Bearing The Unbearable

In June 2012, Gallery 1988 and Titan Books released my first book "The Art of Luke Chueh - Bearing the Unbearable". The 198 page book documents the first seven years of my career (2003 - 2009).

The book also features exclusive interviews with L Crowsky (Cannibal Flower), Jensen Karp & Katie Cromwell (Gallery 1988), Gary Pressmen (Copro Gallery), Patrick Lam (Munky King), Joel & Josh Madden (Good Charolette), Petr Wentz (Fall Out Boy), and Jan Corey & Bruce Helford (Corey Helford Gallery). I choose these people to contribute because they had some of the biggest and most direct influences on my career.

A limited edition version of the book was also released. Limited to 500 copies this version comes in an anonymous cardboard box (which I've been customizing on the spot), an exclusive print of my first version of "Cut & Stitch" (the very last painting I created in 2009), and a unique signing sheet has been glued into the beginning of the book. 

Finally, I have plans of releasing an artist direct version of the limited with exclusive customized box, and other exclusive materials. For more information on this, please join my mailing list for information as it comes. You can find a form for my mailing list on my website.

Avengers Assembled

To commemorate the release of the first Marvel's Avengers movie, I was invited by Gallery 1988 to create a piece inspired by the comic book heroes. The movie features Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye, Hulk, Iron Man, Nick Fury, and Thor. 

THE AVENGER (ASSEMBLED)

Acrylic and Ink on Paper

9" x 12"

2012

For this painting, I simply assembled the trademark elements of each character. Black Widow's wristbands and pistols, Captain America's Shield, Hawkeye's bow & arrows, Hulk's green body, Iron Man's helmet and energy source, Nick Fury's eye patch, and Thor's hammer.
When discussing this painting, I jokingly say 'The act of assembling all these pieces into one character illustrates the idea of "teamwork" as seven characters become one "Avenger" :-P.' 
Upon further reflection, I hate to say it, but I actually agree with this assessment, despite how goofy it sounds.

Alice

Last month I was invited to create a painting for a group show of art inspired by "American McGee's 'Alice'", hosted by Gallery 1988. The following painting, 'Alice' is an ode to the Alice in Wonderland mythology. Through the painting I tried to illustrate the idea that behind the horror/gothic atmosphere of McGee's Alice, is still the Alice we know and grew up with. I referenced the Disney version of Alice for the painting.

Alice
14" x 11"
Acrylic + Ink
2011

Inlé

INLÉ
11" x 14"
Acrylic + Ink
2011

This evening, "Inlé", a group show curated by Greg Simkins, hosted by Gallery 1988, and featuring paintings inspired by the story "Watership Down", specifically, Inlé, the black rabbit that functions as a metaphor for death.
For my contribution, I chose to focus around "Hazel", Watership's protagonist. In the story, Hazel gets shot in the leg, a wound that gravely effects our hero. For my painting I chose to feature the wounded Hazel standing in crutches as Inlé, the black rabbit inspects the damage.