David Choe’s Nothing to Declare show in Beverly Hills came down on Sunday, May 22, 2010. There was a closing reception where the artist himself came out to sign the zine he published for the show and some other souvenirs.
photo by Sonja Teri
The line was long. David was taking his sweet time talking to all his fans and people who came out.
photo by Sonja Teri
Ah finally. The weapon trading, dinosaur searching man himself. Some people were asking him to sign too many things. Five zines, some drawings, shirts AND pose for a picture? They all seemed to want to plug themselves and what they do too. Please, there are other people in line, no time to make small talk so he could use you as (enter whatever you want to be for him). But the artist didn’t seem to mind. He just graciously smiled and signed.
I just had a hammerhead deck that I bought from Giant Robot (by the way, we’re giving away GR subscriptions this week). The shape was custom made for this art. It says “Koreans Gone Bad” on the back so of course, I had to get it… because I’m the baddest Korean you know. Just kidding (seriously, I’m totally kidding).
Seemed like he was drawing this girl and the whale for people. I didn’t expect him to draw anything elaborate, but this is the tamest piece I’ve ever seen from him. I wish I got the whale. At least he drew in some hearts in for me. I asked him to sign my name on it too. Won’t be selling this one on eBay, man, it’s resting on my fireplace mantel for now.
What’s cool about great art and artists is that it inspires other people to churn out more great work. Check out this beautifully shot and edited video from hypebeast covering the Nothing To Declare opening reception.
I’ll leave you with this blurb from his blog that he wrote to introduce this show:
It’s been way too long los angeles, I’m sorry I had to leave in the first place, but you were really annoying the shit out of me, but I forgive you , I’m sorry I left you when you needed me most, ive seen these horrible atrocious art shows you’ve been subject to, I seen these wacked out gimmicky douchey group shows and art walks you been sexually and mentally harassed by , and I’m here to tell you,I’m coming soon, and maybe you’ll appreciate me and not take me for granted this time . lets make the dysfunction work for us, ok ? I promise to try harder if you try harder. It’s been 6 long years since my last show here when you fucked me and I left you. I was still doing shit like this last time I saw you . in that time I seen things, I’ve heard things, I’ve felt things I’ve never felt before, I been hitching and bitching all over the globe , I been to Japanese jails, African jungles, Chinese torture chambers, the whitehouse, and to all 7 levels of hell and Back .
this summer In april 2010 I will have my first solo art show in BEVERLY HILLS CALIFORNIA with Lazarides .I will take all my love all my hate all my pain all my rage, all my suffering and all my skills and experience ive collected over the years , and bring it to your doorstep, those who collect my stuff, know that the waitlist is over, it’s done, I burned the commission page, there’s no more comissions, those that wait to see if they should buy a painting or not, and then get pissed when it’s sold out, here it is now , a solid 2 and half month early warning, this will be my last show in a long time, I have no plans or contracts for any other shows after this, I will go away for a long time after this, so I’m being nice and telling you all this shit now, don’t come crying to me later because I wont be here. los angeles I’m coming home and when I come this time, I’m gonna come harder than I ever have before.
More David Choe work can be viewed here.
Hammerhead decks can be purchased here and there’s other stuff you can buy.
Win a 1-year complimentary subscription to Giant Robot here.
