Peddlers of Death

Detail from Peddlers of Death by David Stoupakis

I've been meaning to write a glowing review about the current exhibit of David Stoupakis' and Tom Bagshaw's work at the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City. Since it's closing on August 27, I figured it was now or never. So although there is only one week left for this show, I think it is excellent enough to merit my writing time and your viewing time.

I've got a fascination with morbid topics, such as death, ghosts, horror stories, and most sorts of Gothic styling. Both of the artists on exhibit deliver on the dark imagery, albeit in different manners. David Stoupakis presents a haunting set of serious imagery in his show "Walking Within These Shadows" in which ghostly young women or girls drift wraithlike within a gloom-filled, Stygian environment. These images hint at an underlying narrative of death and sorrow.



The Choice by David Stoupakis


The milky eyes and pale flesh of his figures imbue even the robust images with an enervating sensation of undeath. They are animated by a mysterious, umbral energy.

Detail of You Left a Hole So Big by David Stoupakis

Tom Bagshaw's "Beautiful Imperfections" also features ghosts and terror, but in a more playful manner. His images often feature cartoon-like figures among the monsters and their victims. Many are drawn from folklore, such as the various Japanese yokai depictions.



Yuki-Onna by Tom Bagshaw


It's a playful approach to the macabre. Oddly, some of Bagshaw's images felt more poignant to me than Stoupakis'. For example, the lifeless face of the girl in Stoupakis' Dirt Nap presents a sad and haunting image, but there is no personality behind the eyes; she is unknown and has gone into the unknowable beyond. On the other hand, the narrative and personality of the figures in Bagshaw's There's Always One is so accessible that one can't help but feel a weird mix of humor and sorrow.



There's Always One by Tom Bagshaw


I really enjoyed this show. Both artists have compelling and distinct styles in approaching a "gothic" sensibility. I highly recommend checking out these artists.

Enjoy!!!