Artist Christopher Galley has a show coming up at Gallery 464 that portrays the deadly sacrifices made by some of the most iconic figures in modern day history. The artist’s work pays tribute to those who literally put their lives on the line in order to fuel their adrenaline, so that they could achieve near-death experiences that would rocket them to fame, and ultimately cost them their lives.
Actors, musicians and daredevils who lived lives on the edge included Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley and Evel Knievel. All of these men led adrenaline-fueled lives, even when they were not performing on stage, in front of the camera or jumping the Grand Canyon.
McQueen’s vices took the form of racing planes and motorcycles, and even included performing many of the dangerous stunts in his own movies. Elvis took the long winding road of barbiturates, which kept him going for as long as he could, in a light that eventually burned too bright, even for The King. Not to be outdone, Evel Knievel took everything that he did to the extreme, and used his own body as an instrument of destruction in order to gain the fame that he craved.
Enter the world of these thrill-seekers as told by the works of artist Christopher Galley. The mixed media show is called “Sticks and Stones”, and is a dark, colorful assortment of wheatpastes and paintings that create large, intense visuals in order to pay homage to the subject matter at hand.
WHO: Christopher Galley – First solo show!
WHAT: Sticks and Stones – Wheatpaste Paintings
WHERE: 464 Gallery – 464 Amherst Street
WHEN: Friday, January 25, 2013, 6pm – 10pm
Exhibit run: January 25 – February 7