ARTWORK SHOWCASE Number 1
8-page full-size
art-zine on white paper
Published by Unknown Press (Ben Fulves)
Copyright © 1980 by UNKNOWN PRESS
Price: 75 cents
This premier issue of ARTWORK SHOWCASE is devoted to the creative genius of MICHAEL RODEN. It includes an informative biographical sketch (Michael Roden, pages 1-2 and 7-8), a section of Poetry and Prose (page 6), and a wonderful selection of MICHAEL RODEN drawings. Illustrations are:
page 1 untitled drawing
Small but nicely executed drawing of a giant skull set against a weird sky.
page 1 untitled drawing
Small drawing of a musical pumpkin set within a ring of mushrooms. Very cool.
page 2 untitled drawing
This is the small drawing of morels (mushrooms) that was also published in the AUGUST DERLETH NEWSLETTER Vol. 2 No. 2 (page 11).
page 2 untitled drawing (Ph’nglui mglw’nafh)
Mysterious drawing of seven hooded figures chanting (reprinted from NEMESIS/Two, page 15).
page 2 untitled drawing
Very unusual (for MR) drawing of a hanged man flanked by “The Mrs.” And “The Mr.”
page 2 untitled drawing
Cool bizarre alien drawing from 1979. Clearly show the influence of horror master H. P. LOVECRAFT.
page 3 Professor Protrusion – 1973
Weird surrealistic drawing of an oddly attired man astride a bizarre bicycle-like contraption. Part of the Chronology portfolio of drawings, which continues through page 5.
page 3 OMs and 8s – 1974
Intricately detailed psychedelic horror drawing. There is a lot going on in this amazing illustration!
page 3 untitled drawing
Very small drawing of what might be tentacles.
page 4 untitled drawing
Small but interesting drawing of what might best be described as a melting pelvis-creature. Really.
page 4 The Geometric Amoeba – 1975
Very intricately rendered drawing featuring several skulls set into a swirling psychedelic background. This is a pretty amazing drawing.
page 4 Thinkfinger – 1977
Psychedelic drawing with hand-written text: “Man is not an amoeba, floating aimlessly in a sea of Universe. He is matter charged with Life. A being that is Aware.” Very cool indeed.
page 5 Dante’s Inferno – 1979
Amazing full-page drawing previously published in NEMESIS Number 4 PRESENTS DANTE’S INFERNO (page 8).
page 6 Poetry and Prose
Includes the poem In the Astral Eyes of Chaos (reprinted from the STELLAR FANTASY SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol. 1 No. 1, page 4), an excerpt from The Dream Diary, of old Prof. I. Moot, 4th Entry (reprinted from THRU BLACK HOLES Number 5, page 12), an untitled poem (Down in a dungeon damp & deep) (reprinted from NEMESIS/Two, page 14), and a review of the space-music album Jardin Au Four by HANS JOACHIM ROEDELIUS (reprinted from THE STELLAR FANTASY SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol. 1 No. 1, page 6).
page 7 untitled collage-drawing
A small collaged werewolf within a drawn frame.
page 7 Space Dolphin
Nice small drawing of a dolphin-like creature in the depths of space.
page 7 untitled drawing
Very simple drawing of several mushrooms in an alien landscape.
page 7 untitled drawing
Drawing of a skeletal figure looking very pensive in a hoodie.
page 7 untitled drawing
Small drawing of an alien creature and a castle by FRODO.
page 8 untitled drawing (Cosmic Farmer)
Wonderfully bizarre drawing with a hand-lettered poem: “Cosmic Farmer called Strawberry Man, supplies all the Strawberries in Reptile Land.”
page 8 untitled drawing
Very cool one-eyed stalk-like aliens. This is a wonderfully cool drawing!
page 8 untitled drawing
Collaboration with E. H. DORN reprinted from NEMESIS/Two (page 14).
page 8 untitled drawing
Cool demon head with horns and bells.
This issue of ARTWORK SHOWCASE is an essential document for any serious MICHAEL RODEN scholar. The portfolio (Chronology) clearly shows the influence of surrealism in the 1970s evolving into a more psychedelic style by the end of that decade. It is unfortunate that more early MR art has not seen print, as it is quite impressive.
Resource
Note:
Thanks to MICHAEL RODEN for providing a copy of this rare publication.
History:
Page posted to the online MICHAEL RODEN CATALOG 21 September
2003.
Copyright © 2003 by Dale Lee Coovert