Preview: David Welker – “Under The Marquee” Solo Exhibit @ Spoke Art [SF]
Known for doing PHISH’s Rift album art, the NYC-based illustrator/muralist/painter/poster artist continues his foray into the gallery world w/a new solo exhibit.
David Welker, may not have a household name outside of the visual art world, but if anyone knows who he is then Phish fans phans definitely do. Like many others, I first came across the New York-based visual artist’s otherworldly psychedelia and intricate line-work via his dreamlike all blue cover art for the Vermont band’s 1993 album RIFT. One of the strongest efforts in their entire catalog, it’s artwork features (almost) every track on the LP represented in one way or another through David‘s beautiful visual interpretation.
After his success with RIFT, Welker went on to travel the country doing commissioned landscape mural work and eventually re-entered the rock poster world in 2009, adapting his “large-scale painting style to a smaller-scale pen-and-ink technique.” From paintings and murals to illustrations and poster work, he’s built up a solid portfolio across the board, forging a uniquely identifiable aesthetic that draws from some timeless influences. As the bio on his website explains, “Welker’s illustration style mixes depression era surrealism with a contemporary take on underground comix, and his hand rendered lettering is an uncanny blend of 19th Century sign typography mixed with equal amounts of modern graffiti.” He open plays with perspective, utilizing elaborate intertwining elements and a classic illustrative style.
His art prints have become highly sought after and, in 2015, David Welker focused all of his combined influences and exhibited his first ever gallery show at the Hoerle-Guggenheim in New York City. Now, this Saturday, July 7th, he will be doing what already marks his second solo exhibit for Spoke Art at the galleries flagship location in San Francisco. Titled Under The Marquee, Welker‘s new solo show will feature 24 new original pieces.
The following information comes to us via the press release
The dense ink drawings created for Under the Marquee explore nature blending with man-made architecture. Drawn to the theatre marquee as a beacon and gathering place, Welker’s abstracted lettering and signage figure prominently in the new body of work, though never (and intentionally) fully revealing the mystic message within.
The veiled narrative of David’s latest take the viewer on a psychedelic journey to castles by the sea, improbable anthropomorphized structures, tranquil landscapes, and beyond. Welker describes the brimming abstracted forms as “mutated theatrical marquees” that seem to shift and reveal themselves with each examination.
Check out preview images for the exhibit below the following event details…
WHAT:
Under the Marquee
A solo exhibition by David Welker
WHEN:
Opening reception: Saturday, July 7th, 2018
6pm-9pm
WHERE:
Spoke Art Gallery
816 Sutter Street
San Francisco, California 94109
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Opening is ALL AGES
Limited edition prints will be available first to attendees of the opening night
reception on a lottery basis
Show on view until Saturday, July 28th
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2072244363100721/
