EXHIBITION NOTES

THE ART OF AMERICAN ZOMBIE

Until now, art from the Los Angeles Zombie Underground has failed to achieve any major exhibition in the United States. Spontaneous collections have appeared in derelict buildings or empty parking lots, but The Art of American Zombie finally brings these revolutionary works to a local gallery setting.

“The emergence of zombie art is one of the most important movements to happen on the Los Angeles art scene in 25 years,” says Howl, local curator and art critic for Underground Art Now! “It's an absolute phenomenon. These artists have such raw power. Their work has such emotional resonance. They're going to make a mint.”

The artists drew inspiration from the ordinary and extraordinary facets of Los Angeles life: city council meetings, traffic on the 605, the annual LIVE/DEAD jamboree, empty voids of nothingness, the La Brea Tar Pits. Many of the revenant artists are reclusive and some of them remain unknown. All of them present a fresh perspective on “outsider art” and the challenges of living and creating in Los Angeles. This show endeavors to illuminate the zombie (non-living) experience for serious contemporary-art connoisseurs and casual viewers alike.

This exhibition -- a collection of collage works, photography, pen-and-ink portraits, string art, pop ‘zine art, charcoal-and-paper(bag) abstracts, and melted Styrofoam sculpture -- offers a fascinating cross section of the burgeoning Los Angeles zombie underground artist community. The ‘zine art, created by an artist by the name of IVAN, is heavily influenced by a convenience store milieu (where he is employed): images of junk food, cheesy nachos and neon slushies, assorted customers, and 24-Hour News programs mingle with street life and pop culture to create a biting commentary about life as a zombie. String art, the domain of an artist named LISA, serves to examine the inner lives of zombies: repetitive empty void imagery depicted in string and nails offers a glimpse into the complexities of zombie psychology. GLEN, an artist working in a charcoal-and-paper bag medium, also explores the notion of Great Empty Voids with bold abstract swirls. BLRG, an artist who creates playful pen-and-ink zombie portraits, combines satire and heart to produce deeply felt political statements.

The Art of American Zombie is presented in conjunction with the new film AMERICAN ZOMBIE, opening March 28th at the Laemmle Sunset Five. Much of the artwork seen in this exhibition can also be seen in the film, which explores the emerging zombie population of Los Angeles.

We sincerely hope you enjoy the show.

Rodrigo Weiss, Curator
March 2008