The obsession with Death has always been a fundamental pivot for much of art throughout history and across geographical boundaries. As Western contemporary culture moved into a period of youth sub-cultures in the mid-1950s the skull took on various signifiers for myriad groups and has maintained that tradition. From the early bikers, often soldiers returning home from World War Two, with a drive for excitement and camaraderie - with Heavy Metal, Punk and other musical genres along the way - through to todays skateboarders, making use of the human skull as signifier for risk taking youthfulness and rebellion.

This exhibition focuses on the ubiquitous skull and relates it to these sub-cultures, with a particular focus on the motorcycle world lifestyle, as they have one of the highest mortality rates amongst these sub-cultures. A death wish, a rage against the dying of the light, or the instinctive aligning of danger and excitement in a world that many see as too bland and corporate?

Artists include:  William Arvin ,Wayne Martin Belger, Matthew Brannon, Liz Craft, Jesus Max Ferrandez, Amy Granat,  Drew Heitzler, Roger Herman, Matthew Day Jackson, Jacob Kassay, Wes Lang, Robert Lazzarini, Olivier Mosset, Mark Mulroney, Frankie Orozco, Don Porchella, Ronald Price, Jason Ramos, Blake Rayne, Jono Rotman, Allison Schulnik Marcus Sendlinger, Ushio Shinohara, Meghan Smythe, Nick Veasey, Ben Venom, Cindy Wright, and others.

Torrance Art Museum
3320 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503
t: 310.618.6388

Opening Reception: January 18 / 6-9pm
January 18 - March 14, 2020

For more info: http://www.torranceartmuseum.com/calendar/2020/1/18/death-cult-opening-reception