Following last weeks preview of ‘Dark Water’ (seen here,) Hi-Fructose is proud to present another look at some of the works debuting this weekend at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica. Curated by Hi-Fructose Volume 19 cover artist Martin Wittfooth, the painterly exhibit features a variety of HF alums such as Charlie Immer, Aron Wiesenfeld, Andrew Hem and Josh Keyes. Get an extended preview of the show after the jump, and if you’re in the area, be sure to swing by the gallery on Saturday, November 12th to view the exhibit in full.

Our Vol. 19 cover artist, Martin Wittfooth, opened his newest body of work, ‘The Passions’ (previewed here) last week at NYC’s Lyons Weir Gallery. Drawing from his past work of incorporating animals as metaphorical portraits for the decay and unrest of the world, his new works bare the same world-weary animals set amidst unsettling landscapes. Yet here, Wittfooth tackles the notion of religion and spirituality, posing his figures in the shapes of antiquated religious art, referencing such famous works as ‘The Pietà’ and ‘The Ectasy of Saint Teresa.’ This spiritual fervor, illuminated by terrible yet beautiful sacrifice is seen within the brilliance of the fire, often haloing the animals, martyred by their bleak surroundings. View more images of the work and opening night photos after the jump.

For his first solo showing in New York, Hi-Fructose Vol. 19 cover artist Martin Wittfooth (who’s studio we visited here) draws upon the long lineage of religious imagery and theme in ‘The Passions.’ The suffering of the saints finds itself manifested throughout the animal kingdom as beasts and birds exemplify classical martyrdom in a modern human influenced setting. Though the artist’s new oil paintings are devoid of people, the parables of environmentalism and universal expressions of suffering resonate loudly throughout the body of work, creating a symbolism that personifies the human and holy experience.’The Passions’ opens on October 13th at Lyons Wier, get a look at four new works from the show here on Hi-Fructose.

Tucked in a corner of a shared Brooklyn studio, Canadian Artist Martin Wittfooth prepares for his newest solo show, ‘Gardens’ at Roq la Rue on December 10. The animals within ‘Gardens’ are in quiet states of transcendence, whether as homes for new growth or levitating within an abandoned room. Paying homage to old Dutch Master painters and mythology, the work appears accessible and illuminated while at the same time carrying an undertone of apocalyptic dread and warning. Hi- Fructose correspondent JL Schnabel recently had the opportunity to visit Martin in his studio to view the new paintings.

Tonight Martin Wittfooth opens his new show “Tempest” at Copro Gallery in LA, featuring his trademark semi apocalyptic paintings featuring structured landscapes falling into ruin, populated by pervasive if haunted wildlife. Wittfooth’s latest work shows the gradual yet profound turn from the slightly campy, cartoony vein of his early work to more contemplative, somber, and immensely powerful narratives that fairly vibrate with tension. Wittfooth hasn’t completely abandoned his sense of the whimsically absurd though, and this is apparent in his new sculptures featuring goggle-eyed cats and naked dogs crawling out of mailboxes. Also showing is Chris Ryniak’s “The Burgeoning”.