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May Issue 2008
Durham Art Guild in Durham, NC, Features
Works by Dave Alsobrooks
Dave Alsobrooks, a painter from Efland, NC, is exposing the Culture of Coruption (COC) at the Durham Art Guild in Durham, NC. The exhibition tackles political themes and will be on view through May 8, 2008.
The COC portraits utilize an array of materials and techniques ranging from motor oil and matchbooks to rubber hammer marks and collaged money. The Durham show is the third hanging of COC, with previous shows in Chicago, IL and Boone, NC. Alsobrooks began creating the series in 2004.
"Through specific mediums each portrait in COC reflects the words or deeds of the individual represented. In other words, the medium truly is the message" says Alsobrooks.
For example, President George W. Bush is rendered in motor oil. Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez in phone wires. Former Chief of Staff for Dick Cheney, Scooter Libby, in white correctional fluid. Other officials depicted include Condoleezza Rice, "Dick" Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Gale A. Norton, Michael Chertoff, Tom Delay, Karl Rove and Paul Wolfowitz.
The show is best categorized as political satire with the 11 portraits illustrating key elements of alleged scandals and biographical information about various governement officials. The artist maintains his tongue is firmly in cheek.
"It's as if the majority of members in this most recent Culture of Corruption are predominantly from one side of the aisle. I'm just putting a viewpoint out as a departure for dialogue," says Alsobrooks.
Accompanying the COC paintings is a book, displayed on a gilded oil barrel. The volume elaborates on the political satire of the exhibition. Alsobrooks maintains the show should be taken seriously, but not too seriously. "It isn't a condemnation of votes or affiliation. My aim really is to generate dialogue about some serious problems in our nation's policies as set forth by the current administration, says Alsobrooks. "Make no mistake about it - there are serious topics and a few bold statements, but the content isn't unpatriotic. I envision our nation regaining control of its domestic and foreign agendas in time to make this world a better place. I believe the best place to start is to acknowledge the broken parts and to fix them."
For further information check our NC Institutional
Gallery listings, call the Guild at 919/560-2713 or visit (www.durhamartguild.org).
Images from the show can be seen at (www.coc.davealsobrooks.com).
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