The Life Art of John H.U. Weiss

Images from: FULL FRONTAL POP

2009-09-26T09:21:00.016-05:00

(L) John H.U. Weiss 'Modern Primitive', Andy Fabo 'James Street Gang' series
(C) John H.U. Weiss, performance platform
(R) Andy Fabo 'James Street Gang' series

New works by John Weiss, Andy Fabo, Kevin O'Byrne, and Van LaPointe, in this group show currently open to the public at the W.K.P. Kennedy Gallery in North Bay, Ontario.

"Sickle Moon", 2009
acrylic on canvas
72" x 36"

"Gas Mask", 2009
acrylic on canvas
72" x 36"

"Modern Primitive", 2009
acrylic on canvas
72" x 36"

Mythology and street histories are examined in this collaborative exhibition of new works, performances and videos by these contemporary artists. Fabo, known for his drawing and media works, will be working with O'Bryne and LaPointe on a new series of torso sculptures and silkscreens that go where Warhol never went! North Bay's always flamboyant John H. U. Weiss will erect a performance set in the gallery, perform a "tribal tableau" in the gallery and create a new series of paintings for the show.

"Ancient Rituals", 2009
acrylic on canvas
72" x 36"

"Cat Dancing on Five", 2009
acrylic on canvas
72" x 36"

"Satyr with Tattoos", 2009
acrylic on canvas
32" x 32"

"Lovers in my Time", 2009
mixed media montage
36" x 48"

"Funky Doodle", 2009
acrylic on canvas
32" x 32"

Upcoming Events

2009-02-21T18:01:00.001-05:00

FULL FRONTAL POP:
New Works by Andy Fabo, Kevin O'Byrne, Van LaPointe and John H.U. Weiss

W.K.P. Kennedy Gallery, Capital Centre
North Bay, Ontario
150 Main St. East
August 29 - October 1, 2009

Performance, installation and drawing.

Mythology and street histories are examined in this collaborative exhibition of new works, performances and videos by these three contemporary artists. Fabo, known for his drawing and media works, will be working with O'Bryne and LaPointe on a new series of torso sculptures and silkscreens that go where Warhol never went! North Bay's always flamboyant John H. U. Weiss will erect a performance set in the gallery, perform a "tribal tableau" in the gallery and create a new series of paintings for the show.

News from the WWW

2008-09-13T19:09:00.002-05:00

"I create a blender mix of glorious acid colours, decadently twisted, on a huge theatrical scale. Intimate and personal, they are intended to be revealing and overwhelming for the public and fellow artists. Outtah the rubic cube! Juxtapose over-the-moon!" - John H.U. Weiss

Virtual Museum has launched A Retrospective of Artists in North Bay and Surrounding Areas

This Community Memories exhibit celebrates the lives and artwork of 36 artists - among many others - who live, or have lived, in North Bay, Ontario and surrounding areas. The exhibit is not intended to be exhaustive but, besides painting, drawing and sculpture, the retrospective includes comic art, digital art, mixed media, new media, jewellery, photography and printmaking.

A Retrospective of Artists in North Bay and Surrounding Areas is presented with a 'behind-the- scenes' approach. As such, the presentation includes eclectic items unseen by the public until now.

People who live in North Bay may discover new sides to old friends in this exhibit. Those who live outside of North Bay may be inspired to visit this thriving arts community.

Primeval Arousal (installation view), 2001
White Water Gallery, North Bay, Ontario, Canada

John Weiss, Illustrations for Accumulation (three-person exhibition), 2003
White Water Gallery, North Bay, Ontario, Canada

Weiss Room in North Bay, ON

2008-06-24T16:08:00.006-05:00

John's work available for viewing in the back area of this fine consignment boutique owned and operated by Twinkle Lemieux.

Desiger Clothing, Accessories & Home Decor

Location: Ritzy Ragz, 669 Cassells St., North Bay

Interview with John H.U. Weiss

2008-06-24T16:05:00.005-05:00

This interview originally appeared in the June 2008 issue of Solvent Magazine, a North Bay area art and culture publication that features musicians, artists and local politics. The interview was done during a solo exhibition of John's work at Flux United Gallery called "Altared States" October 2007.

Photo: David Bentley 2007

John Weiss, is by any measure, an institution within the North Bay art scene. Having taught at W.J. Fricker for 30 years, he has inspired generations in this community with a love of art. Recently, his art was shown at Flux Gallery in a show called “Altared States”, which was curated by Ian-Patrick McAllister.

Solvent (S): I guess the worst way to start off an interview like this would be to ask a broad general question such as “What do you think of your art”?

