See the art of a Latin lover!
A Dumbo art gallery will unveil an exhibit of comics by an Italian master of erotic comics on March 12. Cartoonist Guido Crepax is little-known in the United States, but this exhibit at the Scott Eder Gallery hopes to introduce audiences to an artist whose talent is more than sexy, says the show’s curator.
“Guido Crepax is a master storyteller whose erotic comics empowered women while turning both men and women on,” says Scott Eder. “He used sometimes surreal and dreamlike imagery in a very distinctive drafting style to bring life to characters and action in a unique way.”
Crepax’s sensually uninhibited imagery has influenced the work of artists from all over the world since 1965, said Eder, the year that he created his trademark heroine Valentina, a sultry brunette who is at the center of many of his stories. The exhibit is titled after the character: “Valentina & amici” — Italian for “Valentina and friends.”
The artist passed away in 2003, and Eder worked with his family to choose and display the art. The selection is a mix of wonderful and tasteful — and usually R-rated — pages from various Valentina titles, along with some of Crepax’s comics about Frankenstein, Dracula, and Bonnie and Clyde.
Seattle-based publisher Fantagraphics plans to release ten volumes of books by Crepax later this month, and the Dumbo gallery will have a few advance copies for sale.
Eder says that he is glad to have this chance to show off the Italian artist’s work.
“Crepax’s artwork has always been very desirable and to showcase it here is a rare opportunity for which I’m grateful,” he said.
“Guido Crepax: Valentina E Amici” at Scott Eder Gallery, 18 Bridge St. at John Street, Suite 2i in Dumbo, (718) 797–1100. Opening reception on March 12, 6–9 pm. On display until April 22. Free.
