We’re going to keep updating this page as the donations arrive, plus add photos.

We’ve been fans of The Gentle Barn for quite some time, and we’re thrilled to now be local to them!

We’re raising money to send at-risk and developmentally challenged kids to experience caring for the animals at the farm, and in turn, caring for themselves.

From now through June 15th the code GENTLE gets you 10% off of everything on our website, and 20% then goes to The Gentle Barn!

And- on June 13th: A SILENT AUCTION.

HERE ARE THE LOTS WE HAVE IN OUR POSSESSION!

You can bid via email at gallery@centuryguild.net up until one hour before the show opens (6 pm Los Angeles time). We will take the highest bid and put it at the top of the bid sheet, and if no one bids higher, it’s yours! We will try to make it possible for people to bid via phone throughout the night via our (800) CENTURY number for bids over a couple of hundred dollars.

SILENT AUCTION LOTS

(click on images to enlarge)

LOT 1. BIG OAK, DAYS END Oil painting by Brian Sindler

(8″x 8″ image, 18″x 18″ frame)

Brian Sindler graduated from SORA in Chicago alongside Gail Potocki, and has won a number of accolades including the prestigious Best of Show award in the 2011 Door County Plein Air Festival.

LOT 1. BIG OAK, DAYS END Oil painting by Brian Sindler

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LOT 2. JEREMY BASTIAN: Three special Jeremy Bastian books, all autographed.

Jeremy Bastian is the creator of the comic Cursed Pirate Girl and thanks to his incredibly intricate brushwork is one of the most respected new comics artists working today.

Lot includes one Cursed Pirate Girl trade paperback with a “portrait edition” hand-drawn cover of “The Devil’s Dagger”. One red logo (of only twenty made) copy of Your Lucky Book. One limited edition signed and numbered Summer 2014 sketchbook.

LOT 2. Signed CPG trade paperback with hand-drawn cover of
THE DEVIL’S DAGGER

Close up of hand-drawn, hand-stamped cover

LOT 2. Limited edition signed & numbered
Summer 2014 sketchbook

Sketchbook back view

LOT 2. Limited special edition red logo
YOUR LUCKY BOOK signed by
Jeremy Bastian

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LOT 3. GEOF DARROW: original ink drawing of Totoro – and little Totoro! (11″ x 16.5″)

Geof Darrow is a legendary comics artist, but perhaps his most recognizable work was designing the universe and machinery of The Matrix films. Geof has also won an Eisner award (the top honor in the field) for his comic Shaolin Cowboy.

LOT 3. GEOF DARROW: original ink drawing of Totoro – and little Totoro!

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LOT 4. DAN BRERETON: original painting of a jungle beast (10.5″x 16.5″), and a limited edition print of a young boy reading comics (13″x 17.5″)

Dan Brereton is the creator of the seminal crime-horror Nocturnals graphic novels. Always fully painted, his work is seen at all the major companies and always suggests the best of horror from the 1960s and 1970s.

LOT 4. DAN BRERETON: original painting of a jungle beast

LOT 4. DAN BRERETON: limited edition print of a young boy reading comics

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LOT 5. AMY LLOYD: oil painting of a small bird (7.5″ x 9.5″ image, 13″x 15″ framed)

Amy Lloyd is also a SORA graduate from Gail Potocki’s class, and follows a classical-mixed-with-symbolism path similar to Gail’s.

LOT 5. AMY LLOYD: oil painting of a small bird

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LOT 6. KATHY HONEY: one-of-a-kind screenprint of a painting of a giraffe (9″x 12″)

(original created for her granddaughter’s bedroom).

Another student of SORA from Gail’s class, Kathy Honey has always been to me like a Gauguin in her embracing of a primitive style, and her works always have an attractive and soothing subtle metaphysical and meditative leaning. Works by Kathy are in the collection of David Lynch.

LOT 6. KATHY HONEY: one-of-a-kind screenprint of a painting of a giraffe

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LOT 7. OCC: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics SET ONE

ANIME duo with insert card autographed by Willam! Plus two nail lacquers in POND and VIDEODROME, creme colour concentrate in BEHOLDER, loose colour in OBERON, and four lip tars in NEW WAVE, JEALOUS, META, and VOYEUR

LOT 7. OCC: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics SET ONE

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LOT 8. OCC: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics SET TWO

BLACK DAHLIA duo with insert card autographed by Detox! Plus two nail lacquers in RIPLEY and BATTY, two creme colour concentrate in MERCURY and DARK MATTER, four lip tars in PRIS, LOVECRAFT, RHYTHM BOX and BATTY, and an 11″x 14″ test print of our 1923 COCAINE poster

LOT 8. OCC: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics SET TWO

LOT 8. Century Guild Patronage Print
COCAINE, 1923

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LOT 9. OCC: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics SET THREE

KAVA KAVA duo with insert card autographed by Vicky Vox! Plus two nail lacquers in LEELO and ELECTRIC SHEEP, two creme colour concentrate in ICARUS and NEWT, and four lip tars in ANNIKA, ZHORA, CLOCKWORK, and ANDROGYNE

LOT 9. OCC: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics SET THREE

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LOT 10. BLOODDROP Clothing and Fineries SET ONE

Lot includes two bottles of Nail Couleur nail polish in VENUSIAN and CORVUS, one Lip Couleur lipstick in TERRA ROSA, two Kiss Kiss Lip Balms in BUTTERCREAM ROSE and CANDIED VIOLET, two Eye Couleur Loose Powder Shadows in FOURTH MOURNING and AES, Aquatic Musk Sugar Polish, Strawberry Cream & Chamomile Hard Candy Bath Salt Soak, two issues of ZELDA magazine, and an 11″x 14″ test print of our 1899 ONORANZE A VOLTA poster

LOT 10. BLOODDROP Clothing and Fineries SET ONE

LOT 10. Century Guild Patronage Print
ONORANZE A VOLTA, 1899

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LOT 11. BLOODDROP Clothing and Fineries SET TWO

Lot includes two bottles of Nail Couleur nail polish in ST. EMILION and LADY SLIPPER, two Lip Couleur lipsticks in FALLEN PETALS and ST. EMILION , one Kiss Kiss Lip Balm in GREEN TEA & HONEY, one Eye Couleur Loose Powder Shadow in CORVUS, Eau Douce du Soir facial mist, Lily & Yuzu Sugar Polish, two issues of ZELDA magazine, and an 11″x 14″ test print of our 1899 ONORANZE A VOLTA poster

LOT 11. BLOODDROP Clothing and Fineries SET TWO

LOT 10. Century Guild Patronage Print
ONORANZE A VOLTA, 1899

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LOT 12. NEVERWEAR “Conjunction” poem print autographed by Neil Gaiman, art by Jouni Koponen (10″x 28″)

LOT 12. NEVERWEAR “Conjunction” poem print autographed by Neil Gaiman

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LOT 13. NEVERWEAR “Desert Wind” poem print autographed by Neil Gaiman, art by Molly Crabapple (10″ x 21″)

LOT 13. NEVERWEAR “Desert Wind” poem print autographed by Neil Gaiman

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LOT 14. DAVID PETERSEN: Mouse Guard Special limited Black and White Edition hardcover with the addition of a special AMAZING drawing inside cover! Much larger and more detailed than any I’ve ever seen him do.

