Arent van Bolten, while known for his work as a sculptor and silversmith, drew grotesque monsters and figures. He was born in Zwolle, most likely around 1573. The piece featured in this post is a copperplate print, 14.7 x 19.9 cm, and was published by Pierre Firens, Paris, 1604–1616.

License: This is a faithful photographic reproduction of an original two-dimensional work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain.

Portrait of Rob by Joe Becker, Oil on panel

All of us here at Grotesque Art would like to thank artist Joe Becker for taking the time answer our questions. An even better thank you would involve everyone reading this getting over to the High Roller Society for the Savant exhibition, of which Joe Becker is artist and Curator. Other artists featured include Rory Dean, Peggy Kouroumalos, Derek Mainella, Richard Stipl, Erik Tidemann, and James Unsworth.

Great to have you on the site, Joe. Roll questions.

In the Savant exhibition press release, the word ‘subversive’ is used. How does this word relate to your art?

I think the work is subversive. Ever since I was in art school myself and my friends always clashed with the teachers and other students and made work that was more challenging than the other students. Today as a 33 year old man I find myself still making paintings that people would label as subversive and the kind of work I like is not the normal kind of work you find in booths at art fairs or in most galleries. I think the work in Savant is a tough sell but I believe all of it is great work. I know here in Canada it is definitely not the kind of work that is in style. In Toronto if it won’t fit in an average condo than it won’t sell. Most of the artists in the show have exhibited in Toronto and I think you can count on one hand the number of pieces we have sold collectively in that city. Internationally it does much better but that has given a lot of us from Canada kind of a chip on our shoulder that our work doesn’t get exhibited or acknowledged in our home city.

Here at GrotesqueArt.com, we like the image of the tortured artist. What piece, for the Savant exhibition or otherwise, tortured you the most? Details please.

This question really should be answered by Rory, Richard or Peggy because for me speaking from experience working in a manner where you need to meticulously paint or sculpt every little detail is definitely torture compared to the work that I have done for the show. I had the most fun of my career doing the work I did for the show, My previous work was a lot more labour intensive and freeing up and loosening up was a great revelation to me. I think its my best work to date and the thought of going back to execute the old master type tight paintings to me just doesn’t seem worth it. I also spent 4 years working as an assistant to Richard so I know what goes into making his work as well and if I had to go back to those days where we would sit in a room together for 8 hours painstakingly sculpting and painting those heads and figures I think we would kill each other.

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"Face Off" by Joe Becker, Oil on panel

For all art aficionados who value the grotesque, the Savant exhibition is open now until November 27 at the High Roller Society in London.

The artists featured in the Savant exhibition include Joe Becker, Rory Dean, Peggy Kouroumalos, Derek Mainella, Richard Stipl, Erik Tidemann, and James Unsworth.

As it says on the High Roller Society website, Savant reveals all, right down to flesh, genitals, and bodily fluids. We know you enjoy the grotesque, and if you also enjoy classical painting, celebrity roasts, and more then go for a visit. The Savant exhibition can be viewed Thursday-Sunday from 12 noon-6pm, and by appointment. Don’t miss seeing in person the works of these talented artists.

From the Savant press release:

Using the precisioned techniques of Old Master painters and sculptors, Savant presents the works of 7 artists that derisively confront the contemporary art world with some of the most bizarre images a twisted mind can conjure. Highly trained in media ranging from oil paint to resin, each artist has gone through the motions to fully understand the rules of artistic mastery, so that they now know how best to break them. Hailing from Canada, the Czech Republic, Norway, and the United Kingdom, Savant showcases these artists together for the first time, revealing what has been coined as ‘New Gothic Art’ in its prime. Extremely subversive, often offensive, ‘idiotic’ art has been, until now, lightly trodden territory, particularly in the politically-correct western world. Curated by artist Joe Becker, Savant’s subject matter lives up to its word, promising to make your eyes pus and your jaw drop off completely.

Read more about Savant and get directions by clicking the link below…
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The Witch by Francisco Goitia features the grotesque portrait of a witch woman.

License: This is a faithful photographic reproduction of an original two-dimensional work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain.

The painting Poemes Babares by Gaugin features a young woman in the foreground with a creepy, mysterious figure to her right side.

License: This is a faithful photographic reproduction of an original two-dimensional work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain.

In Slaughtered Ox by Rembrandt, the viewer is confronted with the carcass of an ox. The background is dark and there is a woman’s head staring in the direction of the ox.

License: This is a faithful photographic reproduction of an original two-dimensional work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain.

Both Members of This Club by George Bellows features two fighters locked in combat while the grotesque faces of the audience leer in the background.

License: This is a faithful photographic reproduction of an original two-dimensional work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain.

License: This is a faithful photographic reproduction of an original two-dimensional work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain.

The Sick Child by Gabriel Metsu features a pale, sick child who hangs limply in the woman’s lap. Beside them on the cupboard stands a stoneware bowl with a spoon. On the wall behind the woman and the sick child hang a maps which has been rolled open, and a framed print showing the Crucifixion of Christ.

License: This is a faithful photographic reproduction of an original two-dimensional work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain.

The Witch of the Walnut Tree is an illustration featured in The Book of Hallowe’en. The book seeks to provide a history of Hallowe’en and was published in 1919.

License: This media file is in the public domain in the United States. This applies to U.S. works where the copyright has expired, often because its first publication occurred prior to January 1, 1923.