"For the Record"
August 26th - October 21st
Beverly Phono Mart
1808 W 103rd St. Chicago
August 26th - October 21st
Beverly Phono Mart
1808 W 103rd St. Chicago
For this exhibition, 10 artists created a 24 x 24 inch piece inspired by an album that was impactful to their lives. The exhibition can be viewed during Beverly Phono Mart's normal business hours.
Louis Barak
“Incarcerated Scarfaces”
acrylic, spray paint and oil on clay panel
24 x 24
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I’ve heard this song thousands of times and it still gives me goosebumps till this day! I focused primarily on using purples/violets to set the mood, and as a way of paying homage to the album release that correlated with this song, “The Purple Tape”. The color purple can convey such a powerful message. It represents royalty and good weed. It has an exotic allure while representing violence in an incredibly honest way. Every physical wound will eventually turn purple. From black eyes to gunshots. This song is the very essence of that duality, the good and the evil. This is yin and yang at its finest. And that’s what’s so relatable about this song. The said protagonist is a smooth criminal, who stands by a strong moral code. He is honorable, but if you double cross him, he will have no problem resorting to violence…. I’ve always been attracted to that notion of a tragic beauty and this song encapsulates that feeling like no other!
Inspired by Raekwon's album "Incarcerated Scarfaces". The original cover art for the album was created by photographer Daniel Hastings.
Chantala Kommanivanh
“Infamous”
acrylic, ink, oil and spray paint on panel
24 x 24
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I bought Mobb Deep’s “The Infamous” cassette on Tuesday April 25, 1995 at Coconuts on Diversey and Clark. My brother Von drove us there in my dad’s gray Oldsmobile after school. We played the cassette all the way through a few times taking the long way home. I remember the intro being dark in tone setting up the vibe of the entire project. There’s something about the combination of Havoc and Prodigy’s voice over grimy boom bap, layered with intricate rhymes lasering back and forth. Their sound had a texture that capsulated the mid-90’s and my whole teenage life. I played this on cassette, cd and on vinyl throughout the years and it’s one of my favorite albums of my lifetime.
Original cover art for the album “The Infamous” was created by photographer Delphine A. Fawundu.
Cujo Dah
“True Bitches Brew”
acrylic on canvas
24 x 24
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Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew is one of my favorite album covers of all time. I wasn’t big on jazz then but the art made me want to listen and it helped me see what was possible with paint. I remember times when I was younger trying to paint things exactly the way I see them. It was some of the most challenging and fun times creating art as a kid.
Original cover art for the album “Bitches Brew” was created by artist Malti Klarwein.
Zor Zor Zor
“Happier Than Ever”
latex paint on canvas
24 x 24
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I decided to recreate Billie Eilish’s second studio album “Happier Than Ever”, released July 2021. I first got into her music in 2019. I connected to the words in her songs instantly, and admired the way she let you into her heart. She sings about heartbreak, both softly and with such depth and power for a young girl. She sings the ballads of a modern day old soul, searching for the meaning of life and love, collecting bruises along the way. Nonetheless, she is still in it to have fun. To me, she is already timeless.
Original cover art for the album “Happier Than Ever” was created by photographer Kelia Anne MacCluskey.
DAREMELIFE
“Siamese Barrio: A Beautiful Sadness”
acrylic on canvas
24 x 24
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I was inspired by the album cover for “Siamese Dream” by the Smashing Pumpkins as well as the album’s rich sounds, melancholy lyrics and overall theme of feeling isolated while trying to find your way through the world. My goal for this piece was to use surrealism as a catalyst to give the audience the freedom to interpret their own meaning and to create a flow between subjects. The ominous landscape, barbed wire and gloomy nature of the clouds give the two subjects in the middle a sense of being surrounded. Their playful smiles along with vibrant colors and unique style give them individuality and strength in finding peace even while surrounded by dark chaos. I wanted to create a piece that offers up a sense of hope and demonstrates that even in sadness there can be a beauty.