David Petersen has won so many Eisner awards there’s not enough room on this page to even get into it. His Mouse Guard is one of the most respected all-ages comics to have hit the shelves in decades, and for someone whose place in history is SO solid, he’s an amazingly kind and generous man. He also has great taste in art, as he was one of the most passionate champions of Jeremy Bastian… and they continue to draw together every Thursday night.

LOT 14. DAVID PETERSEN: Mouse Guard Special limited Black and White Edition hardcover with the addition of a special AMAZING drawing inside cover!

LOT 14. Close up of front cover

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LOT 15. DAVID PETERSEN: “Ambelle” original ink drawing for a French Edition of his Mouse Guard Role Playing Game (5″x 8.5″)

LOT 15. DAVID PETERSEN: “Ambelle” original ink drawing

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LOT 16. DAVID PETERSEN: “Hagen” original ink drawing for a French Edition of his Mouse Guard Role Playing Game (5″x 8.5″)

LOT 16. DAVID PETERSEN: “Hagen” original ink drawing

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LOT 17. DAVID PETERSEN: “Finn” original ink drawing for a French Edition of his Mouse Guard Role Playing Game (5″x 8.5″)

LOT 17. DAVID PETERSEN: “Finn” original ink drawing

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LOT 18. DAVID PETERSEN: “Merry” original ink drawing for a French Edition of his Mouse Guard Role Playing Game (5″x 8.5″)

LOT 18. DAVID PETERSEN: “Merry” original ink drawing

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LOT 19. BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB SET ONE

Lot includes items from the OUR LADY OF PAIN limited edition collection: Soy Candle in DRIED IS THE BLOOD OF THY LOVER, Bath Oil in LITHE AND LASCIVIOUS REGRET, perfume oils in WHEN THY WILL STUNG THE WORLD INTO STRIFE, THE WORM SHALL REVIVE THEE WITH KISSES, and FORGIVE US OUR VIRTUES, FORGIVE US, plus a hardcover copy of MIRRORMASK signed by the film’s director Dave McKean and the film’s star, Stephanie Leonidas

LOT 19. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Set One

LOT 19. Hardcover MIRRORMASK book signed by
Dave McKean & Stephanie Leonidas

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Lot 20. BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB SET TWO

Lot includes items from the OUR LADY OF PAIN limited edition collection: Home & Linen Spray in HOUSE OF UNQUENCHABLE FIRE, perfume oils in OUR LADY OF PAIN, LIPS FULL OF LUST AND LAUGHTER, O DAUGHTER OF DEATH AND PRIAPUS, plus an 11″x 14″ test print of our 1920 THE DANCE OF DEATH poster

LOT 20. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Set Two

LOT 20. Century Guild Patronage Print
THE DANCE OF DEATH c. 1920

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LOT 21. BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB SET THREE

Lot includes items from the OUR LADY OF PAIN limited edition collection: Hair Gloss in IMPLACABLE BEAUTIFUL TYRANT, perfume oils in THE LILIES AND LANGUORS OF VIRTUE, FEED ME AND FILL ME WITH PLEASURE, THE DESIRE OF THY FURIOUS EMBRACES, IN HIS HANDS ALL THY CRUELTIES THRIVE, plus an 11″x 14″ test print of our 1918 ALRAUNE poster

LOT 21. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Set Three

LOT 21. Century Guild Patronage Print
ALRAUNE c. 1918

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LOT 22. WARNER BROS. MAN OF STEEL SET ONE

Lot includes a variety of promo and collectable items donated by Warner Bros. including DC Collectables SUPERMAN Patina Statue, 59Fifty Superman Baseball Cap size 7.5, DC Superman Earth One hardcover (J. Michael Straczynski, Shane Davis), Hooded sweatshirt with Man of Steel logo size Men’s Large, T-shirt with Superman size Men’s Large

LOT 22. Warner Bros. MAN OF STEEL Set One

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LOT 23. WARNER BROS. MAN OF STEEL SET TWO

Lot includes a variety of promo and collectable items donated by Warner Bros. including DC Dynamics SUPERMAN hand-painted cold-cast porcelain statue, DC All Star Superman TPB (Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely), black Man of Steel logo t-shirt size Men’s XL, blue Superman t-shirt size Men’s XL, Superman ceramic To-Go mug with lid, and Man of Steel logo baseball cap

LOT 23. Warner Bros. MAN OF STEEL Set Two

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LOT 24. WARNER BROS. MAN OF STEEL SET THREE

Lot includes a variety of promo and collectable items donated by Warner Bros. including LEGO DC Universe Superheroes #6862 (Superman, Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman, plus comic book), Nintendo DS Justice League Heroes, Superman baseball cap, DC Comics the New 52 Superman Action Comics #1, DC Superman Secret Origin TPB (Geoff Johns, Gary Frank), black ribbed MAN OF STEEL logo tank top size Medium, Superman wallet by The Amazing Fat Free Wallet, MAN OF STEEL lined notebook, MAN OF STEEL pen

LOT 24. Warner Bros. MAN OF STEEL Set Three

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LOT 25. SMASHBOX COSMETICS SET ONE

Lot includes Smashbox HINT OF BRONZE set (Full Exposure Mascara, Reflection High Shine Lip Gloss in HINT OF BRONZE, Blush in HINT OF BRONZE, Be Legendary Lipstick in HONEY), Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow in NEPTUNE, Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio in SAND, VAPOR, THUNDER, Waterproof Shadow Liner in METALLIC MARBLE, Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in DARK BROWN, plus an 11″x 14″ test print of a Century Guild Patronage Print

