"Ukiyo-e Heroes" at Gallery Nucleus

Last night, I stopped by Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra (definitely the SGV’s no.1 place for all things Pop Art) where this month’s opening featured Jed Henry, an artist who’s current project’s success is made of the things internet dreams are made of.  The story behind “Ukiyo-e Heroes” started with some designs the artist made to share with his friends on facebook and tumblr, where it later went viral and eventually led to him collaborating with a master Japanese woodblock artist and a kickstarter campaign that managed to earn much more over it’s goal of $10,400 (an astounding $313,341, with 2,422 backers).    

So, what is “Ukiyo-e Heroes”?  Chances are, if you’re a gamer, you’ve probably heard of it, but if not, basically it’s a parody of famous video game characters illustrated in the style of historical Japanese woodblock art.  Henry transforms familiar heroes of the popular Nintendo and Capcom universes into mythical Japanese warriors battling yokai.    Games like “Mario Kart” turn into a dynamic scene of  rickshaw racing where Mario trades in his signature overalls for a more traditional Japanese robe, Link and Samus Aran are clothed in Samurai-like armour, and cute and cuddly Kirby becomes a ferocious soul eater!

“Soul Eater” Giclee print.

 And that’s where the main appeal and charm of this collection of work comes through: the details.  So, Henry decided to get even more detailed and more historical by enlisting the help of master woodblock artist David Bull (apparently, there are only a few real masters left, as Japanese woodblock printing is a dying art form).  *more pictures and info after the jump..

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