ARTHUR ROGER 434 is pleased to present “The Story of Bruce,” an exhibition of recent paintings, photographs and sculpture by Blake Boyd. The exhibition will be on view December 6th – 27th, 2008 at Arthur Roger 434, located at 434 Julia Street. The artist will be present at the opening reception hosted by the gallery on Saturday, December 6th from 6 to 8 pm.

Blake Boyd is a conceptual artist who works in various mediums including paintings in clay, sculpture, photobooth photography, video and site-specific installation. Collectively all of the mediums are components of the twenty-year conceptual artwork that Boyd views as two “visual” operas. The first opera, Fidelio, began in 2001, with an exhibition entitled "My Pinocchio Syndrome for Abigail." The second opera, Romantika, commenced in December 2003 at the Arthur Roger Gallery with the installation of “Sneewittchen.”

“The Story of Bruce,” Boyd’s third opera and newest addition to his twenty-year conceptual artwork, is based upon his book "The Space Bunny" which he wrote in 1978 while in the second grade. Boyd rewrote the book in 1988 when he was in high school, at which time he had dreams of being an animator.

The new version of "The Story of Bruce" is inspired by the artist''s experience of eight years of the Bush administration. The title, "The Story of Bruce" is intended as a play upon Story of O, first published in 1954 and then made into a film in 1975. Boyd notes that 1975 was "the year of the rabbit."

“The Story of Bruce” is intended to represent the third piece of “chamber music” and consists of a wall of water-colors, a wall of photographs, a free standing sculpture and a timeline documenting the artist’s history of incorporating a rabbit throughout his work. A cartoon by the artist Bunny Matthews is also present in this work.

Born in Slidell, LA in 1970, Blake Boyd studied at the Memphis College of Art. His work is influenced by several icons of pop culture including Disney, Star Wars, Warhol, The Beatles and Playboy. Boyd’s work is exhibited throughout the country and has been included in many distinguished public and private collections. Boyd currently lives and works in Slidell.

For additional information contact the gallery at 504.522.1999 or visit our Web site www.arthurrogergallery.com.