LOT 25. Smashbox Set One

LOT 25. Century Guild Patronage Print

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LOT 26. SMASHBOX COSMETICS SET TWO

Lot includes Smashbox HAZEL EYES palette (BLISS, FORTUNE, SAGE, PASTEL, MAJESTIC, OBSIDIAN), Limitless Eyeliner in BLACK VIOLET, Photo Matte Anti Shine, Photo Finish Correcting Primer in BLEND, Halo Long Wear Blush in PASSION (includes mini-kabuki brush), Be Legendary Lipstick in INSPIRATION, plus an 11″x 14″ test print of our 1901 LE PETIT THEATRE poster

LOT 26. Smashbox Set Two

LOT 26. Century Guild Patronage Print
LE PETIT THEATRE, 1901

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LOT 27. SMASHBOX COSMETICS SET THREE

Lot includes Smashbox SMOKE BOX palette (ALABASTER, THUNDER, BLACKOUT, ROAST, BLACK CURRANT, SEAFOAM), Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in FLASH, Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Reflection High Shine Lip Gloss in WATERMELON, Limitless Eyeliner in SMOKE, Camera Ready CC Cream in LIGHT/MEDIUM, plus an 11″x 14″ test print of a Century Guild Patronage Print

LOT 27. Smashbox Set Three

LOT 27. Century Guild Patronage Print

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LOT 28. JOSIE MARAN SET ONE

Lot includes Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil Moisturizer (50mL), Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter in VANILLA APRICOT, Argan High Gloss Lip Quench in LIQUID GOLD, Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream in BE SPIRITED SWEET CITRUS, plus an 11″x 14″ test print of our 1901 LE PETIT THEATRE poster

LOT 28. Josie Maran Set One

LOT 28. Century Guild Patronage Print
LE PETIT THEATRE, 1901

LOT 29. JOSIE MARAN SET TWO

Lot includes Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum (120mL), Argan Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil, Whipped Argan Oil in BE TRUE, BEARNAKED Nail Wipes 3-in-1 polish remover, plus an 11″x 14″ test print of a Century Guild Patronage Print

LOT 29. JOSIE MARAN SET TWO

LOT 29. Century Guild Patronage Print

LOT 30. WESTSIDE AESTHETICS GIFT CERTIFICATE

Lot includes gift certificate for one Oxygen Infused Facial from WESTSIDE AESTHETICS, located at 11645 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 800 in Los Angeles, California

LOT 30. Westside Aesthetics Gift Certificate for Oxygen Infused Facial

Also, because my friend Ian Maksin is in town, we will entertain you with some guitar and cello music at 8pm!

Listen to him at http://www.ianmaksin.com/

Perhaps the circus is the exaggerated reality that lies just beyond the periphery of our accepted social sphere.  It at once allows us a glimpse into an environment where everything is heightened, pushed to the limit (and sometimes far surpasses it), and while things may be familiar, nothing is really the same as in the lives that we know.  Though it isn’t feasible to escape our frustratingly mundane personal realities and simply “run away to join the circus”, it is possible to seek inspiration and escapism within the world of freaks and carnies.  Taking inspiration from this spectacular world is exactly what Gail Potocki has done.  Begun in 2009, the Freaks portraits series is an ongoing project for Gail, and only a few of her amazing portraits have been revealed and even more have yet to be created.  The brilliant portraits are like a peephole into the circus tents of the past.  Not only do they shine the spotlight on some truly unusual characters, but they also expose their humanity in a way that is both profound and endearing.  Each portrait embraces its subject as an individual, both celebrating their differences and acknowledging their humanity, and all the while doing so in a playfully creative manner that is fitting of Gail’s symbolist style.

The first five “Freaks” paintings by Gail Potocki!

The film Freaks, directed by Tod Browning and featuring real circus performers and actors with physical abnormalities, was released in theatres briefly in 1932 before being pulled out of distribution by MGM out of concern for the controversy surrounding it and the growing pressure for industry censorship in movies.  Since its initial release and critical and commercial failure, the film has become an enduring cult classic, mainly due to the counter-culture movement of the 1960s, which saw the film as a sympathetic portrayal of outsiders being plotted against by the scheming  “normal” people.  For those looking to individuate or just appear hip, the derogatory term “freak” was conversely turned into a superlative and an exclamatory resounding of approval.  Today, the film is seen as a peculiarity by most, but a welcome one that is enjoyable for its outlandish story and somewhat subversive message.

The film poster from the often controversial classic film “Freaks”.

“You laughed at them, shuddered at them, and yet, but for the accident of birth you might be even as they are.  They did not ask to brought into the world, but into the world they came!”

Indeed, and now you can even collect them for your own cabinet of curiosities!  Gail Potocki‘s Freaks are available as both an ongoing series of trading cards and as fashionably original t-shirts.   Proudly display your own status as a “freak” with these great collectible cards and apparel.

Behold the first five paintings of Gail’s Freaks series as they appear in a set of astonishing trading cards.  Beautifully designed to recall the look and feel of Victorian Era carte de visites, these cards elevate card collecting to a level of sophistication and eccentricity that is too magnificent to be ignored!

HERE IS BEAUTY!

Freaks trading cards #1 – Daisy & Violet Hilton

HERE IS PATHOS!

Freaks trading cards #2 – Pip

HERE IS MYSTERY!

Freaks trading cards #3 – Flip

HERE IS WONDERMENT!

Freaks trading cards #4 – Jo-Jo, the Dog-Faced Boy

HERE IS SPECTACLE!

Freaks trading cards #5 – Annie Jones, the Bearded Lady

Gail Potocki‘s Freaks trading cards can be purchased by clicking HERE!

Series I of Gail Potocki’s “Freaks” collectible trading card collection.
Each set of cards comes in an envelope hand stamped and signed by Gail Potocki herself and numbered 1-100, so they are very limited in availability, and sure to become a highly sought after collectible.
So, indulge your inner freak and purchase yours now!

And the Freaks t-shirts can be purchased by clicking HERE!

Gail and her elegantly designed Freak t-shirts at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con.  Available in both men’s and women’s sizes small, medium, large, and extra large, these shirts were produced in a very limited number of 85 each gender.  Stylish, unique, and very comfortable, these dark grey crew neck t-shirts are made from 100% cotton and screened from high resolution in order to capture as much quality of the original paintings as possible.

