Bob Dob

Bob Dob, White Head, oil on panel, 8" x 10"

Tug of War is Hemphill's current show featuring artists who are skilled illustrators and designers by trade. This particular piece seems to conform with my recent art mission: buying art that references ideas about the value of whiteness. I love that this figure is dabbing white cream on a throbbing whitehead that has sprung up on his forehead, which is shortened by an afro that takes up half the painting's surface. Maybe I'm reading too much into this.

Tug of War showcases artists working in a style that is often referred to as "Lowbrow" or "Pop Surrealism." These terms refer to an alternative art movement that arose in Los Angeles, California in the 1970s, and has roots in underground comics, punk music and other California subculture. The exhibition is a survey of many of the most recognized artists working in this style.