FLESH · BLOOD · SUBSTANCE by Golgo

Last night I was able to get over to Lazarides to the private viewing of FLESH · BLOOD · SUBSTANCE, the first London exhibition by Mexican artist Golgo.

"From a young age I dreamt of becoming a surgeon, of one day being able to manoeuvre a human body, to cut it, feel it, expose it and sow it back together. Life took its turns but this uneasy curiosity still today remains." - Golgo

Before making my way to the gallery I did some light research and found that he's influenced by Mexican popular folkore, punk music, pop culture, graffiti and animated cartoons. Real name Andreas Hijar, he hails from Mexico City and maintains a strong connection to his roots alongside an admiration for Mexican wrestling to the extent that since the 90s he's worn a luchador mask to veil his identity. Commercially he's done collaborative work with brands like SSUR and Black Scale, as well as band merch for The Misfits. 

As I approached the gallery for a second I thought it was closed because I couldn't see anything through the window. As I got closer I realised that the people inside were shrouded in darkness, with only very minimal light being directed onto the work that hung on the walls. FLESH · BLOOD · SUBSTANCE introduces us to Golgo's personal interpretation of life and death and true to form he donned the luchador mask for the private view, adding to the palpable uneasiness of an already macabre atmosphere.

FLESH · BLOOD · SUBSTANCE is described as a series of canvases focused on the combination of anatomy and symbolism. I found the oil on canvas to have an almost digital quality from afar, and each piece of work to manifest a level of morbidness as well as beauty. His fascination with surgery is evident not only through the canvasses but also via a video of an unspecified operation being projected onto the wall. My favourite piece was his representation of The Sacred Heart. 

The exhibition runs until the 12th of November and I suggest not only going, but doing so after dark to better realise the artist's intent.

-Bossman75