PORT ANGELES — “The Brute” is coming to Studio Bob.
Studio Bob, upstairs at 118½ E. Front St., in Port Angeles will present an unusual exhibit for Second Weekend Art Walk this month — a collection of Robert Loughlin’s “The Brute.”
Loughlin, a former graffiti artist who earned a distinctive place in the New York art and design worlds, was best known for his portraits of “The Brute,” a tough-looking, square-jawed character with a cigarette dangling from his lips.
‘Manifestations’
“The Brute turned up in numerous manifestations — on parking lot walls, lampposts, old pieces of furniture, mirrors and canvas,” according to his obituary published after his death in 2011 at the age of 62. He was hit by a car while on “a bender,” according to The New York Times.
Of his many well-heeled clients, Andy Warhol had bought so many of his painted chairs that he referred to Loughlin as the “chairman,” according to several sources.
His partner of 31 years, Gary Carlson — who was the inspiration for “The Brute” — will exhibit some of his collection of “The Brute” works as well as give a talk about the artist and their life in the New York art scene, said Bob Stokes, owner of Studio Bob.
The opening reception for the exhibit will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Carlson will be on stage to talk about the artist at 7 p.m. that night.
The exhibit will be open again Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
It will be on display only those two days.
There will be a no-host bar in “The Loom,” which is next to the studio.
Here is roundup of other special events Saturday.
• 1 of a Kind Art Gallery in The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave., will showcase its featured artists of the month, Chelsea Palmer and Nick Fries, for the Second Saturday Art Walk.
Rick and Friends will provide music while patrons browse the artworks and have a beverage.
Palmer, a multimedia artist, works in mixed media, painting, drawing and sculpting.
Her art has sold in the U.S. and to international collectors.
Fries, an oil painter, creates surrealistic assemblages.
His work often reflects the memory of his experiences in Vietnam where he served as a Green Beret medic until he was wounded in March 1970. He received a Combat Medical Badge, Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal;, among other military decorations.
• Bar N9NE, 229 W. First St., promises to get raw this weekend during its 2nd Friday Art Rock (2FAR).
The Art Rock City event will begin at 9 p.m. and will feature The Bangers band and artists from Mark’d Body Art.
The $3 cover charge will help support the musicians and artists.
“Since 2015, The Bangers have been bringing hard-core noise that rumbles the streets of Port Angeles and crumbles our sensibilities,” said the bar’s Dan Lieberman.
“Experienced performers and musical shredders with pedigrees from Super Happy Storytime Land, Robot Pi, Cron and Govinda and inspiration from VW’s, theremins, ethyl alcohol and Frank Zappa, The Bangers deliver a complete and memorable experience.”
Artists from Mark’d Body Art will complement the music, Lieberman said.
“Their downtown tattoo and piercing shop is a draw for people from all around the region, and at 2FAR, they will be showing off their artistic abilities,” he said.
“All together, the artists from Mark’d Body Art, the musicians from The Bangers, and the huge crowds these guys regularly draw are sure to make this Friday a memorable night.”
• Harbor Art, 110 E. Railroad Ave., will open early for Saturday’s art walk at 4 p.m.
It will stay open with an artists’ reception until 7 p.m., showing the original work of 14 local artists, which includes photography, paintings, block prints, sculpture, wood work, ceramics, glass and jewelry.
This month, Harbor Art is featuring ceramic artist Terri Enck.
Her work is described as being “like a trip to the beach” because her major inspiration is the ocean. A friend and collector has dubbed her the “Mud Shaman” for her bowls and sculptures.
Artist Robert Laughlin poses with one of his pieces. (Gary Carlson)
“The Brute” by Robert Laughlin. (Gary Carlson)