Original cover art for “Siamese Dream” was created by photographer Melodie McDaniel.
Fantasía Ariel
“Choose Your Fire”
acrylic on canvas
24 x 24
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This piece is inspired by one of my favorite albums by Hiatus Kaiyote, “Choose Your Weapon”. While listening to the album, I always envisioned a strong female protagonist traveling through this video game of life. The album is influenced by many genres from jazz to West African funk so each song truly feels like a different level to a game. I see her in colorful world, boldly battling her demons, conquering her fears, her insecurities, with this intense energy, and strength. In my mind it was never about the weapon you choose, but the fighter you choose to be.
Original cover art for the album “Choose Your Weapon” was created by Laneous ‘Lame-boy’ The Lunchboxer.
“Choose Your Fire”
acrylic on canvas
24 x 24
Contact us with inquiries.
This piece is inspired by one of my favorite albums by Hiatus Kaiyote, “Choose Your Weapon”. While listening to the album, I always envisioned a strong female protagonist traveling through this video game of life. The album is influenced by many genres from jazz to West African funk so each song truly feels like a different level to a game. I see her in colorful world, boldly battling her demons, conquering her fears, her insecurities, with this intense energy, and strength. In my mind it was never about the weapon you choose, but the fighter you choose to be.
Original cover art for the album “Choose Your Weapon” was created by Laneous ‘Lame-boy’ The Lunchboxer.
Anthony Bartley
“Disordered”
acrylic and oil on canvas
24 x 24
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This work was inspired by the late Mac Miller's mixtape, “Faces”. The mixtape deals with issues of death, mental illness, and addiction. These issues present themselves in my work, but also my life. I've struggled with mental illness for a very long time and I understand the sentiment of drug addiction through reliance on antidepressants and mood stabilizers to get through life. Echoing the first words of the mixtape, "I should've died already….”.
Original cover art for the mixtape “Faces” was designed by Miller McCormick (Mac Miller’s brother).
Brian Dovie Golden
“21st Century Schizoid Man”
acrylic and gold leaf on canvas
24 x 24
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Within the captivating embrace of Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," I find profound wellsprings of inspiration that flow into the very essence of this creation. Guided by the artistic vision of George Condo, a luminary who holds a cherished place in my creative pantheon, I embark upon a journey to transpose the album's visual ethos into a new realm of interpretation.
In homage to the album's cover art, a Condo masterpiece that dances at the crossroads of the surreal and the provocative, I endeavor to capture the visceral essence that lies beneath the surface of artistic expression. This piece becomes a tribute to the synergy between music and visual art, forging a connection that transcends conventional boundaries.
"My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is more than an album—it is a profound exploration of the human experience, a symphony of vulnerability and resilience. In a world where artistic alchemy strives to transmute the weight of existence into palatable creations, Kanye's opus serves as a guiding light. The juxtaposition of entrancing melodies with introspective lyricism invites listeners to momentarily escape the gravity of life's burdens and immerse themselves in the rhythm of the sublime.
With this work, I aspire to achieve that elusive fusion of emotion and aesthetics, mirroring Kanye's ability to weave his inner demons into an exquisite tapestry of songs that resonate on both cerebral and emotional levels. It is my hope that this piece not only pays homage to the album and its creators but also echoes the aspiration shared by artists across epochs—to craft creations that not only captivate but also uplift, offering respite from the shadows that intertwine with the human journey.
Original cover art for the album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was created by artist George Condo.
“21st Century Schizoid Man”
acrylic and gold leaf on canvas
24 x 24
Contact us with inquiries.
Within the captivating embrace of Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," I find profound wellsprings of inspiration that flow into the very essence of this creation. Guided by the artistic vision of George Condo, a luminary who holds a cherished place in my creative pantheon, I embark upon a journey to transpose the album's visual ethos into a new realm of interpretation.
