In honor of my affinity for low-brow art, I am posting Holland Cotter's Times article which examines the uniqueness and utter paradoxical nature of Basil Wolverton's artwork: its counter-culture status, yet simultaneous ability to serve as a zeitgeist to mid-century ethos. His life in and of itself wasn't much less perplexing. A church-going protestant (Wolverton was a member of the sect, Radio Church of God and later the Worldwide Church of God), the artist sought to be known for his Biblical drawings, but is instead one of the most noted illustrators of methodical renderings of the grotesque subsidized by his best client, Mad Magazine. More than anything, I am inspired by Wolverton's ability to do the wrong thing at the right time, a serendipitous underdog. The artist's work is on display through Aug. 14 at the Barbara Gladstone Gallery, 515 West 24th Street, Chelsea; (212) 206-9300. If you're not in New York, enjoy the show vicariously through the enclosed link (more of a profile of Wolverton than proper review of his exhibit) which includes clips and images.
-Joel Sager
PS: link insertion did not work. You will have to manually go to the article at www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/arts/design/23basil.html?_r=1&ref=design. Sorry for the trouble.
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