Though the circus sideshow life can certainly be viewed as a case of sensationalistic exhibition and voyeuristic exploitation, there is a kind of romanticism that it carries with it, and perhaps even valuable lessons to be learned about balancing individual interests with that of the community.  There are strong ethics of hard work in the circus and no matter how different you may be in appearance, there is the opportunity for acceptance and camaraderie, so one could see the appeal there in belonging to a tightly knit group of diverse people.  Gail also sees the prospective social value of it, saying, “I think people could benefit by learning about those who worked in the circus and also from learning more about any group of people that are different, but people have to want to learn and be open to potential benefits.  Often the more people understand, the more accepting and less fearful they are.”

“We accept her!  We accept her!  Gooble, gobble!  Gooble, gobble!  One of us!  One of us!”

The memorable wedding banquet scene of “Freaks” where the lives of the normal circus performers and the sideshow freaks collide.  It is in this mundane setting of socialization and food consumption, of physical and emotional nourishment, where the perceived worlds of normalcy and abnormality clash with dramatic results.  And what better metaphor is there for the conflict between the individual and the collective, the obscure and the celebrity, the hero and the villain?  Maybe in the end we’re all just freaks in the circus of life.  Maybe that’s what makes us beautiful.

– Sean

All sales on centuryguild.net (when you enter the code MICHAELFOX) through March 23 benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, plus Silent Auction and eBay of Allan Amato artworks.

Some time ago my friend Allan Amato began a project in honor of his good friend Becky who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at an alarmingly young age- the reach of this illness was far greater than he had imagined, and he wanted to share his new awareness with his peers.

Dave McKean for Illuminate Parkinsons

Allan asked luminaries of the creative world to pose for photographs as part of a campaign “illuminating” the disease, pulling it from the shadows and making people aware of the depth and breadth of its existence.  Fantasy stalwarts Neil Gaiman, Terry Gilliam, Grant Morrison and Dave McKean- action stars Randy Couture, Thomas Jane, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Danny Trejo- and music icons My Chemical Romance and Al Jourgensen of Ministry are just some of the names who stepped in to help the cause and raised lantern, torches, and other light sources to the cause.

Fairuza Balk for Illuminate Parkinsons

A year and a half later, the show has toured the country and the final stop is at Century Guild’s LA location (Culver City to be exact).  The artworks that toured for the exhibition will be “silent auctioned” with 100% going directly to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research, and to add to that we’re making a special discount code that will make any purchases made on the Century Guild website direct a portion to the charity as well.

Neil Gaiman for Illuminate Parkinsons

EBAY

Bid online on signed art prints from Kevin Smith, Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison, Fairuza Balk, and Gerard Way by clicking here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/323allanamato/m.html

Stephanie Leonidas of MirrorMask and the upcoming Syfy series Defiance

SILENT AUCTION

A (semi) complete listing of the artworks that will be available at the silent auction is listed below- you can write to GALLERY AT CENTURYGUILD DOT NET to place a remote bid.  We expect surprises and last-minute additions at things get unpacked closer to the event so we hope you can be there!

001. Framed Grant Morrison print (red baroque frame, from touring exhibition) (36 x 42, edition 1 of 1)

002. Framed Neil Gaiman print (red baroque frame, from touring exhibition) (36 x 42, edition 1 of 1)

003. Framed Kevin Smith print (red baroque frame, from touring exhibition) (36 x 42, edition 1 of 1)

004. Framed Stephanie Leonidas print (red baroque frame, from touring exhibition) (36 x 42, edition 1 of 1)

005. Framed Terry Gilliam print (red baroque frame, from touring exhibition) (36 x 42, edition 1 of 1)

006. Framed Fairuza Balk print (red baroque frame, from touring exhibition) (36 x 42, edition 1 of 1)

DONATE BY OTHER PURCHASES

One good turn deserves another, so to thank you for your support of this important cause, we will give anyone purchasing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING on our website 10% off for the entire month of March- and then we will take an additional 20% and make a donation on your behalf to the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research.  Take this opportunity to get something nice for yourself- whether it’s a t-shirt, a book, or a museum quality piece of 19th century art- enter the code MICHAELFOX at www.centuryguild.net and see the profits from your purchase going to an important charity.

Follow the event updates on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/509184402472492/

See photos of the artworks as the show is hung by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/centuryguild

http://www.michaeljfox.org/

Grant Morrison for Illuminate Parkinsons

Randy Couture for Illuminate Parkinsons

]]> http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/help-us-illuminate-parkinsons-on-march-23rd/feed/ 0 Overlord Dave McKean for Illuminate Parkinsons Fairuza Balk for Illuminate Parkinsons Neil Gaiman for Illuminate Parkinsons Stephanie Leonidas of MirrorMask and the upcoming Syfy series Defiance Grant Morrison for Illuminate Parkinsons Randy Couture for Illuminate Parkinsons http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/coming-january-12th-2013-after-the-apocalypse/ http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/coming-january-12th-2013-after-the-apocalypse/#comments Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:18:54 +0000 SeanChase http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/?p=2039 ]]> The Mayans were wrong and the world did not end, so we’re celebrating!  Century Guild is proud to present a new show on January 12, 2013, which will feature three very different artists exploring visions of life, death, and the possibilities of what may come after.  The themes and imagery will be rooted in the human psyche and range from the divine to the obscene, from despair to salvation, from paradise to perdition.  We’ll be showcasing very rare artworks by Art Nouveau master Alphonse Mucha, German Expressionist Bruno Goldschmitt, and contemporary artist Richard Friend.  In other words, this will be one hell of a show!

After the Apocalypse… January 12th, 2013 at Century Guild!  Featuring the indelible artwork of Mucha, Friend, and Goldschmitt!

Alphonse Mucha‘s name should be more than familiar.  He was the single most important figure of the Art Nouveau movement and certainly the most recognized for his outpouring of creativity and his prolific capacity.  His paintings, illustrations, advertisements, postcards, and decorative designs were hugely influential at the turn of the century and are still highly sought after by collectors today.  Aesthetically, the imagery he created with its fine line work, decorative floral elements, and graceful figures of femininity, became the groundwork for Art Nouveau.  Best known for his many commercial works, mainly lithograph posters, postcards, and illustrations, Mucha’s work expanded far beyond that as well.

