An evening exploring Culver City’s  January 12 art openings would not be complete without a stop at the Century Guild‘s “After the Apocalypse” show where old and new artists hang under Thomas Negovan‘s curatorial eye. Works on paper by Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) and Bruno Goldschmitt (1881-1964) complement 21st century artist  Richard Friend (known for his Batman: The Dark Knight  and other comic book artwork) who with “The Black Drawings,” a series of pen and ink works, takes the viewer on a journey into the most frightening and ecstatic possibilities of the subconscious.

This is a unique chance to view Mucha’s  series of seven sepia-toned lithographs Le Pater which depict mankind in an otherworldy landscape, containing unique and striking imagery that suggests a collective subconscious or vast afterlife populated with guardian spirits, bristling serpentine monsters, rivers of milk, and primal, inquisitive masses of humanity.  Le Pater‘s extremely limited edition of  510 were printed on December  20, 1899, making this Mucha’s love letter to the close of the century. Mucha’s flowing Art Nouveau illustrations and commercial work are etched in public consciousness, and his influence reverberates across three centuries.

Opening reception January 12, 6pm-9pm.

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Collector and Gallerist Thomas Negovan: On Collecting and Century Guild in Los Angeles