February 13, 2010
6 – 8:30PM (a one-night event)
Concertina Gallery
2351 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
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CHICAGO: Damian Abraham, perhaps better known as Pink Eyes, frontman
of Toronto-based punk band Fucked Up, is an accomplished illustrator
whose work constructs a visual language based on highly detailed and
grotesque characters. X420X is Abraham’s first solo exhibition, and is
comprised of two serial projects and a site-specific wall drawing. A
to Z is a set of monstrous characters contorted to form a full set of
the alphabet, confronting the viewer upon entrance. Abraham started
this current series eight years ago, and has since developed a body of
meticulously cut forms that are at once precise and boldly perverse.

Taking cues from artist/musicians pushead and Brian Walsby, Abraham’s
work demonstrates the inseparability of music and illustration often
found in hardcore punk aesthetics. Abraham additionally looks to the
apocalyptic paintings of artist Joe Coleman, whose intricate work
interweaves pop iconography with historical references to artists such
as Hieronymus Bosch. His biggest influence, however, is his father,
who was an illustrator in the 1960s and 70s, working for Oz and Track
Records in the UK.

Damian Abraham was born in the east end of Toronto, Ontario and
attended the University of Toronto. Fucked Up formed in 2002 and has
since released 42 singles and two albums and received the Polaris
Music Prize for the year’s best new album in 2009. They are currently
represented by Matador Records. Abraham has appeared regularly on the
Fox News program Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld since 2009, playing the
voice of liberal dissent.

Fucked Up will perform at the Viaduct Theater (3111 N. Western)
immediately following the opening of X420X. The concert begins at
9:30PM on February 13.