Frustrated with the fame he achieved almost solely through his commercial endeavors, Mucha declared that it was his aim to produce artwork that was more personal and spiritual.  As a result, Mucha created two series of masterful narrative images, all done in his distinct style, but with greater attention to detail and more thematic intensity.  The latter of these two series was his ambitious and enormous Slovanská epopej (Slavic Epic) inspired by the history and legends of the Slavic people.  This series consisted of twenty large canvases that took him over eighteen years to produce from 1918 to 1928.

However, of equal import both in terms of his artistic development and the shift in his aesthetic to more complex thematic content, and lesser known due to its limited printing of only 510 copies, are his symbolically rich drawings for Le Pater (The Lord’s Prayer) published on December 20, 1899.  Originally printed by F. Champenois and published by Henry Piazza, Le Pater was an elaborately illustrated and illuminated work in which Mucha took each verse of The Lord’s Prayer and created a corresponding illustration to it.  Filled with enigmatic figures and occult motifs, it was described by Mucha in the January 5, 1900 issue of The Sun as “the thing which I have put my soul into”.

“Hallowed Be Thy Name” by Alphonse Mucha (1899, lithograph).

“Give Us This Our Daily Bread” by Alphonse Mucha (1899, lithograph).

“Lead Us Not Into Temptation But Deliver Us From Evil” by Alphonse Mucha (1899, lithograph).

Bruno Goldschmitt was a German Expressionist, who although somewhat obscure today, is probably best known for his printmaking using woodcuts, although he also made tapestries, paintings, and worked in various other mediums.  A friend and associate of Nobel winning German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter Herman Hesse, Goldschmitt was very much of the contemporary school of art stylistically and he incorporated a great number of influences into his aesthetic.  His work is imbued with much of the iconography of Symbolism and the emotional potency of Expressionism, as well as the bold line work and sharp, exaggerated angles of the latter.  But in terms of the themes he expressed, most can be traced back to Germany’s ancient history and medieval European art in general.  Allegorical woodcuts and drawings of classical figures of European myth and legend abound in his work, as do idyllic and somewhat pantheistic scenes of rural countryside activities and seasonal changes, but most fascinating are his dynamic images inspired by the Old Testament.

“The Prophet” by Bruno Goldschmitt (circa 1920, woodcut print).

One of the things that I love about Century Guild is how various artists from different eras and movements are all brought together to form a lush collective representing different styles and genres of art.  Not only do we have classic works from the key movements of the 19th and 20th Centuries, but we also get to introduce people to some of the most original, innovative, and moving pieces of contemporary art.  With that in mind, we’re proud to be displaying the work of Richard Friend…

“Black Drawing VII: Falling” by Richard Friend (2010, ink on paper).

Brimming with imposing shadows, tormented souls, and atmospheric locales, the compositions almost seem caught between recollection and nightmare, and simultaneously function as commentary on societal woes and project the dilemmas of the subconscious, making Richard Friend‘s Black Drawings unforgettable.  The high contrast of the black and white, the intricacies of the line work, and the pervasive images of decaying buildings, crumbling statues, and of human lives lost in torment help to evoke a haunting mood quite unlike anything else.  Spending most of his life as a musician, Richard’s work is understandably endowed with a dark, compelling lyricism that enriches the themes he so adeptly explores.

“A Feast of Saints” by Richard Friend (2010, ink on paper).

Explaining the inspiration for the above image, “A Feast of Saints” to me,  he said, “The idea is that we as humans are vulnerable, victims to larger things: our own fears; religion; power.  So, the figure is god-like [and represents these things] and then you have man below cowering.  There’s also a maternal element to the piece.”

Striving to create art that would be both deeply personal and original, Friend’s drawings are gripping works that not only express his own ideas and feelings, but are also sure to elicit strong emotional reactions from viewers.   Among Richard’s diverse inspirations and influences are Rembrandt, Goya, Dalí, Saudek, and Giger, so it’s no wonder that his vivid imaginings are so captivating to look at and so difficult to categorize.  He has more than achieved his goal of creating contemporary art that is both personal  and original, he has created something that is transcendent.  Richard described the reactions to his art, saying, “It can almost act like a Rorschach for people.  It’s very interesting to see which pieces appeal to what people.  It surprises me.”

 
Information on the After the Apocalypse opening and exhibition:

AFTER THE APOCALYPSE opens January 12, 2013 with a reception from 6-9pm at Century Guild.
Exhibition continues January 17, 18 & 19 from noon-8pm.

For further information or press photos contact the gallery at 1-800-610-CENTURY or gallery@centuryguild.net.

Century Guild
6150 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

So, is the end nigh?  Far from it, we’re just getting started.

– Sean

Coming January 12, 2013. Just in case the Mayans were wrong.

Alphonse Mucha

Bruno Goldschmitt

Richard Friend

January 12, 2013: After the Apocaplypse

Noon-10pm daily- to make holiday shopping easy!

Century Guild Holiday Sale

Cursed Pirate Girl: The Collected Edition, Volume 1 (Archaia Publishing, published Dec. 2012)

The ongoing story of Cursed Pirate Girl tells the whimsical tale of a young girl as she sets sail for adventure in search of her missing father, who is one of the legendary Pirate Captains of the mythical Omerta Seas.  On her voyages, both above and below the surface of the ocean, she encounters a series of bizarre, charming, and grotesque characters that leap forth from the page with such vitality and imagination that they rival the fantastical creations of Lewis Carroll, Winsor McCay, and Terry Gilliam.

Jeremy A. Bastian, attending San Diego Comic-Con 2012, stops by the Century Guild booth to meet fans and sign autographs of his work.

At a time when just about everyone seems to be familiar with comic book characters and their worlds, primarily due to the high-end film adaptations of superhero comic books, it has become increasingly rare for comics fans to stumble across anything original.  As Hellboy creator Mike Mignola has said, “It’s all too rare that I see work that is truly original – and I almost never see work THIS original – Jeremy Bastian is a genius.”

Jeremy’s work stands out for a number of reasons.  Not only does he cite amongst his influences some of the great names in comic book art, he also looks even further back into the past to classic artists of the Golden Age of Illustration, and even further back than that to certain Renaissance and medieval artists.  His artwork and visual narratives are created with the skill of a master, and his imagery explodes with eccentric nuances and brilliant humor that the pages can barely contain.  Beyond just the amazing style of his work, there is the technique with which he creates it.  While many artists in the field of fine illustration or comics go about their way, content to work with pen on over-sized sheets of paper, Jeremy creates his work using an ink well and brush, creating the work you see in the actual size and ratio that it is printed in.  There are some who may call what he does madness, but if it is indeed madness, it is madness with a method and a madness to be celebrated!

