchman, Jason Jacenko, David Hochbaum, Saturno Buttò, Martina Secondo Russo, Ver Mar, Scott Holloway, Edith Lebeau, Brian Horton, and many more. I thought it was a great idea when some limited edition cups and saucers were released by UK’s This is Limited Edition, and most of these sets of long since sold out. The ceramics seen here at Strychnin are far more limited and unique. Chris Mars for example has created some round, plate style paintings before (featured), however I was really surprised to see how amazing his works looks on a Durham vase and Teapot. Make sure you check out this show after you look at the preview images.
13th Hour @ Last Rites Gallery
The most recent incarnation of the 13th Hour group show at the Last Rites Gallery opened this past Friday, October 29th. I am told by a few of the artist that attended the reception, that all went well, and it was one of the best show yet. The full show is now online to view, and seeing how today is Halloween you might want to head on over and check out some of the art. There is some really amazing work in this show, once again Scott G Brooks creates a mind-blowing painting, and I love how Sarah Joncas created something creepy in a Hitchcock kind of way.
Exclusive Preview: 13th Hour @ Last Rites Gallery
Coming this Friday, October 29th, the Last Rites Gallery in New York will host the third annual “13th Hour” group exhibition, just in time for Halloween. The previous two 13th Hour shows were amazing, and from the lineup of participating artists this year will be the best one yet. Starting at 7pm, fans will see work from Paul Booth, Scott G. Brooks, Caniglia, John Cebollero, David R. Choquette, Christopher Conte, Brendan Danielsson, Jason D’Aquino, Pedro De Kastro, Paul Gerrard, Fred Harper, Naoto Hattori, Charlie Immer, Sarah Joncas, Laurie Lipton, Travis Louie, Michael Mararian, Chris Mars, Richard Meyer, Chris Peters, Anthony Pontius, Pooch, Paul Rumsey, José Manuel Schmill, David Stoupakis, Brian M. Viveros, Jasmine Worth, and Chet Zar. The Creep Machine was able to get an exclusive preview of some of the art that will be in this exhibition, take a look and keep your eye on the galleries site for the full show.
Last Rites Gallery
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Preview: The Lowbrow Tarot Project @ La Luz de Jesus
The Lowbrow Tarot Project, guest curated by Aunia Kahn, won’t open until October 1st but the images are on the website now to check out and there is some pretty amazing work to be seen. 23 artists were given the opportunity to recreate the 22 cards (+back card) of the Tarot deck. The list of artists is quite impressive; Chet Zar, Christopher Ulrich, Edith Lebeau, Chris Mars, Carrie Anne Baade, Cate Rangel, Kris Kuksi, Brain Viveros, Molly Crabapple, Heather Watts, Laurie Lipton, David Stoupakis, Scott G Brooks, Daniel Martin Diaz, Danni Shinya Luo, and more. Check out the preview images below, and then over to the gallery site for the full show.
