All Photos By Gail

“I didn’t even know he was sick” sounds like the punchline to a joke, but I think it’s what we are all saying when we find ourselves speaking of David Bowie in the past tense. Because, how could he be gone? Bowie’s profoundly shocking death in January of this year  still does not seem real. In the spirit of continuing to celebrate David Bowie’s life and music while extending a sense of comfort and community to the bereaved, gallerist Stephen Romano has mounted a David Bowie Tribute Exhibit,  Saint Bowie, and it was well worth the trip to Bushwick to check it out.

Romano describes the show as, “An exhibition of artist made reliquaries, ex votos, Santos, sigils, altars, ephods, spirit photos and much more objects dedicated to communing with Bowie on the other side.” The majority of the works in this show were created specifically for the exhibition, with participating artists including: Dolorosa De La Cruz, Barry William Hale, Tine Kinderman, Linnea Strid, Caitlin McCormack, Lori Field, Natan Alexander, Rene Pierre Allain, Colin Christian + Sas Christian, Nyahzul Blanco, Lauren Levato Coyne, Lizz Lopez, Rory Coyne, Inge Vandormael, Travis Lawrence, Chris Haas, Erin O’Shea, Ellen Stagg, Donnie Green, Matt Nolen, David Van Gough, Kim Bo Yung, Alexis Murray, Nyugen Smith, and Craig LaRotonda.

As we have come to expect from a Stephen Romano Joint, the exhibit’s opening reception was a fun party where Bowie fans could drink free wine and hang out among friends while enjoying the beautiful and very moving art. David Bowie Bikini Girls were also on hand to add to the celebratory atmosphere in the gallery. Please enjoy a few of our photos from the evening!

Natan Alexander, Everybody Knows Me Now  (2016), Illuminated Glass and Mixed Media.

The piece above was perhaps the most talked about contribution to the show. You just could not stop looking at it.

David Van Gough, Starcophagus (2016)

Starcophagus Detail

Lori Field, Heathen

Lori Field, one of our favorite artists that we discovered through the Romano Gallery, contributed two fantastic pieces, both done in her inimitable and highly recognizable style.

Lori Field, China Girl

Lizz Lopez, Bowie Ouija Board (Above) and Planchette Detail

Linnea Strid, Sunken Dream (2016) Ink Transfer on Wax Candle

I’m quite sure that I saw this one get set alight at the reception, so hopefully it’s available in a multiple edition in case someone wants to purchase!

Tine Kindermann, Haitian Style Voodoo Bowie Floating In A Tin Can

Dolorosa De La Cruz, Now I Leave Them All In The Never Never Land

Inge Vandormael, Lazarus and Detail, Below

While there was a good selection of artworks featuring very classic Bowie personas that we know from his early career, many artists also drew inspiration from Bowie’s most recent album, Blackstar; specifically the song “Lazarus” and its accompanying video.

Buddy Nestor, We Are Made of Stars (2016)

I can’t even watch the Lazarus video because it is way too creepy.

Erin O’Shea, He Fell On Diamond Days (2016) Digital Fabric Print and Soft Sculpture

Rory Coyne, Rebis

Here’s a fun piece that also incorporates a bittersweet tribute to the late Freddie Mercury.

Craig LaRotonda, Major Tom’s All Time Low

This piece by Craig LaRotonda conveys such beautiful delicacy, and I love the title.

Nyahzul Blanco, Starman (2016) Photomontage on Aluminum

All gallery proceeds from sales of exhibition works will be donated to support Shadia Dot Org, an American organization which works toward breaking the cycle of poverty, gender inequality and education, empowering and trying to give economic self-sufficiency to girls – help them avoid early marriage, being forced into prostitution, or being trafficked.

Saint Bowie will be on Exhibit Through March 29th, 2016 at Stephen Romano Gallery, Located on the Southeast Corner of Harrison Place and Porter in Bushwick Brooklyn. Take the L Train to the Morgan Exit and Walk a few Blocks East on Harrison to Porter Avenue. There’s a Vietnamese Restaurant Across the Street.