The Loovre #2

Next up in the Loovre: Vblast!

The Confluence bathroom functions as a second gallery space. Each installation coincides with the gallery's main exhibit. In conjunction with the upcoming exhibit Our River, Confluence will hold an opening for The Loovre, featuring the work of local artist Vblast.

Vblast is a contemporary artist working in the fields of painting, sculpture and multimedia art. His work revolves around the themes of History, Conflict, and Entropy. Multi disciplinary by nature, the artist often combines painting and three dimensional elements to create a melange of color and texture.

Surrounded by visual and audio chaos in his subterranean studio dubbed “ Manland Art Labs,” Vblast often works on multiple pieces simultaneously. Deadlines, curing schedules for materials, mood and musical mayhem all contribute to the creative flow. Audio stimulation is an important part of the process at the Art Labs. A byproduct of 25 years in the music industry, Vblast was the front man for the Seattle based industrial performance art band The Pleasure Elite which left a trail of spilt beer, blood, broken glass and rabid fans across the United States and Europe. Hard core heavy metal, spoken word, jazz, and random movie dialogue is the staple for any day’s given tasks. The artist’s motto is “ Keep it loud bro, real loud.” Combined with piles of textbooks, tear sheets, magazines, and natural objects of dubious origin, eye candy as inspiration is always within arm’s reach. A pot of hot coffee stands ever vigilant to bolster the flesh when it sags beneath the demands of the will.

Devotion to his craft goes beyond the description of job or career, and into the realm of an ever biting need to create that borders on masochism and pathology. Vblast states “the term ‘artist’ defines me and my life in its entirety. Since the day I could grasp a pencil, I have been making art in a variety of forms and mediums. It is the process as much as the end result that consumes me as well as a dedication to quality. Whether or not the work is accepted or even liked is of no concern to me. It is the moment of interaction between myself and the canvas or object that drives my obsession. I will paint ‘til death, and with some luck, I will die in my studio in front of a really kick ass piece. Hopefully finished. That would be the shizzle.”

The opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 4-8pm. The show will run through July 26th.