BOOK REVIEW: The Art of Luke Chueh Bearing the Unbearable

“Like a cuddly Trojan horse, Chueh’s work is pretty on the outside, but nice and macabre on the inside” - Entertainment Weekly

The eagerly awaited first book from critically acclaimed pop surrealist artist Luke Chueh, THE ART OF LUKE CHUEH presents Chueh's bold and unusual art -- employing minimal color schemes, simple animal characters, and a seemingly endless list of ill-fated situations.

Chueh has enjoyed success in the Lowbrow and Pop Surrealist art movements, and has risen to the forefront of the art scene in LA., featuring at sold-out shows, including the popular Crazy 4 Cult at Gallery 1988, in and around Los Angeles for the past four years. With a dedicated following, some of Chueh's characters have been recreated as a line of toys. Chueh also designed the cover for Fall Out Boy’s album Folie a Deux.

When I first opened the book and started flipping through it and looking at it I was instantly mesmerized by the gorgeous pictures and layout. I settled on reading Jensen Karp's introduction and how they have worked together and achieved more success then they ever thought possible. What really surprised me though is what happened the night they first met. I don't want to give anything away but in this digital age of instant information you think you have read and know just about everything but you can still learn something from reading a book. I'm glad Luke is still with us creating great work. 

The book is really nice at 192 pages (the listing for it on Amazon says 160 and its wrong) and measuring 9.3x12.5. From 2003-2009 his paintings, toys and other work is laid out by year. Details on each piece are also listed like title, size, year and medium. My only suggestion would be to include the show or event a piece was created for as well. The introduction for each year is done by a friends such as Pete Wentz (Fallout Boy), the Madden brothers (Good Charlotte), Gary Pressman (Copro Gallery) and others. There are insights from Luke through out the book as well about his work. 

Overall it is a great body of work and interesting to see his progression as an artist through the years. Hardcore fans and casual fans will be entertained and gain a new appreciation for his work. Titan Books and Gallery 1988 have done a brilliant job with this one.

Frank (Luke Chueh vs. Donnie Darko) is still my favorite

The book is available for pre-order at Amazon.com right now and its on sale. The book will be released on June 12. Before the official release he has a book signing and art show at Gallery 1988.

 

 A retrospective featuring paintings from 2003-2009. To commemorate the release, Gallery 1988 be showcasing a selection of original sketches from which several paintings from the book were based on.
The sketches will be on display from June 9th through June 16th at the Gallery 1988 Melrose location.
7021 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 90038.
(The gallery will be closed on Monday and Tuesday of that week.)
June 9th - June 16th, 2012.

• Book Signing & Art Show
  Gallery 1988 (Melrose): Saturday June 9th, 2012 (12pm - 4pm)
  7021 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 90038
  Phone: 323-937-7088
  www.gallery1988.com
  
  
• Book Signing & Print Release
  Nucleus Gallery: Saturday June 16th, 2012 (6pm - 9pm)
  210 E. Main Street. Alhambra CA 91801
  "I simply had to represent in my own 'hood, and Nucleus is the only gallery book store in the area that has been there to support likes of me and many other like minded artists. We'll also releasing an exclusive print to compliment the book and the signing at this location."-Luke"
  www.gallerynucleus.com
  
  
• Book Signing & Print Release
  Gallery 1988 (Venice): Sunday June 17th, 2012 (12pm - 2pm)
  Gallery 1988: 214 Pier Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90405
  Phone: 424-238-5988
  www.gallery1988.com
  
  
• Book Signing & Print Release
  Giant Robot: Sunday June 24th, 2012 (1pm - 4pm)
  2062 Sawtelle Boulevard. Los Angeles CA 90025
  And just in case you missed the first three signings, they're doing one last signing with his friends at Giant Robot. Again, he'll also releasing an exclusive print to compliment the book and the signing at this location.
  www.giantrobot.com
  www.gr2.net

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