The Dark Art Emporium has unleashed its latest exhibit, which is a double feature highlighting the works of PeeMonster and Michele Melcher. After nearly two years since my last visit, I was elated to return to the gallery for the opening reception. The show brought together elements of the ethereal and macabre and definitely satiated my appetite for dark art.
Copro Gallery in Santa Monica has unveiled its latest exhibitions: “Brain Salad Surgery,” a H.R. Giger tribute group art exhibit, and Joe Vaux’s solo show, “Escape Pod.” I attended opening night, and it was incredible to see so many stunning pieces in person.
Did you know there are descendants of Bram Stoker alive today? One of these family members is Dacre Stoker who is the great grandnephew of the notorious Draculaauthor. He’s taken up the mantle as overseer of the Stoker legacy and, together with his wife Jenne, manages the Bram Stoker Estate. For years, he’s been traveling worldwide, giving presentations on his ancestor and the creation of Dracula and his other literary works. The Menagerie Oddities Market sponsored his most recent tour across California, and he delivered a fascinating lecture at the SugarMynt Gallery in Pasadena. This was done in conjunction with the gallery’s latest art show, the “Bite Me” Vampire Exhibit. It was an evening fit for the undead, and I’m here to share it with you.
The fall season just got spookier with the debut of Chet Zar’s “Chaos” and Dos Diablos’ “Cementerio Club.” This past weekend, the two creators unveiled a series of dark art pieces at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, California, that touched upon themes of death, destruction, pandemonium and the supernatural.
“Poor Worm, Though Art Infected” 48″ x 36″ – Oil on canvas (2014)
Never has death appeared more alive than when gazing at the works of David Van Gough. He is a necrosurrealist artist whose pieces explore themes of decay, esotericism, religion, the shadow self and mortality. His paintings lay bare the morbid terrain he treads as he creates, beckoning the onlooker to join him.
Dark art on display at Dark Art Emporium in Long Beach, California
Before the pandemic hit, I could often be found taking in the latest dark art exhibits happening local to me. In fact, when I started Vamp Jenn’s Corner in 2018, I was covering dark art frequently on my blog because every month there was always a new exhibit happening. It was no surprise that in-person art events largely ceased for more than a year starting in 2020, but when restrictions began lifting in the City of Angels, spaces excitedly reopened their doors and welcomed patrons to admire the macabre works of gifted artists up close again.
For those whose artistic tastes lean towards the grotesque, bizarre and otherworldly, then the following dark art galleries in Los Angeles will tickle your fancy. I’ve paid a visit to most of these establishments and look forward to continuing to cover future art shows. Here is a selection of L.A. dark art galleries you need to visit if you find yourself in the area.
Two ancient vampire households—The House of M and The House of Oh—will engage in the most unholy of wars on November 20th at Crucible Gallery. The battle will unfold through the ominous creations of artists Martin Darkside and Shane Izykowski who will be showcasing new work for their upcoming exhibit Darkness Eternal. There will be pain, there will be death and there will be plenty of blood.
Japanese artist Meimaro returns to The Dark Art Emporium, this time for her first U.S. solo exhibition “Devotion Bound.” I had the opportunity to see her work in the group art show “Dakuato” in 2019 and was completely taken in by her creations. What you’ll find is plenty of blood, horror and grotesque flesh. Continue reading “The Dark Art Emporium Debuts Meimaro Solo Exhibition “Devotion Bound””→
He was ordained as a reverend into the Church of Satan by Anton Szandor LaVey in 1992, has placed curses on politicians and corporations, and caused media mayhem when, during his Apache Whiskey Rite as a political protest, he allowed himself to be anally penetrated by a woman wearing a harness with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s strapped to it. Continue reading “Steven Johnson Leyba’s “FIRE” Exhibit & Ritual at The Dark Art Emporium”→
Blake Armstrong’s “Morpheus” exhibit at Lethal Amounts
For his first West Coast solo exhibit, artist Blake Armstrong debuted “Morpheus,” a collection that delves into a dark, ethereal world that exists beyond consciousness. It’s only fitting that the opening reception coincided with the rise of the full moon on January 10th—a peak time to manifest dreams into waking reality. The series, which is named after the Greek god of sleep, invites onlookers to experience otherworldly visions and confront beings hidden in the deepest parts of our psyches. Continue reading “Blake Armstrong’s “Morpheus” Solo Exhibit at Lethal Amounts”→