10.30.07
Gabriel In New York City
In New York City, on Thursday September 6, I showed a few antagonistic paintings in a tiny sweltering East Village basement. Highlights included a long chat with a New York poet about the enigmatic state of literature from the perspective of Generation Y still searching for its own voice, networking with a fellow who owns and operates the same image press I’ve had my eye on for some time now, and the pride of beautiful young fancies who flashed this old poet and painter a smile or two.
Then there were the three young folks from Denmark who spent several long stints staring at my large centerpiece called FOR DENMARK, which is a painting I whipped out in a mere fifteen minutes in a bluster over the Cartoon Rage going on in Europe and across the Islamic world on February 12, 2006. The three Danes, two young guys and a gal, approached me at one point to confirm their interpretation of the work, thanking me for the peace. Well, a Christ-figure complete with stigmata and tears of blood, two fishes painted in a corner and a Jewish bagel popping up from a toaster, and the words FOR DENMARK etched in red across the background renders the explanation rather bluntly, doesn’t it?
Shout out to Alex (girl in photo), Scott, Tom, Julian, Kari, Ted, Un, Ethan and Liberty Sue, each for your generosity of spirit…
There was some talk of an Antagonist Movement Berlin gallery which interested me for some swirl down the road, and I even sold a couple packs of postcards to two NYC artists…
If you are a MySpace member you can view more pictures here.
10.04.07
Benefit for Iraq Veterans Against the War
This past weekend, I was privileged to donate thirteen pieces of art consisting of five paintings, seven prints, and a copy of my book to a silent auction fundraiser for the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) hosted by my friend, Martine Zundmanis.
Here, in Martine’s own words:
Friends—
Thank you all for coming to my place for the benefit party Sunday!!! I think it’s safe to say that a grand time was had by all and we were all able to show our love and admiration for Iraq Vets Against the War vets and supporters and for the Washington Peace Center volunteers and staff.
You all pulled together over $1200 in donations and art bids – UTTERLY AMAZING!! I want to especially thank the artists who all donated so much more than expected: DARREL WILLIS, GABRIEL THY, JAMES SHELVIN, ISIS, & NICOLE ENTWISTLE. I donated pieces made by DORIS ZUNDMANIS and OBERON BENASUTTI & Jose Rodriguez donated a piece made by VERONICA VELASCO MENDEZ. Thanks to their extreme generosity the auction raised over $500 dollars from art lovers who had fun out-bidding each other and will treasure your pieces.
Thanks also to Adam Kokesh (Nat’l IVAW Co-Chair), Geoff Millard (DC IVAW Chapter Pres), and Jay Marx (Wash. Peace Ctr. Coordinator) for giving us their inspiring words and updates on their respective organizations current campaigns and actions. TROOPS HOME NOW! NO WAR ON IRAN! To contact them go to www.ivaw.org and www.washingtonpeacecenter.net
It was a privilege and an honor to have poet Rick and Carlos Arredondo join our gathering of friends and neighbors and Jim and the Peace Bus with all the Vets, CodePinkers and Greens! Rick’s poems are TRUTH – fantastic, and he and Mike got the party singing strong with live music! We also have a big shout-out to Jim for loaning and Glenn for bringing the BBQ grill and to Echo, Norman, Jay, and my big-bro Reich for set-up and clean-up help – you guys ROCK!
I had a wonderful time hosting and thank you so much for supporting IVAW and Washington Peace Center! Together we struggle and Keep Up the Fight!
Love & Peace–
Martine