John Weiss (JW): I wouldn’t want to answer that question. I’d rather find out what you are thinking and feeling about one of my paintings, than for me to tell you anything about them. Art is what you get out of it.

(S): You believe the relationship between artist and audience is interactive rather than dictatorial. I can imagine that it’s difficult when someone experiences your art, and still looks to you to articulate a set of impressions for them.

(JW): If a person has ideas and an open mind, then a conversation is like an elastic, it can go in all different directions. Otherwise, it just isn’t happening.

(S): I noticed that the response that a lot of people had upon entering the Altared States opening was an emotional one, it was mood altering.

(JW): It was more like a celebration and my art has that attitude.

(S): Part of what you were able to accomplish with this show was to radically change a person’s context. You transported people. People walk in off the street, enter “Altared States”, and leave “Hockeyville” a long way behind.

(JW): We could have been in the Village, we could have been on Queen St., we could have been in Berlin. We could be anywhere, and it is also timeless. That is what I like about showing art.

(S): Do you think that your role as citizen, teacher and artist in North Bay has been to bring some cosmopolitan attitude here to Hockeyville?

(JW): It certainly isn’t a mission or anything, but I am what I am, I am who I am, and this is my world.

(S): So the cosmopolitan exposure is a happy accident of your existence here.

(JW): It is more like a collision than a happy accident. This is in fact Bambi-killerville, or Hockeyville as you say it. I have collided with it on occasion. Ian did too. He got stabbed within months of moving here.

(S): That wasn’t a very good welcome to North Bay.

(JW): I like nature and I like where I live, and I like the people here, but you won’t find me at closing time outside of a bar, in case someone doesn’t like the shirt I’m wearing or the fact that his girl was dancing with me. I’d rather go to Toronto and be in a club with 3000 like-minded people, or Gay Pride in Montreal or any fetish party where people tend to do their thing, whatever that is, with respect. You might encounter someone who is acting like a dog, and that’s his thing. And you can do whatever you want. Bottom line is if you aren’t paying my bills, I’m not fucking you, and I’m not in love with you, then I don’t give a shit what you do.

(S): You just mentioned Ian Patrick McAllister, the curator of Altared States. I think it is interesting that you have lived in North Bay for 30-something years, become an institution within this community, and then a relative newcomer is the one who has a vision of how to express your work that he wants to present to the public. Did it take the perspective of someone from outside of this community to see your work the way Ian has?

(JW): I don’t think it was that. Although we attended 20 years apart, we both graduated from Ontario College of Art, and had many of the same teachers and influence while we were there. I think it was our common background and influences that gave him insight into my work and what I am trying to do.

(S): One of the fun things about your opening was the fact that a lot of your former students showed up, and it was the first time they met you in a social setting.

(JW): That made the opening feel like a performance piece.

(S): Back to Ian again, and his role as curator. He said that your house is a piece of art unto itself. One of things he wanted to accomplish was to recreate the attitude that your house has, in a gallery environment.

(JW): That was totally his idea, and I thought it was great. I asked him what he wanted, and he said “Basically I want this, that, your art, your spirit, and your mind.” He took my art, furniture, and things that I collect and have lying around my house, to represent me and my environment.

(S): Ian told me that the whole concept of the show revolves around the idea that you are inseparable from your art. One should not be considered separately from the other.

(JW): Yes, and then there is the concept of the Altars. I was raised as a German Lutheran, so I got the guilt and the punishment. These Altars are placed at the foot of my paintings, and objects of interest are placed on them because I am honouring the things I love. I don’t want people to see dead animals on these Altars, I want them to see the lost spirits. I love nature. In my paintings there are tribal references that work with the arrangements on these altars. It is about nature and life. My art shows reverence for those things.

(S): There is a lot of Marlene Dietrich reverence in your art.

(JW): I’m German born, and she was a decadent German lesbian goddess. She was androgynous, and wore a top hat, and a tuxedo. She carried a cane, and smoked. She was really over the top for her time. Now it wouldn’t be a big deal.

(S): So you pay homage to pioneering spirit of Marlene Dietrich. During the Altared States exhibition, you had former students, who are still making art, bring their art in to show you. Did you ever feel tempted to give them a mark on it?

(JW): No. I never wanted to give marks on art. I’d rather give an encouraging comment like: “You’ve succeeded”, or “You’ve gone beyond yourself since the last time I saw your work”, or “You are into a new phase now.” Well, hello how are you? (In greeting to Jessica Roy who enters the gallery)

Jessica Roy (JR): Great now that I am done for the week.

(S): Take off your clothes and stay awhile and look around.

(JR): Take off my clothes? It’s not that kind of visit is it?

(JW): No no.

