Pure Evil Gallery presents ‘Birth of Namahage' new Monotype prints by Grady Gordon.

About

Pure Evil Gallery presents ‘Birth of Namahage' new Monotype prints by Grady Gordon. Opening July 7th, 2011 at Pure Evil Gallery 6-9pm opening event. In his fifth series of monotype prints, Grady Gordon examines the 'Namahage,' an elusive member of the Japanese Yokai, an amalgamation of various monsters and myths. In Western culture, the Namhage is equivalent to the boogeyman. The strangely ironic wretch is known for donning the masks of other monsters. In this series the faces aim to show what is hiding behind the mask. Utilizing a grouping of nondescript patterns and textures as the vessel, Grady illuminates the beast that moonlights as another. 'I want people to make their own monsters when they look at my prints. I'm interested in the internal dialogue this may create; a remembered boogeyman,' explains Grady. ‘Birth of Namahage' is composed of 23 new monotype prints on rives bfk paper. It is Grady's first solo European show. There will be a limited edition show zine available during the shows run. (b.1979) Grady Gordon is originally from santa fe, nm. in the high-desert he grew up alongside various art forms, most notably the native American 'katchina' wood carvings of numerous spirits. these spirits allowed him to investigate the world beyond our limit. The japanese 'yokai' are also another great source of inspiration. In his prints, grady searches for xrayz of mortality, the face behind the veil, and aims to illuminate what is staring back at us. The monotype print is a study of impermanence. unlike other forms of printmaking the monotype offers only one copy. the original image on the plate is then given back to the ether, back into the fabric. Grady has shown work in santa fe, los angeles, london, and paris...