Jeremy’s iconic Cursed Pirate Girl character lovingly rendered with incredible attention to the tiniest detail.

I was fortunate enough to interview Jeremy at the beginning of this year about his exuberantly imaginative creations and how he brings them to life.  Here is part of that interview:

Sean:
Could you tell me how you first conceived of Cursed Pirate Girl?

Jeremy:
I was experimenting with all these different styles and I was really into tattoo art for a while. I don’t actually have any tattoos, but I admire the simplicity and classic design sense for its illustrative nature.  I was doing a series of pin-up girl type illustrations with Prismacolor markers and pencils, and I did this pirate girl or pirate woman, and she had an eye patch – I think I even included the X on the eye patch – and she had a treasure chest on her shoulder and she was standing on this wreck where a shark had come through.  It was a very complex drawing for me at the time and I really just liked the idea.

Then I was asked to do a four page mini-story for a local university that was putting on a comic art show and they were going to make a comic book for the program and anyone who showed up to the opening would receive one of these for free.  So, we got a bunch of local artists together like David Petersen of Mouse Guard fame.  So, he did a four-page story and I did a four-page story, based on that character.  I decided that I wanted to make her more like Alice in Wonderland, or Dorothy, or Little Nemo in Slumberland, so I made her a kid instead.

Then David came out with Mouse Guard and he self-published that and I saw how well that did.  So I decided to take that Cursed Pirate Girl idea and make a whole story out of it.  That’s where it all came from.

Sean:
Your work is incredibly detailed, both in regards to your intricate line work as well as to the multitude of characters and visual motifs that you use, so how long does it take you to complete a piece on average?

Jeremy:
Well, it has changed since when I first started.  I think I was much quicker, but I can’t remember exactly how quickly it was.  I do know that now it takes about a week per page.  I get more obsessed with just how much detail I can put into things.  I think for book one, I was using a size zero brush and now I’m working with a double zero brush, so I use a much smaller brush sometimes.  For me, it’s a personal challenge to see how much I can put into something and try to outdo the last page I did and to have an evolutionary process.  I know that I will get it done, but it will take a long time, and I hope that many of my fans will decide to stick in there because they want to see it in print.

Jeremy A. Bastian proudly holds “The Sacking of the Royal City of Cub” which was created over the course of an astonishing 500 hours. Even more astonishing is the level upon level of minute detail incorporated into the work which measures at only 13.5 x 19 inches. To truly appreciate Bastian’s incredible draftsmanship, one must look at this under a magnifying glass.

Sean:
Cursed Pirate Girl has been quite a success for you so far.  It’s been through four printings by Olympian Publishing now, I think, and is being gathered into a collector’s volume featuring the first three issues published by Archaia Entertainment, which means that your readership will expand even further.  Could you tell me how you feel about Cursed Pirate Girl’s legacy?

Jeremy:
I can’t wait to see what more people think about it.  It will be kind of difficult since it will be different from what people are used to because it will be a while before the next volume is ready to come out.  I am working on Volume II, Issue #1, but I’m only a handful of pages into it and it’s going to be a pretty big book. There will of course be a space, or gap, between the two books [Volume I and Volume II].  A lot of people I’ve talked to and explain this to, have said, “Oh, you know, don’t worry about it. It’s worth taking the time to work on it.”

That’s how I’ve always seen it.  If you cut corners to meet deadlines then you deny what you really want to put into it, because you have to meet a deadline for somebody else.  I’ve never really understood that.  The bottom line is that you’re supposed to learn to work within those parameters, but I’ve seen artists start off really strong and then they get signed with companies and have to cut corners to meet deadlines, and their work has suffered considerably for that.  That’s just not something I’d want to put out there.  I want to put out the best work that I can and that’s part of the obsession.  I know that I can improve and be better.  I look at Issues #1 and #2, and even some in #3, there are things I wish I could have taken more time on and drawn them in a different way.

I’m interested to see what people think of it.  I’m really excited that it will be getting a much broader audience.  I’m really excited to see what Archaia does with it because the books they are putting out are really nice, really high quality, and very interesting stuff.  I think it will fit in well with them.

Jeremy’s colossally epic and extraordinarily detailed masterpiece, “The Sacking of the Royal City of Cub” (Ink on paper, 2011), made exclusively for the patrons of his unprecedented Kickstarter campaign.  This monumental piece was created over the course of three months (500 hours of actual work) and features a plethora of eccentric characters from the “Cursed Pirate Girl” universe.

In the above video, you can see the printing of the exclusive bookplates that will be available at the exhibition and will be included in the advance copies of the hard cover edition of Jeremy’s graphic novel of which we will have 100 copies on hand.

Here are details on the upcoming Grand Opening and exhibition…

LOS ANGELES, CA – Century Guild, the leading Art Nouveau and Symbolist gallery in the world, is opening a West Coast location with a Grand Opening December 1st with an exhibition celebrating one of the most intricate artists of any century, Jeremy Bastian.

Reception:  December 1st, 2012, 6-9 pm
Exhibition:  December 2nd and December 6-8th, 2-8 pm

Century Guild
6150 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

For further information, contact Melissa Chapel:
800-610-2368 or chapel AT centuryguild.net

For more on Jeremy, please visit  and ‘like’ the official Jeremy Bastian (HERE) and Cursed Pirate Girl (HERE) Facebook pages!  For more information on Century Guild, be sure to ‘like’ the official page (HERE)!

– Sean

In 1976, “Follow You, Follow Me” was the first hit on ...And Then There Were Three…  and the beginning of their most celebrated era.

Why the Genesis reference?  Because every ending is a beginning.

Century Guild in Chicago has closed its doors.

Century Guild – Chicago

For thirteen years, we’ve been thrilled to call Chicago home.  From our years as a staple at Chris Kennedy’s fantastic Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fairs to the opulent Winnekta Modernism and other North Shore events, we’ve been lucky to work with some of the top collectors in Chicago in the fields of Art Nouveau, Arts+Crafts, and early Modernism.

We were ahead of our time as dealers in artworks of the Vienna Secession, and while our early displays of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele works on paper were met with many a confused look, over the years we steered many of the abovementioned collectors out of more traditional collecting paths and into Secessionist work.  Thanks to the faith and trust- and good taste- of those collectors, the last few years saw our collective risks rewarded, and our reputation in Chicago was cemented as ahead-of-the-curve curators in the world of Art Collecting.

