A Shenere Velt Gallery Presents:

Marking the Fifth Anniversary of the U.S. War on Iraq
Kurt Brian Webb’s
War: Dance of Death in Black and White and Blood Red All Over
March 9 – May 4
Opening Reception: Sunday, March 9, 3-5 pm

The dancing skeleton in graphic art symbolizes death, but also an affirmation of life. At the same time, the artist mocks our everyday struggles, lust, desire for wealth, and the demise of society. As early as the 12th century in Europe, the inevitability of death was expressed through myth, superstition, tradition and ceremony. As ways to inspire more meaningful lives, artists in humorous, gentle or unmerciful terms have created death-inspired poems, illustrated manuscripts, biting graphics, and wall paintings as forceful visual reminders (memento mori) that mortality should be kept in the forefront of the mind.

The Dance of Death tradition persists as one of the most enduring thematic genres in art. In the shadows of war, poverty, starvation, vast separation in socioeconomic classes, political unrest, crime, and international terrorism, the Dance continually adapts to change while never losing sight of the most basic principles. Grim to ironically cheerful, images of death remind all people that life is fleeting, and we should seize the day. This global multicultural art form will persist well into the new millennium.

For his interpretation of this immortal theme, Webb uses images of soldiers unknowingly intermingling with malevolent skeletal figures. Examples include a saluting commander being saluted back from death with an obscene gesture, a horn-playing corporal being mockingly conducted by death, and a corporal with artillery shell being embraced  by death who mimics an erection with his middle finger.

Each of Webb’s two-color prints is printed directly from the woodblock on Japanese paper and is superimposed over a contemporary news story relating to the still-current war on Iraq. Webb’s oeuvre is social commentary that provokes the viewer through wit, satire, and a touch of cynicism.

Kurt Webb’s work has been seen in A Shenere Velt Gallery before, in our juried shows and in our Tenth Anniversary show. Now for the first time in Los Angeles the Gallery presents an opportunity to view the complete series in his Dance of Death collection, a remarkable excursion into the surreal world of war then, now, and forever.

The show runs from March 9 to May 4, with an Opening Reception on Sunday, March 9, from 3-5 pm. Regular Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, 10-5, and Friday, 10-3. For further information please call us at 310.552.2007.

The Opening Reception is free and open to the public. Regular Gallery hours are Monday–Thursday, 10-5, and Friday, 10-3. Group tours may be scheduled by appointment. For further information please call us at 310.552.2007.

Centennial Countdown Event #8

Regular Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday, 10-5, and Friday, 10 – 3. Group tours may be scheduled by appointment.