Lovebird Studio Displays New Works by Michael X. Rose

Written by Bentley Laymon Monday, 30 April 2012 22:19

Rosendale, NY.- Lovebird Studio is pleased to present "Michael X. Rose: The Garden of Eden and After", opening on September 3rd. In The Garden of Eden and After, Michael X. Rose presents a new body of work that examines the Fall of Man.  These oil paintings draw upon the great Romantic tradition of Peter Paul Rubens, Nicolas Poussin, and Eugène Delacroix and depict the eternal battles of Good against Evil.  Evil in its most hideous form, the UnDead Nazi Zombie.  Who can withstand and prevail against that great Evil? In his artist statement, Rose says: "Thematically I seek to discover or create that pivotal moment in human events when there is no turning back; disaster or salvation is imminent. The scene is a finely balanced fulcrum about to tip; the viewer can speculate on the outcome. Romantic influences combined with a realization that in the greatest Shakespearean works all the main characters end up dead, to me,  are the ingredients of a great painting.

Artists that I most admire- Gustave Moreau, Nicolas Poussin, and Hieronymus Bosch, Peter Paul Rubens nurture my natural fondness of ruins, myths, fate, and tragedy Italian Horror movies of the 60’s and 70’s by Mario Bava inspire, as does the revolutionary music of that period, especially The MC5 and Blue Cheer. The MC5 were a musical explosion and societal assault. Their motto was ”Dope, Guns, and F**king in the Streets.”  I  combine that emotion with ideas about painting and pyrotechnics from Joe Coleman, who proves that you can be both a performance artist and a serious painter. Performance pieces are done where I chop off my hand with an axe, pass a sword through someone’s head, or spontaneously explode using hidden copper sheeting as protection. In the studio I paint like an Old Master, using oils in the classical sense; beginning with canvas hand stretched with copper tacks, rabbit skin glue sizing, triple oil-priming, sanding smooth and finally two coats of black ground. Opaque images begin and dozens of layers of oil glazing complete the illusion within a glowing, shimmering surface.  By utilizing pure pigments alone to create images maximum conceptual and formal room  is left for the artist. The appearance of the familiar, traditional surface is the most successful at letting people draw close, inspect the artwork for aesthetic pleasure, and finally be horrified, disgusted, raptured, or enthralled at the macabre manifestation presented. Epiphany is the goal, reflection on the eternal. Metaphysical psychic transformation through sublime visual terror and surprise."


Rose's biography (which should be taken with a large pinch of salt) states; "directly descended from the last pirate publicly hung in Charleston, South Carolina, legendary scourge of the seas Earl Hugh Rose, Michael X. Rose's known history dates from December 12, 1973, when the wretched child, of perhaps four years of age, was found abandoned on the steps of the Sisters of Mercy Home for Boys in St. John, Newfoundland. Active discouragement from all pleasurable habits and the repeated, prolonged physical abuse at the hands of older, stronger boys finally caused the Sisters to seek placement of young Rose elsewhere.  Since 2001, Rose has eked his living exclusively from his artwork; painting, drawing, bookmaking, and occasional tattooing. When last seen, on July 25, 2011 he was known to be researching occult phenomena in a vermin infested barn on the Bruynswick property. He hasn't been seen by human eyes from that time. Cult activity is widespread in the area. A local police investigation remains open. At this time, they are awaiting lab results of a hideous ectoplasm that was found at the scene."

The Lovebird Studio is located on Main Street, Rosendale, NY, and describes itself as a "gallery of fun". Although they do not have a website, they can be visited on their facebook page ... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovebird-Studio/132224366820345

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