Chet Zar News: June 2009

Friday, June 19, 2009

Saturday, June 6, 2009

When Worlds Collide

Well, the opening went better than I could have hoped (I guess I could have hoped to sell every piece of art but with the economy as it is, I knew better). Lots of people showed up and Debi and her crew really did an excellent job at displaying the work. And both of us did sell some work (which always helps).

In case you hadn't heard, "When Worlds Collide" is a two man exhibition of my father, James Zar, and myself. I was a little bit nervous about showing with my father since he was my artistic mentor growing up and he has about 40 years painting time on me. But I've never been one to chicken out of great opportunity.

It had been a goal of ours to show together for the last few years. The idea seemed great to us- my dad's brightly colored dreamlike fantasy work contrasted with my own dimly lit desaturated nightmare visions- it was a very Taoist idea, very Yin Yangy. It's funny because we both have a really similar upbeat attitude about life, but you probably wouldn't get that from seeing my work. In any case, it was Debi Jacobson at L'Imagerie gallery who stepped up and agreed to host our weird little show.

Like I said, lots of people showed up including Robert Williams. That was really an honor. Without his pioneering artistic efforts, there would be no place for artists like myself to show. Thanks to Robert and a handful of artists like him who did all the hard work that legitimized our movement (created a movement, really), I am now able to paint monsters and make a living at it and I will be eternally grateful for that.

Here are some pics from opening night. Oh yeah, the show is up until June 20th, so if you couldn't make it to the opening, there is still time to see it in person. You can get all the info here: www.limageriegallery.com.