Gabriel’s Trumpet: Comic Books as Fine Art
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Intelligence is what
makes it all worthwhile.
The WAH Center in Williamsburg Brooklyn, the
emerging international art community of New York, is considered by many to be
the nexus of the art world – a rare distinction indeed. And Yuko Nii, founder
and artistic director of the WAH Center and recipient of the 2001 Award For
Excellence granted by New York’s Governor Pataki, believes comic book art to be
as valid as any fine art. So when she invited The New York City Comic Book
Museum (www.nyccbm.org) to be a
part of her show “CHARACTERISM,” I could not say no.
“CHARACTERISM”
features a global phenomenon in the contemporary art market, initiated by a new
generation of artists exposed to pop cultures. The show emphasizes those arts
which incorporate cartoons, comics, Japanime, manga and more as their main
element of expression. The show examines how these forms of pop culture
influence the development of the current art market. So, it seemed only fitting
that we partner up with this cultural center and expose more people than ever
before to our beloved art form.
“We have some fine art in the show, and
we would like to have some fine comic book art in there as well to give viewers
a perspective,” said Yuko. That was all I needed to hear. Immediately I
gathered together some fine examples of original comic book art to include in
this impressive showing.
Pages from Phil Jimenez’s Wonder Woman
and Jim Valentino’s ShadowHawk.
Superhero sketches from Joseph
Michael Linsner and Gene Colan.
Jason Narvaez’s art from Secret
Agents, published in Third Eye Publishing’s Annual #2 www.arghstudios.com/jason.
Art
from Christine Norrie’s popular KUNG-FU SPACE GIRLS www.spookoo.com.
Art from
Mario Ruiz and Samson: Judge of Israel, and the upcoming Son of
Man from Metron Press www.metronpress.com
.
Manga-infused
art from Shoto Press artists Rizky Wasisto Edi and Seijuro Mizu www.shotopress.com.
“CHARACTERISM”
at the WAH Center, in cooperation with Lunarbase Gallery and the New York City
Comic Book Museum, opens Saturday, April 5th, with an opening
reception from 4-6 p.m. The exhibit runs through April 29th. If
there is one way to put comic book art on the radar of the art world, this is
it.
Until next time…
This is a weekly column from our friend
David Jay Gabriel, Executive Director and Founder of the New York City Comic
Book Museum. You can email David at Nyccbm@hotmail.com.
s4kids@aol.com”>comics4kids@aol.com</A>.<br><br></div>
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