House Poster 2016

Robert Sammelin made this "House Poster," probably digitally, using a graphic style that’s sharp and punchy. There's a real sense of play here, maybe even a bit of humor amidst all the horror. The way the colors are laid down, so flat and graphic, gives it a bold feel. It's like a comic book exploded onto the canvas. Look at the dark lines around each shape; they’re so decisive, almost aggressive. And then those jagged white bursts, cutting through everything! It’s like seeing the world through shattered glass. It’s the kind of image that doesn’t let you settle into one idea, embracing the weirdness and wildness. Sammelin reminds me a little of Basil Wolverton, in the way he bends and exaggerates his characters. He’s definitely part of an ongoing conversation about art, and where the grotesque meets the playful.