Mandragora officinarum & CLAVIS

The second issue of the Clavis Journal features the painting, Mandragora officarum, as a companion illustration for an article about the infamous Mandrake plant. Also included in this issue is the painting, The Path, alongside artworks by other notable peers and colleagues including Madeline von Foerster, Hagen von Tulien, and Timo Ketola.

The second issue of the journal will be officially released Saturday, the 16th of November, at the Anna Miliksetian | MJBrigss Gallery in Los Angeles. Two Vierling paintings will be on display at the event. Interested collectors please contact the Clavis Journal for more information.

From the Clavis Website:

Clavis Journal is a book-quality occult periodical published every nine months by Clavis Editions, a collaborative endeavor between Three Hands Press and Ouroboros Press. At over 200 pages, its second volume contains 17 essays by some of the most cogent esoteric authors of our time, including Henrik Bogdan, Gordan Djurdjevic, Andrew D. Chumbley, and Gemma Gary. Volume 2 builds upon the tradition established in our maiden volume: ”A Journal of Occult Arts, Letters, and Experience“.

To mark its release, an official launch party will be held on Saturday the 16th of November in Los Angeles, California from 7:00-10:00 PM at Anna Meliksetian | MJBriggs Gallery. Our guest speaker will be Gordan Djurdjevic, who will give a brief talk on the Thelemic goddess Babalon, the subject of his essay in CLAVIS 2.

The event will also feature the exhibited artworks Tom Allen, Billy Davis, Caroline Hamilton-Giles, Carlos Melgoza and Benjamin Vierling whose work appears along with other artists in Volume 2. Several of the artists will be in attendance, and refreshments will be served.

Ouroboros Press and Three Hands Press titles will be on hand for sale, as will be selections of original art from our artists. Announcements on future works from the publishers will also be made.

To order a copy of the journal, please visit the Clavis website. 

Autumnal Aural Collaborations.

The advent of Autumn has seen the unveiling of numerous pairings between image and sound. Paramount amongst them are two illustration projects with renown poster artist and longtime colleague, David D'Andrea. The cooperative process has facilitated the creation of several uniquely graphic images, the first being a panoramic display for the German band, Fyrnask. The artwork appears in the layout of Eldir Nótt release, available through ToT Records in Sweden.

Another Vierling & D'Andrea collaboration has manifested in the form of a 3 color silk-screened tour poster for several international Heavy Metal bands. The poster was printed at Broken Press in Seattle. Soon to be available for online purchase.

Pandora on exhibit in Berlin

Pandora, an egg tempera & oil painting, will be on exhibit at the Strychnin Gallery in Berlin as part of the 'All My Stars' 10 year anniversary show. Also being displayed is the 'Boxed Vanitas', alongside works by other notable artists, including: David Hochbaum, Marina Bychkova, David Stoupakis, Wee Flowers, Seymour, Kris Kuksi, Mark Ryden, Saturno Butto, Mimi S, Chet Zar, and many others.

As the Gallery comments, "For this extraordinary milestone birthday exhibition, “All My Stars”, opening the 16th of August at Strychnin Berlin we will show not only show brand-new works, but will also feature Yasha Young’s personal collection and the gallery’s inventory. Thus, making it a walk through our past, and an insight into our future."

Both Vierling paintings are for sale. Interested collectors may contact the Strychnin Gallery directly.

Pandora. Egg Tempera & Oil on panel. 18" x 24"

The subject of Pandora takes it's cue from Greek mythology, alluding to 'She who brings up gifts from below'. The theme has been portrayed in paint countless times throughout history, from antiquity to the present, being expressed with particular empathy by various 19th century pre-Raphaelites. Vierling's interpretation depicts the moment after curiosity has piqued, the amorphous shades already saturating the atmosphere. 

Boxed Vanitas. Egg Tempera & Oil on panel. 6.5" x 6.5"

The composition of the 'Boxed Vanitas' exalts the trompe l'oeil tradition and was painted from life in the artist's studio. The walnut frame punctuates the illusion, encouraging the viewer to peer into the compartmentalized space, and to ruminate on the delicacy of the mundane.

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