GWAR moves gross-out antics from stage to Artspace exhibit

Violence has arrived.

GWAR is finally giving its hometown audience something to scream about. After two years spent trying to bring “The Art of GWAR” to Richmond, Artspace satisfies the friends and family of VCU’s very own GWAR with an arsenal of stage props, weapons and 2-D art.

Long-time fans of the group will have plenty to be thrilled with, as well as those who have developed their own dark affections for them in recent years. Painted pictures and mixed-media images dating back to 1988 glorify the madness time forgot. On display were Bob Gorman’s adult-themed comics, the Slavepit-Funnies which ran from 1993 through1999.

While it was overpoweringly funny to read the gory adventures, I found that the comics give a nice linear feeling to the characters as they were introduced to the world by GWAR characters like Gor-Gor.

Turning around from the comic board, Gor-Gor stands tall in the center of the gallery. The Gor-Gor costume in Artspace is actually on sale, like most of the other costumes and weapons, for $30,000.

Scott Krahl wore that same Gor-Gor costume at the Canal Club on New Year’s Eve, 2005, along with the Bile Driver, a device rigged up with hoses designed to spray simulated bile on very lucky audience members.

GWAR’s art and effects studio, The Slave Pit, is responsible for the cache of weapons at the band’s disposal, as well as all their artwork and costumes.

A picture of the band and, presumably, The Slave Pit was hung amidst the artwork, portraying a group rising in popularity and clearly enjoying it. It was the only actual image of the bandmates on display, besides the video projector showing a continuous barrage of music videos.

Some other fan favorites on display include the Orderus Orungus costume (used from 1994 until 2002,) the Cardinal Syn costume (selling for $12,000) and helmets Redneck from Hell, Skul-Hed-Face, and Bozo Destruction (1994.) Most of the original 2-D art was not for sale, but prints are available on demand for a select few of them.

“The Art of GWAR” is more than just a chance to sell costumes and boast success, it’s a window into the world GWAR has created for itself since its conception in Richmond Dairy.

The band is currently working on a new album, stage show and tour. What the public sees at Artspace is a raw representation of all the accomplishments and work of The Slave Pit and GWAR up until this point.

The exhibits will run through Sunday, Feb. 19.