Our Midwest presence also allowed us to see works which we earmarked in our inventory as top examples enter the extraordinary permanent collections of The Art Institute of Chicago and The Detroit Institute of Art.

Thomas Negovan giving a Detroit Institute of Arts tour on Gustav Klimt and The Vienna Secession:

Thomas Negovan and Stuart Tomc in Chicago, 2009

All that said, we have come over time to realize that with very few exceptions the art that we were most passionate about, most excited about handling, was being shipped to California.  Cabaret artworks, Silent Film posters, rare theater and romantic, occult-themed artworks from the 19th century… these are the things that get our blood racing!

So, as of the day following the Gail Potocki exhibition in Chicago, Melissa, Chandra, and I have moved to Los Angeles to oversee the opening of the new Los Angeles Century Guild gallery.  Our friend Jerry Suqi is managing a pop-up location in Chicago through the end of the year nextdoor to the historic Logan Theater on Milwaukee, and expect to see Stuart and Jack pop up from time to time at both locations as events allow.

Chandra Darling, Thomas Negovan, Melissa Chapel – New York 2011 – Staff of Century Guild – Los Angeles

We will continue to curate and deal in 1880-1920 artworks, and will continue to push the envelope of what we feel is exceptional- yes, we will still have Klimt and Schiele, but much like ten years ago when we were encouraging collectors to take a risk on “this Klimt fellow” we are looking forward to devoting more attention specifically to the careers of Gail Potocki and Jeremy Bastian.  We think they’re pretty special, and are certain that you will agree.

The gallery formally opens December 1, 2012 with a book signing by none other than Mister Jeremy Bastian.  Artworks from his book Cursed Pirate Girl will be on display, and in a rare opportunity will be available for sale for one weekend only.

Jeremy Bastian’s Cursed Pirate Girl

I can’t tell you how excited we are… the space is grand, the ceilings are high, the location is prime.  We’re right in the center hub of the Culver City Arts District, and have amazing exhibitions planned.

We always appreciated when people would travel from out-of-town to attend one of our Chicago exhibitions, and we can say without hesitation that our Los Angeles shows will take it even farther.  Watch our calendar, book your tickets, and we will see you on the West Coast!

CENTURY GUILD

6150 WEST WASHINGTON BOULEVARD

CULVER CITY, CA

DECEMBER 1- DECEMBER 2

Artist will be present to sign special Advance Hardcovers with Limited Edition bookplate.

JEREMY BASTIAN: CURSED PIRATE GIRL

]]> http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/and-then-there-were-three-century-guild-moves-to-los-angeles/feed/ 1 Overlord Century Guild Chicago Thomas Negovan and Stuart Tomc in Chicago, 2009 Chandra Darling, Thomas Negovan, Melissa Chapel - New York 2011 - Staff of Century Guild - Los Angeles Jeremy Bastian's Cursed Pirate Girl http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/clinging-to-life-an-examination-of-gail-potockis-the-raft-of-the-medusa/ http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/clinging-to-life-an-examination-of-gail-potockis-the-raft-of-the-medusa/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:16:45 +0000 SeanChase http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/?p=1915 ]]> Amongst humans there is an inherent fascination with the sea and with the water from which we once sprang.  Over the years we have come to understand not only the life-giving and life-sustaining necessity of our oceans, but also the primal beauty of them.  Because of water’s inconstancy and ability to adapt to its environment, it has been used as a representation of the human emotional condition, but also as a symbol for the vast cosmos with its many changes and unknowns.  We have imbued water with symbolic importance, as we have observed the connection between the tides and the cycle of the moon, and how those cycles reflect the very changes of human and animal life on Earth.  We have created myths and fables: of seductive water nymphs and sirens who lure sailors to their dooms; of indomitable gods and goddesses who were borne of and ruled over the seas; of heroes whose mightiest weapons were plucked from mystic waters; and of babies sent in rafts either to meet their demise or to seek sanctuary by divine providence in new lands.

The image of the shipwreck has permeated all cultures as a cautionary metaphor for what happens when we drive ourselves too far, ignorant of the many consequences, or when we allow ourselves to be seduced by convenience and comfort rather than rationality.  Where once the shipwreck was a symbol of human failure or death, today, with the advances of technology allowing for mass transportation of passengers and cargo, the shipwreck is frequently a disaster not only for those immediately affected.  It is also a disaster for the environment and for the thousands of different forms of aquatic life that must survive, or do not survive as so often is the case, through the aftermath.  So, it should come as no surprise that there must be a cautious equilibrium between ourselves and the oceans lest we wish to face catastrophe.

“The Raft of the Medusa” by Gail Potocki (2012, Oil on linen, custom frame).   Taking her title from Théodore Géricault’s 19th Century painting of the same name, Gail Potocki has created another masterpiece of environmental symbolism.  This particular painting is both a lament for the destruction of nature in the past and warning of the inevitable effects should such destruction continue unchecked.

The idea that a man-made tragedy can now take a great toll on non-human life as well and wreak havoc upon the environment and ecosystems is the predominant theme in Gail Potocki‘s 2012 painting, “The Raft of the Medusa“.  The painting is a stark work of environmental symbolism that summons up an unforgettable image of a catastrophic shipwreck, which leaves in its wake a fire and plumes of smoke, a slick of oil on the ocean, and various birds and animals desperately clinging onto a woman, who represents all of humankind, for survival.  While the proverbial rats leave the sinking ship and turn the woman’s collar into a makeshift raft, birds doused in thick oil panic and struggle to survive as they flail their wings trying to free themselves from the crude.  The woman, who is garbed in an opulent dress and seemingly oblivious to the destruction and turmoil around her, discards a partially eaten apple with insouciance.  Upon that apple is a sticker with a bar code, a further reminder of humanity’s attempt to control and capitalize upon nature at nature’s expense.  In Gail’s own words, “I’ve often used the apple as a symbol of the Earth.”

Detail from “The Raft of the Medusa” by Gail Potocki (2012, Oil on linen).  The woman’s hand lets go of the apple from which she has bitten into, letting it fall into the sea.  The apple, which represents the Earth or the environment, has been used as a resource, a mere commodity, harnessed by humankind to suit their purposes and then unlovingly discarded.  Meanwhile, the oil-soaked birds flail in distress around the woman.

