Tag Archives: Chet Zar

‘Conjoined Vs. Grotesque’ Group Show Celebrates the Monstrous

by Andy SmithPosted on


Samuel Araya

Artist Chet Zar and collector-author Jeremy Wagner have co-curated “Conjoined Vs. Grotesque,” a group show celebrating “the Denizens of the Dark.” The show arrives Jan. 19 at Copro Gallery and runs through Feb. 16. Artists on the roster include Zar himself (who was last featured on HiFructose.com here), Kazuhiro Tsuji, Jay Weinberg, Shane Pierce, Louie Becker, Matt Dangler, Gene Ambo, Claudio Bergamin, Max Verehin, Vincent Villafranca, Dan Harms, Mark Rudolph, Miroslav Petro, Zack Dunn, Dominic Holmes, Carin Hazmat, Magnus Gjoen, Ronald Gonzalez, Bob Tyrrell, Rob Smits, Kevin Estrada, Wes Benscoter, Ed Repka, Dan Seagrave, Andreas Marschall, Scott Musgrove, Ryan Matthew Cohn, and others.

Chet Zar Looks at Classic ‘Villains’ in New Show

by Andy SmithPosted on

In a new show at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, Chet Zar revisits the classic baddies of pop culture with the show “Villains.” Just as he does in his art, the artist is able to tether his fascination with the dark and dystopic to art history. “I am interested in the villain archetype as a subject matter,” Zar tells us. “I always have been fascinated by them and I thought it would be fun to do my own take on some. Every great story has a great villain. They are just as important as the heroes. In fact, they create the opportunity for heroes. But more to the point, I just think villains are more interesting and fun to think about. I mean, which part of the Bosch’s ‘Garden of Earthly Delights’ triptych do people talk about? ‘The Garden of Eden’ or ‘The Last Judgement’? I think it’s at the core of what Dark Art is all about- dark imagery is just more fun and interesting to explore.”

Inside Copro Gallery’s New Guillermo del Toro Tribute Show

by Andy SmithPosted on

This month, Copro Gallery in Santa Monica once again pays homage to Mexican director Guillermo del Toro, helmer of horror-tinged films like Hellboy, Pacific Rim, Pan’s Labyrinth, and others. “Inspirations, Curiosities & Other Oddities” collects work from more than 50 artists. In turn, the show also pays tribute to the names that influenced Del Toro: Edgar Allen Poe, HP Lovecraft, Mary Shelley, and others.

Painted Prosthetic Project Raises Funds for Homeless, Wounded Veterans

by Andy SmithPosted on

More than 20 artists participate in the Painted Prosthetic Project, which raises money to assist homeless and wounded veterans. A gallery show, kicking off on Jan. 6, displays the works–created on prosthetic legs– before they’re auctioned off online at the end of the month. The gallery hosting the show is Arch Enemy Arts, which is based in Philadelphia. After the end of the run there, the pieces are shipped to Orlando to be auctioned off.

Chet Zar’s ‘DY5TOPIA’ Brings Horror to Copro Gallery

by Andy SmithPosted on

Chet Zar, a painter, digital animator, and make-up effects artist, brings his dark, dystopic vision to Copro Gallery with the solo exhibition “DY5TOPIA.” Running through Nov. 5, the exhibition transforms the entire gallery to match the doom and gloom of Zar’s bizarre world of monsters. Yet, unlike other fictional worlds, the monsters and creatures in Zar’s images are sometimes suffering, fearful, or in a broader state of anxiety. Zar was last featured on HiFructose.com here, as part of his 3D group exhibition “Conjoined.”

Chet Zar’s 3D Group Exhibition “Conjoined” Celebrates 6 Years

by CaroPosted on

Surrealist and sculptor Chet Zar’s brain child, the “Conjoined” group exhibition, notorious for its mixture of whimsical and disturbing art works, has compelled crowds to Santa Monica’s Copro Gallery for years. Featured here on our blog, the show is a presentation of 2D and 3D pieces by internationally known and up and coming artists alike who delve into subjects that are the stuff of our dreams and nightmares. The idea first came about in 2010, when Zar, who comes from a background in move special effects where 3D maquettes are a big part of the process, was eager to see a show devoted to more sculptural forms. “Conjoined” celebrated it’s 6th anniversary last Saturday with the opening of “Conjoined 666”, named after the “number of the beast” in most manuscripts of chapter 13 of the Book of Revelation, of the New Testament, and also in popular culture.