In homage to the album's cover art, a Condo masterpiece that dances at the crossroads of the surreal and the provocative, I endeavor to capture the visceral essence that lies beneath the surface of artistic expression. This piece becomes a tribute to the synergy between music and visual art, forging a connection that transcends conventional boundaries.
"My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is more than an album—it is a profound exploration of the human experience, a symphony of vulnerability and resilience. In a world where artistic alchemy strives to transmute the weight of existence into palatable creations, Kanye's opus serves as a guiding light. The juxtaposition of entrancing melodies with introspective lyricism invites listeners to momentarily escape the gravity of life's burdens and immerse themselves in the rhythm of the sublime.
With this work, I aspire to achieve that elusive fusion of emotion and aesthetics, mirroring Kanye's ability to weave his inner demons into an exquisite tapestry of songs that resonate on both cerebral and emotional levels. It is my hope that this piece not only pays homage to the album and its creators but also echoes the aspiration shared by artists across epochs—to craft creations that not only captivate but also uplift, offering respite from the shadows that intertwine with the human journey.
Original cover art for the album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was created by artist George Condo.
Courtney Collins
“Dark Knight Feeling…”
acrylic, oil and gold leaf on canvas
24 x 24
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MBDTF is my all time favorite album and Kayne is my favorite artist. I am very inspired by this body of work. I chose this image because a few bars in the song “So Appalled” stick out to me. They remind me so much of what goes on in this world today, still. The same people that help boost you from the bottom to the top are often the same ones that want to see your downfall. It’s like people want to see you win but they don’t want you to win too much.
“Dark Knight feeling, die or be a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain. I went from the favorite to most hated” - Jay Z
Original cover art for the album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was created by artist George Condo.
Courtney Collins
“Dark Knight Feeling…”
acrylic, oil and gold leaf on canvas
24 x 24
Contact us with inquiries.
MBDTF is my all time favorite album and Kayne is my favorite artist. I am very inspired by this body of work. I chose this image because a few bars in the song “So Appalled” stick out to me. They remind me so much of what goes on in this world today, still. The same people that help boost you from the bottom to the top are often the same ones that want to see your downfall. It’s like people want to see you win but they don’t want you to win too much.
“Dark Knight feeling, die or be a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain. I went from the favorite to most hated” - Jay Z
Original cover art for the album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was created by artist George Condo.
James Nelson
“MacBeth”
acrylic on canvas
24 x 24
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Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' is an intricate, and masterful work of art. Through its complex layers of sound and provocative lyrics, the album weaves a captivating and often unsettling narrative about the dark side of fame, desire, and ego. It's a sonic journey that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, beauty and darkness, and offers a fascinating window into the mind of one of the most provocative and innovative artists of our time."
I titled this piece “MacBeth” inspired by George Condo. Both 'Macbeth' and 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' explore the corrosive power of ambition and the allure of darkness. In 'Macbeth,' Shakespeare portrays the titular character's descent into madness and violence as he chases power and status, while in West's album, the protagonist is lured into a nightmarish world of fame, lust, and ego.
“Do you have the power to let power go?” Death to the ego…
Original cover art for the album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was created by artist George Condo.
James Nelson
“MacBeth”
acrylic on canvas
24 x 24
contact us with inquiries
Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' is an intricate, and masterful work of art. Through its complex layers of sound and provocative lyrics, the album weaves a captivating and often unsettling narrative about the dark side of fame, desire, and ego. It's a sonic journey that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, beauty and darkness, and offers a fascinating window into the mind of one of the most provocative and innovative artists of our time."
I titled this piece “MacBeth” inspired by George Condo. Both 'Macbeth' and 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' explore the corrosive power of ambition and the allure of darkness. In 'Macbeth,' Shakespeare portrays the titular character's descent into madness and violence as he chases power and status, while in West's album, the protagonist is lured into a nightmarish world of fame, lust, and ego.
“Do you have the power to let power go?” Death to the ego…
Original cover art for the album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was created by artist George Condo.