Revenge of the Illustrator
Opening reception: Fri 11/2 @ 7pm (runs through Fri 11/23)
By Hollie Gibbs
A mohawked demon with decaying skin, lips curled into a grim grin, ferociously clutches a decapitated head in a talon-like hand as he eagerly rips the flesh from its skull with the other. Every torn shred of muscle fiber is meticulously detailed, every blood vessel defined. This is art.
Graphic novels, horror and metal have often been viewed as lesser crafts by mainstream society — as has their artwork. However, the illustrative arts are every bit as thought-provoking, intricate, and imaginative as its finer art counterparts. Cleveland will give the illustrative arts its due as James “Human Furnace” Bulloch (HF) and Martin Geramita bring one of the largest collections of graphic illustrators, album cover artists, comic artists and tattoo artists from around the world to display their pieces at Loren Naji Studio Gallery for Life and Death in Black and White, opening Fri 11/2.
Lead singer of local hardcore band Ringworm and one of the owners of 252 Tattoo, HF is surrounded by graphic imagery daily. He said he has been a life-long fan of this style of art and instantly knew which artists he wanted to invite to create original pieces for the show.
“We wanted to get a collective of new work from everyone,” HF explained. “The theme of the show is life and death. It’s a broad theme, but I wanted to give the artists a lot of options to explore with their pieces.”
Forty virtuosos like rock & roll horror artist (known for his work with The Accused) Jeff Gaither, DC Aquaman and New Earth artist Marty Egeland, and Fright-Rags designer Jeff Zornow will be joined by musician artists like Jordan Buckley from Every Time I Die, Away from Voivod, and Dwid from Integrity, as well as numerous other masters from across the U.S., Europe, and parts of South America.
Judging by the artists featured, it’s a safe bet there will be more death than life depicted, and those in attendance will more than likely be presented with numerous corpses in various stages of decomposition, horned creatures, tears of blood, and copious amounts of tissue and sinew. This isn’t a show for the faint of heart, and those with pretenses can stay home. This is an exhibit for people who don’t hold their wine glass with their pinky dangling off, but rather clutch the stem with their two middle fingers so their pointer and pinky throw the horns in a symbolic salute to Ronnie James Dio with every sip.
“Quite a few of these artists have major links to metal music and horror,” HF said. “In fact, many of the artists in the show are in bands themselves, and many of the artists are responsible for some of the most recognizable images in heavy music. It’s not very surprising that this style is so prevalent in the music world. Illustration has been a fixture for album and t-shirt art for decades. It can be very direct, tell a story or evoke certain imagery. Many of these artists are very established in the comic / horror world, as well.”
So attendees may happen upon long-haired men donning Soulless Beer Brigade t-shirts discussing how certain pieces at the exhibit masterfully betray the light, while the flying shadows in others really speak to them and how the lines of severed veins subtly play off of the demonic forms beneath.
“I always looked at illustration as a fine art, but I’ve always felt that it never quite got the respect that it rightfully deserves — most times being thought of as pulp or a lesser form of art,” HF explained. “I wanted to put something together to really showcase this art form. I really want to shed a light on the talent, patience, and time that goes into it and, mostly, present this artwork as the fine art it truly is.
“I’m hoping after people leave the exhibit, they’ll walk away with a new appreciation for the art form and really just have a great time seeing some of the coolest art around. It’s undeniable that these artists are true masters of their craft and some of the finest illustrators from around the globe. But this is not just a show for the curious. This show is for the metal heads, the horror freaks, the comic bookers, the skateboarders, the graphic design folks, and most importantly anyone who enjoys fine art.”
HF added that they are planning to take the exhibit on a multi-city tour after it closes in Cleveland.
Life & Death in Black & White Opening Reception is on Fri 11/2 from 7 – 10pm @ Loren Naji Studio Gallery, 2138 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113. The show runs from Fri 11/2 – Fri 11/23. The Gallery is open Fridays and by appointment. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/LifeDeathInBlackWhite.
[Pictured, from top to bottom, work by: Derek Hess, Scott Move, and Randy Ortiz]
Hollie Gibbs has a BS in journalism from Kent State University and studied photography at School of the Visual Arts in Manhattan. Her articles and photographs have appeared in numerous local and national publications. She can also be found playing guitar with various bands and building life-size monster props.
Cleveland, OH 44113