David Shrobe merges drawing, painting, collage, and found objects with his own practice of carving wood, to construct original worlds and narratives. The artist mines familial, historical and online sources to build a unique archive that becomes a springboard for multi-layered portraits and assemblage paintings. Born and based in New York, NY, he has presented solo exhibitions at Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago, IL; Steve Turner Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; Thierry Goldberg Gallery, New York, NY; and Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Additionally, his work can be found in the public collections of the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY; the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY; and the Block Museum, Evanston, IL; among others.
Set within an oval frame that suggests a portal into a liminal space, Ascension stems from a body of work that builds on Shrobe’s interest in folklore and creation mythologies. The primary characters represent a pair of lovers, embracing one another against a dark background illuminated by twinkling, distant lights. Their faces merge together at the center, from which they peer outward through a single eye—intended to signify a unified vision. A reflection on the relationship between the artist and the women in his family, the female figure within the composition stretches an arm around her male counterpart, implying her role as the protector in the depicted moment. For this limited edition series, Shrobe will hand-embellish each print by incorporating unique elements that include patterned flocking materials, painted canvas, found textiles, and acrylic paint.
David Shrobe
Ascension, 2024
26 x 21.25 inches
Archival pigment print
Limited edition of 5
Hand-embellished, signed and numbered by the artist
Limited edition of 10 with 5AP 1PP
Signed and numbered by the artist
ART FOR CHANGE will donate five percent of the unframed purchase price of sales through December 1st, with a $10,000 minimum commitment, to support When We All Vote’s mission to increase voter participation in this crucial election year.
Of this series, Shrobe notes: "Voting is not simply just an individual act; it is an expression of our collective power. It’s one of the crucial ways in which we can challenge the many systems of oppression in our country and demand justice for our communities. We should all participate in protecting our democracy. We’re in a fight for the future identity of our country and we should all vote to push the win in the direction of inclusivity.“
*International customers are responsible for applicable duties and taxes including VAT fees.
*Unframed prints ship within 1-3 weeks.
*Framed prints ship within 3-6 weeks.
