Roq La Rue's Halloween Show Opens Tonight

If you think it's too early to talk Halloween, you must really hate those Xmas tchotchkes that have shown up in major retailers near you. We, on the other hand, think Friday the 13th is the perfect day to start celebrating.

And so does local lowbrow institution Roq La Rue -- they're kicking off their traditional Halloween show ("Monster Mayhem and Day of the Dead Delights") tonight. In a break with tradition, though, it's not a group show, focusing instead on two artists: Pooch and Ojimbo:

Michael "Pooch" Pucciarelli (Florida) creates intricately detailed paintings that feature his carnavalesque worlds, usually in which characters are sent on careening rollercoaster rides through worlds populated by movie monsters, skeletons, and underground pop culture icons. Pooch the allows himself the freedom to explore various cultural symbols, but also keeps inspired by digging deeper into those respective subjects. His newest works reflect his constant exposure to Florida theme parks, where surreal carnival ride facades reflect the false fronts of modern society. Meaning aside, Pooch’s paintings are created to hold the viewer’s attention, which is quite a challenge in today’s TV and computer age. Pooch’s technique is intensive, and he paints the devil in the details.

Artist Jim "Ojimbo" Sheely (Ohio) carves mind boggling detailed wood pop culture totem poles and wall pieces. Carving almost exclusively from kiln dried American basswood, Ojimbo originally was entranced by the carving of cultures in which it was integral to their culture, such as the Pacific Northwest Coast tribes, New Zealand's Maori, and Balinese carvers. However, rather than simply emulate it, Ojimbo decided to stay true to his own sensibilities and his interest in the dark comic grotesque qualities of art that has become a hallmark of much contemporary pop art. Ojimbo often sands down his pieces, to give them a timeworn look, like a toy handed down through generations.
His attention to technical detail and sublime color sense ratchet each piece up from amusing curio to sophisticated folk art like sculpture.

The opening runs from 6-9 tonight, and features music by DJ Vodka Twist. Gallerist Kirsten Anderson promises "lots of halloweeny goodness." If you can resist that, you apparently have a heart made of of pink Disney princess pillows.