Nihilism and Nanner Pudding: A Popular Favorite

Dick Van der Wurst on July 5, 2014

2014 • 54.75″ x 31″
acrylic, spray paint on used fence pickets

The whole idea behind the concept of making paintings that highlight our use of food and the celebrations they’re tied to as a distraction to our existential angst came from a comment I made about art shows being essentially a “self doubt and cheese cubes” scene. So as I continue this series it is only fitting that I name my solo shows the same way.

My point of view often borders on the nihilistic, and this attitude often informs much of what motivates me to create imagery. That a show of mine would feature a heavy dose of this outlook is a safe bet and since this major work featured banana pudding, I knew I should serve some at the reception of the June, 2014 Moe Profane solo exhibition at Redbud in Houston.

Here we see the sad emo kid perked up a bit at the promise of some homemade nanner puddin. On his shirt is a fitting banana related nihilistic assertion credited to Mark Ruffalo describing acting.

This painting was sold and moved to New Orleans by its owner where it currently hangs proudly in her home.

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schadenfreude and shiner bock painting by moe profane

Schadenfreude and Shiner Bock: A Big, Weird, Daring Idea

Dick Van der Wurst on July 4, 2014

2014 • 31.25″ x 55.5″
acrylic, spray paint on used fence pickets

Schadenfreude is a German expression meaning “to take pleasure in the misfortune of others.” You see three characters:

  • The hapless victim who is too caught up in feeling sorry for himself to fix the situation
  • The jerk who is satisfied and amused by the greater status he was able, with no effort of his own, to achieved relative to that of his friend
  • The opportunistic ram who takes advantage while the others are distracted

The audience can related to the feelings of both individuals in the piece. You can learn a lot about yourself by recognizing how you empathize with the one and relate to the satisfaction of the other. We’re all guilty of playing the victim roll and also enjoying the mishaps of others. This is what my work is meant to do, to make us aware of our motivations and influencers so we can learn to see them for what they are and take back control.

This piece was a bit of a hit. Those who got it, liked it a lot but it was probably too weird and oddly painted to connect with anyone on a level to inspire a purchase. Never mind how big it was. I destroyed it and it has been incorporated in other smaller pieces, scattered and covered up and spread out around South Texas. I will revisit this though someday and do it up right. With my new style of cutout layering of the fence pickets.

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Nintendo Thumb Painting by Moe Profane

Nintendo Thumb: Searing Pain, Sensational Fun

Dick Van der Wurst on July 3, 2014

2014 • 17.5″ x 36.5″
acrylic, spray paint on used fence pickets

There was once going to be a “gamer” themed group show at a relatively well known gallery in San Antonio. I was creating this when I found out it was going to be moved to a grungy independent coffee shop/art studio/gallery in an “emerging neighborhood”. I bowed out, not wanting to do group shows in coffee shops at this point in my career.

Still, I was stuck with this piece, a bit of a departure from my usual work. I like it though. Any GenXer like me can relate to the feeling of bruised thumbnails from pounding that old school Nintendo controller too hard, for too long.

This is one of my favorite pieces because it evokes to those who know, a very distinct feeling and memory of our GenX childhood. I sold it for a song to a guy in Houston, who has since married and probably forced by his wife to pitch it.

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