“So Paradiso’s Fall came to represent that dark
desire that is innate within us all. That the correlation as an artist
to change our external reality, to deconstruct so to represent our
interior world, extends beyond the canvas, throughout mankind as a very
fundamental human function.”
Speaking to Beautiful Bizarre.
And I mean, how splendid is this? In which I talk a little about my
process for the series, dark art, living and working in Julian and
future plans. There’s also a small preview of some of the pieces.
READ THE INTERVIEW HERE
I have to say, the publicity surrounding this show has completely
bowled me over. After a decade of unveiling shows in a vacuum of seeming
indifference, it’s been like a revelation. I am beside myself with
gratitude. Thank you BB, Bella Harris, and Jeremy’s Schott and Cross of
Dark Art Emporium. Just Stellar.
Two more nerve wracked sleeps before showtime, and all will be revealed.
Saturday was the official opening night of the Man/son showcase, and was easily my most successful show to date. I could give you all a full account, except the wonderful people at Cartwheelart have done it so much more eloquently than I could. Thank you Lisa at Cartwheel, thank you Hyaena, thank you Dahlia Jane who looked incredible in her Manson dress especially made for the occasion, and thank you everyone who came out and supported me.Cartwheelart article
The ever eloquent Dahlia Jane, has just previewed the show over at her darkly blog-Upon a Midnight Dreary-where you can see previews for three of the works for my Man/son show, alongside her usual razor sharp insights by clicking the title link below. Thank you mon amie...
Man/son and the haunting of the American Madonna
"Gough’s oil paintings are beautifully done narratives often dealing with the cruel inevitability of mortality...
There's a pretty solid interview and review of my book in San Diego City Beat today, courtesy of Kinsee Morlan.
We actually talked for almost an hour early the other morning, and despite only being on my third brew-she somehow managed to make my ramblings lucid..
Thank you Kinsee.
You can read the full transcript from the following:
Art Depicting Death, by Kinsee Morlan
OMA closing reception just two days away, clobber out of moth balls.
In between I've set myself the task of completing the painting I am now calling "An Artists Hommage-a general truth" before All hallows.
I may need to conjure spirits to help me.
Dropped by the OMA today to pick up some flyers and a copy of Depict magazine.
Great full page of The Valley.
Since the exhibit hasn't been fully hung yet, I didn't get to chance a sneak peak at the work that will be on display, but I know something of my conferees, and the company shall be sterling.
Three long hot sleepless nights aead-fall santa ana relentless.
With the OMA-Momento Mori show opening in less than a week, here's another nice little article that someone drew my attention to in Pacific Magazine.
October is ramping up to be a month of activity, punctuated with the obligatory late night mining of Netflix for 60's and 70's Horror classics.
I did however make it into the studio yesterday, and spent the hours embellishing details on the (working title) "Red reaper" piece.
Further to my City Beat unpublished interview post, I've discovered a rather wonderful new magazine has posted this article for the forthcoming OMA show-remember your mortality, featuring a large splendid picture of 'The Valley' and a mention of someone you've never heard of.
You can read it online here:
DEPICT MAGAZINE
Between battling a head cold, keeping busy in the studio, an artist friend stopping by in the interim to watch me work, and then Shay's thing tonight, there's been little time for a full update, so my apologies.
However, I did finally manage to get the link for the Art Rocks show I did last month-I've only listened to a portion of it, since I'm not comfortable hearing myself-but it's available from the following link for those that want to:
Art Rocks Radio Featuring David Gough
Finally picked up a few copies of Pacific-it looks none too shabby.
My minor contribution came out a little heavy on the blacks, but still-it's there in glorious CMY and lots of K.
Sean's (Brennan) winning entry looks suitably contemporary on the cover, and could sit comfortably alongside an issue of Modern Painters.
Good for you Sean.
Cherish it, or use it to wrap up old potato peelings, but get yourself a copy.
So my entry for the Most Modern Art contest has taken fifth place in Pacific magazine as voted for by Facebook supporters. Thank you.
The magazine is available from all Ralph stores, or to view online from the following:
Pacific San Diego Magazine.
