Alessandro Sicioldr, “Sogno Del Demiurgo (Creatore),” oil on wood, 60 x 70 cm.

Last Rites Gallery in New York has established a reputation for showcasing incredible representational art, but with a surreal and fantastical twist. That trend continues with “13th Hour,” a magnetic display of surrealism that fits perfectly with the Halloween season.

“Conjured by mastermind Paul Booth, the annual ‘13th Hour’ exhibition accentuates the dual nature of humanity and invites the viewers to take part in one of the most engaging and comprehensive exhibitions of contemporary surrealism,” Last Rites Gallery says. Sound like fun? I would certainly say so.

Kikyz1313, “Effigy of Coiled Tragedies,” graphite, watercolor, and pastel on paper, 30 x 39 cm.
Emil Melmoth, “Rotten Cupid,” epoxy clay and metal, 62 x 52 x 17 cm.
Grady Gordon, “Judges,” monotype on reeves paper, 11 x 15 inches

The show’s namesake describes the final minute before 1am, “in which entities that are bound to other dimensions and otherworldly realms intrude on our own reality,” the gallery continues. “Those who exist within both places during the 13th hour traverse and wreak havoc on our world, responsible for conducting the mischief onto ill-fated humans.”

Bam Maslar, “Hope Does Not Disappoint,” oil on panel, 22 x 29 inches
Miles Johnston, “Withdrawl,” graphite on paper, 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches
Rachel Bridge, “Nightmares Become Me,” oil on panel, 24 x 30 inches

Opening on October 28 and continuing through November 11, “13th Hour” has brought together a collection of globally renowned artists who blur the line between beautiful and grotesque, exploring themes of human existence, as well as humanity’s psychological dwelling in the “unknown” — the confusion and uncertainty of our existence that poses many questions, but reveals fewer answers.

Brian Mashburn, “Juniper,” oil on canvas, 9 x 12 inches
Paul Cristina, “Ritual Head #2,” oil on canvas, 14 x 18 inches
Caitlin McCormack, “Suffocator,” crocheted cotton string, blue, steel pins, velvet, 22 1/4 x 18 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches

“Observers are led on a visual journey through each artist’s individual interpretations of the 13th hour,” the gallery writes, “wandering through mysterious realms and conjuring stories formed by the many mediums of fine art. Illuminating from these works of art are vivid nightmares, old ones stained in our memories and new ones clawing at the surface, further revealing the darker zones of our minds that coexist with our worldly perceptions.”

Jesse Levitt, “WVRM,” oil on panel, 36 x 24 inches
Matt Mrowka, “Yolk,” oil on Masonite, 20 x 34 inches
Zofia Bogusz, “Valkyrie,” oil on wood, 18 x 18 inches

Represented artists include Logan Aguilar, Samuel Araya, Audra Auclair, Rachel Bridge, Saturno Buttò, Zofia Bogusz, Caniglia, Adrian Cherry, Nannette Cherry, Sam Wolfe Connelly, Paul Cristina, Damien Echols, Darwin Enriquez, Erik Ferguson, Grady Gordon, Gabriela Handal, Fred Harper, Stuart Holland, Ben Howe, Michael Hussar, Jeremy Hush, Stephanie Inagaki, Miles Johnston, Kikyz1313, Eric Lacombe, Darby Lahger, Jesse Levitt, Jed Leiknes, Qixuan Lim, Eli Livingston, Brian Mashburn, Bam Maslar, Caitlin McCormack, Jim McKenzie, Emil Melmoth, Harry Michalakeas, Yomico Moreno, Matt Mrowka, Billy Norby, Juan Miguel Palacios, Shane Pierce, David Richardson, Lee Harvey Roswell, Alessandro Sicioldr, Brian Smith, David Stoupakis, Henrik Uldalen, Hannah Vandermolen, N8 VanDyke, Way$hak, & Pamela Wilson.

To learn more, visit Last Rites Gallery.

This article was featured in Fine Art Today, a weekly e-newsletter from Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. To start receiving Fine Art Today for free, click here.


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Andrew Webster is the former Editor of Fine Art Today and worked as an editorial and creative marketing assistant for Streamline Publishing. Andrew graduated from The University of North Carolina at Asheville with a B.A. in Art History and Ceramics. He then moved on to the University of Oregon, where he completed an M.A. in Art History. Studying under scholar Kathleen Nicholson, he completed a thesis project that investigated the peculiar practice of embedded self-portraiture within Christian imagery during the 15th and early 16th centuries in Italy.

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