Giant Robot Store and GR2 News

Robert Williams is a champion of lowbrow art who has barged past the velvet rope of fine art with wonderfully complex, completely thought out, and masterfully executed oil depictions of Western Civilization gone horribly wrong. His work is so far out from the fine art world that he was forced to found Juxtapoz magazine to not only create context for his work but start a movement of street-level creativity as well. Even so, he is largely dismissed in high art circles and equally ignored in pop culture realms. When the excellent documentary on the artist was screened last week at Comic-Con, he was introduced as “Robin Williams.”

Mr. Bitchin’ should help prevent such mistakes in the future. It details the artist’s evolution from hot-rod garages to high-end galleries, and features luminaries such as Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, Don Ed Hardy, and R. Crumb, as well as members of Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blondie, and Butthole Surfers. While effectively and convincingly telling William’s story, it provides quite a primer on subcultures.

I met with Williams the day after the movie showing and a subsequent panel about him. As affable as he is intelligent, we had a casual yet charged conversation in the compound of Gentle Giant (which has released a miniature bust of the artist and is assisting the artist in realizing a series of large sculptures) in anticipation of the film’s release on DVD and digital platforms on July 30.

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Robert Williams is a champion of lowbrow art who has barged past the velvet rope of fine art with wonderfully complex, completely thought out, and masterfully executed oil depictions of Western Civilization gone horribly wrong. His work is so far out from the fine art world that he was forced to found Juxtapoz magazine to not only create context for his work but start a movement of street-level creativity as well. Even so, he is largely dismissed in high art circles and equally ignored in pop culture realms. When the excellent documentary on the artist was screened last week at Comic-Con, he was introduced as “Robin Williams.”

Mr. Bitchin’ should help prevent such mistakes in the future. It details the artist’s evolution from hot-rod garages to high-end galleries, and features luminaries such as Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, Don Ed Hardy, and R. Crumb, as well as members of Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blondie, and Butthole Surfers. While effectively and convincingly telling William’s story, it provides quite a primer on subcultures.

I met with Williams the day after the movie showing and a subsequent panel about him. As affable as he is intelligent, we had a casual yet charged conversation in the compound of Gentle Giant (which has released a miniature bust of the artist and is assisting the artist in realizing a series of large sculptures) in anticipation of the film’s release on DVD and digital platforms on July 30.

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GR X Comic-Con 13: Nekomitaina Hone GID – Mari Inukai Signing   In the wonderful series of Sekaiseifukudan, it’s time to release another limited edition Glow in the Dark, and this time it’s the Nekomitaina Hone GID! A purchase will get you a free limited edition print. Mari Inukai will be Signing and sketching on Saturday July 20th 11am! Giant Robot Booth 1729
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GR X Comic-Con 13: Nekomitaina Hone GID – Mari Inukai Signing   In the wonderful series of Sekaiseifukudan, it’s time to release another limited edition Glow in the Dark, and this time it’s the Nekomitaina Hone GID! A purchase will get you a free limited edition print. Mari Inukai will be Signing and sketching on Saturday July 20th 11am! Giant Robot Booth 1729
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This roundup of shows begins in San Diego, where I spent a long weekend for Comic-Con. Sorry, no partying with Dethklok or Andrew WK, but there happened to be a couple of rad shows at one my favorite venues of all time: The Casbah. Of course, there was Vivian Girls (above) but first came The Mattson 2 (below). A perfect way to cap off Comic-Con’s preview night.

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