Episode #13 feat. Gustave Blache III
In this episode, Eric speaks with celebrated artist Gustave Blache III who talks about his journey as an artist; his education, working with gallerists and establishing his unique style of painting -- combining traditional painting methods of portraiture with journalism in a brand of art which he affectionately terms, Visual Journalism: series of paintings that documents the lives of and highlights the process and unique labors of everyday society from mop makers to prison entertainment... the process of discovering and the challenges of gaining access these unique stories and occupations... and how he develops a relationship of trust with his subjects. He discusses some of his most notable work; including the Leah Chase series that documented national culinary star chef in the kitchen and the dining room in one of New Orleans’ most famous restaurants, Dooky Chase Restaurant and his most recent project "Rodeo Lifers". Gustave discusses the establishment of the Gustave Blache Art Scholarship with The School of Visual Arts and the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities; and Blache’s commitment to community and education.
Guest Bio: Gustave Blache III is an American figurative artist from New Orleans, Louisiana, currently residing in Brooklyn, New York. He is best known for his works in series that highlight the process and unique labors of everyday society. Blache is largely credited for combining traditional painting methods of portraiture with journalism in a brand of art which he affectionately terms, Visual Journalism. His documentary style format uses a series of paintings, dedicated to one subject, to tell the story of an overlooked individual or process. Labor is usually at the center of Blache’s series’ and depiction of laborers including The Curtain Cleaners, The Mop Makers, Leah Chase: Paintings by Gustave Blache III, and Simon Parkes Art Conservation (SPAC). From April 24, 2012 to September 16, 2012, the New Orleans Museum of Art exhibited Blache's most notable series up to date, Leah Chase: Paintings by Gustave Blache III. The exhibition documented national culinary star chef Leah Chase in the kitchen and the dining room in one of New Orleans’ most famous restaurants, Dooky Chase Restaurant. In 2018 Gustave established the Gustave Blache Art Scholarship with The School of Visual Arts and the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. The scholarship covers half the tuition for two students from Louisiana chosen to attend the School of Visual Arts in New York City. The scholarship is an extension of a Blache’s commitment to community and education.