Detail from Gail Potocki’s “The Raft of the Medusa” (2012, Oil on linen). Here, we can see the rats as they become dependent upon the woman, clinging to her collar for survival from the wreck which her species was responsible for.  Standing on the back of her collar is a Vacanti mouse.  The Vacanti mouse or “earmouse” as it has commonly been referred, was a SCID mouse (severe combined immunodeficiency), which are frequently used for research in biology.  The Vacanti mouse had bovine cartilage grown under its skin, which then developed into the shape of an ear.  Experimentation on rats and other rodents is yet another example of how humans have benefited from nature and from creatures for our own gain.

The title of Gail’s painting is an appropriation of and homage to Théodore Géricault‘s 1819 painting “Le Radeau de la Méduse“, which was one of his best known works and is a cornerstone of 19th Century French Romantic movement in art.  Géricault’s painting was an ambitious work by which the French artist hoped to secure his place among the great Romantic painters of his day.  Inspired by the 1816 wreck of the naval frigate, the Méduse, off the coast of what is now modern-day Mauritania.  This wreck was attributed primarily to the inexperience and incompetence of its captain, the Viscount Hugues Duroy de Chaumereys.  The ship was poorly navigated and had drifted a hundred miles off of its charted course, which lead to it running aground on a sandbank in West Africa.  The ship carried over 400 people, of which 160 were crew members, but the capacity of the life boats was only 250 people.  Those who could not be afforded room in the lifeboats built a makeshift raft, which was intended to be towed by the lifeboats, but the 147 people upon the raft was too great a number and almost immediately the raft began to take on water, so the raft was cut loose and the people on it left to their own devices.  Within the first day, they had eaten the only food they had and their drinking water was lost amidst an on-board scuffle.  The survivors were driven mad by exposure to the elements and starvation.  Weak, malnourished, and mutinous, they began to turn on each other, eventually resorting to murder and cannibalism.  By the time a rescue crew attempted to save those on the raft, only fifteen of the 147 people were still alive.  The rest had perished by starvation, by sickness, by being consumed as food, or by being thrown into the sea and some of those did so of their own volition.  The resulting press surrounding the tragedy became a scandal and an embarrassment for the French monarchy.

“Le Radeau de la Méduse” by Théodore Géricault (Oil on canvas, 1819).  In selecting the subject matter for what he hoped would be the painting that brought him acclaim, Géricault chose to depict the harrowing moment in which the fifteen survivors of 147 upon the raft see in the distance an approaching vessel sent to rescue them.  Géricault had thought that he could rise to prominence by featuring the wreck of the Méduse and its survivors as his theme, however, the painting became controversial during its 1819 unveiling at the Paris Salon in part due to its aesthetic departure from the serenity of the Neo-Classical, but also due to the sensitive subject matter and the heightened emotional response it elicited.

Gail Potocki‘s painting echoes some of the same themes as Géricault’s, such as the struggle to survive in the wake of disaster and the incompetence and arrogance of mankind.  While Géricault’s painting was inspired by the wreck of the Méduse, Gail took her inspiration from more recent disasters such as the Exxon Valdez in 1989.  The analogy is there and basically the same, but the great difference is that over the years we have better developed our ability to save human lives through safety precautions and rescue efforts, however, so often lessening the devastation wrought upon nature and wildlife isn’t made a priority until it’s too late.

An oil-soaked bird from the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989.

A detail from “The Raft of the Medusa” by Gail Potocki (2012, Oil on linen).  All too true to life, Gail’s meticulously detailed and emotionally wrought depiction of the birds covered in oil is representative of the thousands of birds who have been affected by oil spills and similar man-made calamities.  Through her art, we are allowed to experience their anguish, to empathize with them, and to accept that there must be change.

Eventually we must ask ourselves:  What happens when we overestimate our own abilities and underestimate nature?  Any conflict which arises from such a circumstance almost invariably sees a drastic loss in life, though not always human, and yet there are often consequences of horrendous proportions which some of us choose to see while others do not.  We have a responsibility to ensure that the planet we depend on, and that all systems of life depends on, is taken seriously and respected.  Nature is not to be trifled with.  This theme, this reverential treatment of nature has oft been expressed in poetry and the arts, as has the warning for humankind not to let their ambitions outreach their grasp.  Gail’s environmental paintings are a bold, always beautiful yet often unsettling, and essential reminder that we are a part of nature, that our actions do carry with them an effect (be it for good or bad), so there must be an attempt to protect the natural world around us or accept that its demise will also be our own.

– Sean

The most comprehensive exhibition of Gail Potocki’s paintings to date, with important works never before offered for sale. Contact thomas@centuryguild.net for details on individual paintings.  CLICK on image for substantial enlargement.

Something else that has been a long time coming: tonight, after the gallery closes its doors, the keys will be handed over to our technical division and the art and staff will start packing up.  Yes, tonight is the last exhibition in our gorgeous loft in Chicago… because we are opening a retail location in Los Angeles!  I don’t want to take away from the importance of Gail’s art, so more details on that will be forthcoming.
But tonight, come celebrate thirteen years in Chicago at our final exhibition!  Please dress nicely, your date will thank you.

CENTURY GUILD

2041 WEST CARROLL

CHICAGO, IL

Saturday 29 September 2012

6-9 pm Exhibition, 10pm performances.

Doors open from 6-9.

Acclaimed modern Symbolist painter and Century Guild exclusive Gail Potocki will be featured in her very first Chicago solo exhibition later this month. The exhibition will feature a large assortment of Potocki’s latest works exploring her criticisms and concerns over mankind’s relationship with the environment. Gail Potocki is a graduate of Chicago’s School of Representational Art and has been featured in Juxtapoz Magazine and The Huffington Post. A monograph of her work was published in 2006 by Olympian Publishing entitled The Union of Hope and Sadness: The Art of Gail Potocki, with text by Thomas Negovan and contributions from Disinformation’s Richard Metzger and author Grant Morrison. She has exhibited globally, including The H.R. Giger Museum, the Laguna Art Museum, and seminal Los Angeles art gallery La Luz de Jesus; she was also one of a select few artists hand picked to provide an original work to the Metallica tribute exhibition “OBEY YOUR MASTER” at Los Angeles’ Exhibit A Gallery. A solo exhibition of her work was held in Culver City, CA at Billy Shire Fine Arts.

The Raft of the Medusa. Oil on linen in handmade frame, 2012.