As a last minute addition, I'll be appearing on WS local Art Rocks Radio tomorrow, sometime between 7pm and 8pm.
As one half Irish, I'll be one of those representing the artistic contingent in anticipation for St Patricks day, as well talking about my art and whatever else pops up esoterically. You can listen to the show at the following link:
Art Rocks Radio
Two of my works are also in the running for the Pacific San Diego Magazines Most Modern Art contest.
The winning entry will end up on the cover, and so far I am 30 votes behind the leader. With two days to go before the close of polls, it's likely a shoo in who will win at this point, but at the very least I may hope to get a mention as a runner up in the residual article. To vote firstly click Like on Pacific Magazines Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/PacificSD
The click like for one or both of my entries:
Shadow Entry
Ghost of Medusa Entry
My thanks in advance, along with apologies for the linksanity of this post, normal viewing shall resume soon.
My recent outing at Oceanside museum made the local press there.
Unfortunately I must apologize in advance,since the article features a photo of what must be my most unflattering mugging to date, so I'm posting a better angle where you can barely see my face to compensate.
Below are some of the highlights,but you can read the full write up Here:
"David Gough painted live in the second floor gallery. Gough said his images of medieval scenes, skulls and human figures are inspired by televised extremist idealism and fear bating. “I moved from Ireland to the U.S. and was confronted with Fox News’ terrifying revolutionism,” Gough said. “It’s unlike the BBC that televises rational news in a nonpersonal way.”
Gough said his work also reflects his thoughts about his own mortality after three of his close friends died within 15 years of each other. His work on the theme includes 24 paintings, including three that were on display. “I’ve been working towards this for 25 years trying to find the rationale of why I’m doing it,” Gough said. “You’re always revisiting what you did previously.”
If I was a little wilted upon returning from Monterey-then I was welcomed with the spirit, lifting herald of this tremendous featured write up on Dahlia Jane's wonderful blog-uponamidnightdreary. I had the pleasure of talking at some length with the lovely Dahlia, last week at the Hive, and I've not read anything so perceptive about my own work before-certainly I don't believe the stalwarts Juxtapoz or Hi Fructose could have done better, so rather than have my own limited words fail me, here are some of hers:
"At first glance, David Gough’s paintings seem to be about death. Human forms stripped of their skin, hollow eye sockets and sinister grins against an apocalyptic sky challenge the viewer. But, after speaking with him I realized that his paintings are actually about the experience of living in a profound way. David uses death as a window into life the same way that Bowie used outer space as a metaphor for inner space. By exploring and demystifying the symbolism of death, David opens up an avenue for us to confront the way that we live."
You can read the full article from the link here:
Uponamidnightdreary David Gough artist profile
Thank you Dahlia. x
Tonight's exhibition made it into the pages of CityBeat, with a rather nice little piece to go alongside the Valley thumbnail. I'd like to think I'll make it onto the cover someday, but I never really can tell the criteria for these things.
After some fiddling yesterday, I decided the last piece shall be accompanying the other works on the wall this evening. Wet off the easel-literally-its unfinished, but I really wanted to have two new works to showcase, since its only a month since my last featured show, and for any return visitors I wanted to give them something new to make it worth their while.
Doors open around 6pm, I shall be hovering somewhere ready for grilling and bartering, so bring your rich friends and your checkbook;)
Look forward to seeing you there
Thumbprint Gallery
2637 University Avenue. #A
San Diego, CA, 92104
I had the extraordinary fortune of being featured on the exquisitely, enchanting Victoria Lane's Metblog this weekend:
http://la.metblogs.com/2009/04/24/david-gough-at-the-hive/
Victoria Lane-an avatar of the kind of Hollywood, classy cool with a capital K, so sorely missing amongst your 'Lindsey-style-starlets-of-that-ilk' these days-is a stalwart from my live journal days.
I have the honor of being counted as her friend.
She describes my work as:
"pretty death on the prowl or life’s inevitable darkness romanticized..."
I think its one of the best thing 'someone' has ever said about me.
I could recite it for you verbatim, but its probably better that you read it for yourself.
