Vincent Castiglia Paintings in Blood at Center of New Show

Vincent Castiglia, an artist who exclusively uses human blood to craft his dark-surrealist paintings, is the focus of a new show at Dark Art Emporium Gallery in Long Beach. “Autopsy of the Soul” offers both new works and a retrospective of the artist, who’s also been commissioned by patrons such as Gregg Allman, Gary Holt of Slayer, and Margaret Cho (using their blood, instead of his). The show begins on June 8.

“Vincent uses his own blood as the medium for his masterworks,” says Jeremy Cross, co-curator and director of the gallery. “But like his ‘paint,’ these pieces flow from deep beneath the skin, not relying on the shock and awe factor of his sanguine hues. Vincent’s works are an expression of his evolving soul, of a tortured past struggling to be expressed and alleviated. They are in many ways Rites. Acts of intention. Rituals of exorcism and hope. When viewed in person these compositions demand not only your attention but a sense of reverence. With intricately detailed lines, accosting and reverent imagery, we are pulled in to an inner sanctum. A chapel where art is the deity, a healing simulacrum, and Vincent Castiglia, its most devoted disciple.”

See more work from the show below. On the artist’s “sigils,” he says “through working with sigils, I have also devoted a portion of the show to personal & universal healing titled ‘Medicina Interiora.'”