Revival Attempt No. 1
A solo exhibition at the 3rd Ethos Gallery in Brooklyn, New York. November 2018.
With “Revival Attempt #1”, Rupert attempts to reignite intrigue and curiosity in the timeless traditions of still-life painting and portraiture. Through the use of dark and absurd symbolism, he repackages a style commonly associated with old wealth and brings it into the vibrant realm of street art and illustration. This notion is reinforced by his “analogue” approach of combining digitally manipulated compositions with spray paint, stencil, airbrush and grisaille painting.
November is the time of year around Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It is Mexican tradition to prepare ofrendas, offering up old photographs, food and flowers which are ever present in Rupert’s work, to invite back into the world the spirits of the dead. This show in a sense does the same. The old motifs and macabre symbolism accompanied by a dose of color and humor, with a modern creative approach, breath new life into the past. It is important to embrace old tradition and pay tribute to the dead but also to keep a light heart while doing so, because as the Latin saying goes ... “Memento Mori” (Remember that you have to die).
