Thom McCarthy has graced our stage once again, and this time with an electric guitar in hand.  Please enjoy this wonderful footage of Thom performing live at PhilaMOCA during the opening reception of David Welker’s Tangible Abstraction.

NYC October ’06 with Milo

David Welker was born in upstate New York on July 30th 1964. From early on drawing and painting has been the central focus of Welker’s life. As a child he exhibited extremely advanced rendering skills and was interested in scenic and figurative drawing through his high school years. At Syracuse University he honed his painting skills and immersed himself in the study of art history where he began to choose his influences ranging from Max Ernst and Francis Picabia to William Glackens and George Bellows. After graduating from Syracuse University in 1986 he began a series of ambitious large-scale works on canvas and paper.

“Rift” — Phish album Cover View larger image.

At this time Welker’s themes varied from figurative storytelling pieces to elaborate dreamscapes with a strong emphasis on technical mastery.

Night Birds View larger image.

Welker’s two decade long professional career has ranged from large-scale murals for the world’s wealthiest patrons, to album covers and posters for the legendary rock band Phish as well as renegade art shows in Boston and New York. In 1993 Welker painted the cover of Phishs’ theme album entitled “Rift”, which received worldwide acclaim from album art enthusiasts and was recently included in Relix magazines “Top 10 Most Iconic Album Covers of All Time” collectors’

Cross Section NYC View larger image.

edition. Currently Welker is expanding upon and refining an abstract phase of the past 7 years, which draws on all his acquired skills and influences to depict a quasi-literal environment, which challenges the borders of conceptual and pictorial space.

Welker is a traditionalist by nature and believes wholeheartedly in the power of ancient mediums like paint. “Every generation predicts its’ own doom as well as the end of art as we know it. This is one of many human proclivities that I like to reflect on and also reject.” Welker lives and works in downtown New York City. His work is in private collections worldwide.

Artist Statement,

“There are many influences in my life that naturally wind up affecting my art. It has always been a difficult thing for me to narrow my repetoire down to just one approach. Currently I am placing emphasis on a series of pictorial, urban landscapes that reflect my desire for art to be accessible and human and represent the things I see on a daily basis. And as an antidote to the strict discipline that these paintings require of me, I am simultaneously creating a series of abstract paintings which depict topographical or arial views of organic landscapes with the encroachment of human structures into them.”

David Welker

This is our new blog, and almost everything has been moved here…but if you really want to see the old one then click below.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR BLOG AT THE OLD SITE.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Viaduct Exhibition

Contact: Jamie Moffett
Ph: 215.840.8552
Email: solutions@jamiemoffett.com
(Philadelphia, PA) April 22nd, 2011 Jamie Moffett Media Design’s will showcase photography of the Reading Viaduct by filmmaker Jamie Moffett at PhilaMoca on April 29th-30th between 7PM and 11PM and May 1st between 12PM and 5PM in the Contemporary Mausoleum of Contemporary Art. The gallery show will also include artwork from graphic designer Hanan Abdulrahman, photography by Carl Sexton and music by Multiplybynine. The art exhibit will raise awareness of the future Reading Viaduct park and promote the film “Building a Park in the Sky,”, which will begin production at a later date.
Where the Reading Railroad once ran lies an abandoned train track waiting to be renewed and revamped for Philadelphian residents. Building a Park in the Sky will highlight how Philadelphia could build a park overlooking the city on top of those abandoned tracks. The film intends to follow a forgotten path to potential renewal and will offer resolution for a city’s betterment as citizens fight to make Philadelphia a greener place. The exhibit at PhilaMoca will highlight the beauty of the tracks and allow a mingling of individuals interested in being a part of the movement towards a greener Philadelphia.
“Philadelphia’s Reading Viaduct is a park whose time has come – New York has the Highline, Paris has the Promenade Plantee…we can build a park in the sky distinctly shaped by Philadelphia’s move towards a green, sustainable city. PHS proudly supports Jamie Moffett, Viaduct Greene and the many other advocates working towards this important endeavor.” Drew Becher, President – Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
“There is no question in my mind that Philadelphia’s Reading Viaduct Project will lead to the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood.”- John Randolph of the Schuylkill River Trail
Come be a part of this art gallery exhibit that will be another step towards Philadelphia’s greener and picturesque future.
For interview, contact:
press@jamiemoffett.com or 215.839.8013
###
Facebook Invite: [Link]
Hanan Abdulrahman prints: [Link] [Link] [Link]
Promo video: [Link]
Photos on Flickr:[Link]
Donate: http://donate.buildingaparkinthesky.org

Do this, or you will surely have regrets for the rest of your life…and that could lead to an ulcer which would clearly not be good for you.

4 out of 5 doctors agree.

Gallery night Fri., April 15, 5-9 p.m., free, exhibit through April 27, Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art, 351 N. 12th St.

Ever since the warped and brightly colored placards of the psychedelic era, concert posters have been yet another place for art and music to collide. “Sonic Textures,” PhilaMOCA’s exploration of the (literal) pageantry of concert promotion, runs throughout the month of April, but this gallery night adds a special layer of musical appreciation to the mix: a screening of selections from Billy Martin’s (Medeski, Martin & Wood) performance documentary, Life on Drums. For musicians and newcomers alike, Martin’s film features a visit from his very first percussion teacher, explorations of the possibilities contained within each kit, and showcases of Martin’s compositions and improvisations. The fusion of art and music in both presentations brings continuity to this night of cultural re-examination. The oft-overlooked artistry of concert posters and the usual background positioning of the drummer suggests that both subjects were overdue for some spotlight. Live performances from Ghost/Light and Girls Rock Philly will complete the multisensory experience.

Morning MUSUKO is an exciting collaboration between some of the most talented Japanese and non-Japanese musicians around, and the worlds only J-Pop Big Band.  We were happy to have hosted this fantastic show at the Mausoleum.  Check out the footage we got!

I love this band.  Just watch this video, recorded live at the Mausoleum earlier this month….and you’ll understand.