(JR): I love all the big murals.

(JW): All of this is my work. The whole thing. You’ve basically just walked into my house. Except it is an art lounge on Main St.

(JR): Suddenly North Bay feels so cultured.

(JW): We try.

(JR): Now can you do something about Tim Hortons?

(S): John hasn’t defeated Hockeyville quite yet.

(JW): But I did defeat a guy with a space between his two front teeth that he used to shoot spit through. So, take a look at all the art, and if you would like to chat about it, the artist is right here.

Photo: Bill Pusztai ©2006
-
*This interview courtesy Solvent Magazine available through the Underdog on Main St. in North Bay ON

Online archive of this interview: Solvent Magazine

Bill Pusztai photography: http://www.radiantpage.com

Sudiu Er'k

2008-02-20T06:53:00.003-05:00

A film by Dermot Wilson featuring John H.U. Weiss.

Sudiu Er'k, 2004
or a Contemplation of Flight (from Moise's Pattern)
other projects by Dermot Wilson:
http://www.pseudoarc.com/

2007-03-13T11:18:00.000-05:00

"1921 Under Tuscany Sun", 2006
acrylic on canvas
10" x 8"

2007-03-13T11:07:00.000-05:00

"Hollywood Land, Evil - Good", 2006
acrylic on canvas
10" x 8"

2007-03-13T10:58:00.000-05:00

untitled diptych, 2006
acrylic on canvas
10" x 8" ea.

2007-03-03T16:01:00.000-05:00

"Tribal Omens", 2004
acrylic on canvas
10" x 8"

On The Back:
"To my Jesse - My man, My love, My heart, Cosmic soul mate by change... The 'Gods' did have it in the stars, Thus title, Tribal Omen." signed John Weiss Nov. 04

2007-03-03T11:18:00.000-05:00

"Marlene Dietrich Smokes in Bed", 2007
acrylic on canvas
10" x 8"

On the Back:
"A classic black & white; Siren - Bitch Man Killer. P.S. My mother knew her in Berlin 1939. 'Put the Blame on Lola', 'Blue Angel"...etc." signed John Weiss

2007-03-02T15:08:00.000-05:00

"Madam Butterfly", 2005
acrylic on canvas
10" x 8"

On The Back in Marker:
"Puccini High Sea - High Drama Opera. 1st real tear jerker! Soap Opera 101. YA KNOW THE MAN'O POWER GETS "YOUR BABY!" signed John Weiss, 2005

2007-03-02T14:32:00.000-05:00

"Tropical Lush Dreams", 2005
acrylic on canvas
10" x 8"

On The Back in Marker:
"Aztec! Rain forest! Life igloo Northerners don't have, but escape to often - thems with Dollahahahz" signed, John Weiss, Nov.05

2007-03-02T14:06:00.000-05:00

"Tadpoles do swim at Night to the Light of the Full Moon", 2005
acrylic & metallic paint o/c
10" x 8"

On the Back in Marker:
"Moonlight bathing always relaxing. Tadpoles love it. So do I. Artist also. Tadpoles remind me of strong swimmer sperms, it's a MAN THING. LOL. D.O.F.L.F.O." signed John Weiss Nov.05

2007-02-13T12:56:00.000-05:00

"Just Java", 2005
acrylic and metalic paint on canvas
10" x 8"

On The Back In Marker:
"Killer Java, Really JUST JAVA with a mind like this, Do I look like I need ANYTHING? I think NOT! O.K. $$$ John Weiss Nov. 05 Weiss' World on Java, Just Java, Title."

2007-02-06T20:56:00.000-05:00

Outta Dah Rubik's Cube
WKP Kennedy Gallery Installation View
February 11 - 25, 2006

2007-02-05T16:03:00.000-05:00

Groove King,
marker & pencil on paper
8 1/2" x 11"

2007-02-02T13:21:00.000-05:00

untitled,
ink on paper
8 1/2" x 11"

2007-01-31T18:30:00.000-05:00

untitled, 2005
acrylic paint on canvas
3' x 8'

2007-01-31T18:08:00.000-05:00

untitled,
marker and acrylic paint
8 1/2" x 11"

2007-01-30T23:45:00.000-05:00

I Don't Want To Be the Boy Next Door,
collage, marker, and acrylic
8 1/2" x 11"

2007-01-30T23:03:00.000-05:00

untitled,
silk screen print
dims. unknown

2007-01-30T23:01:00.000-05:00

title unknown,
acrylic on non-stretched canvas
5' x 8'

2007-01-30T22:11:00.000-05:00

untitled,
marker, and acrylic paint on newsprint
8 1/2 " x 11

2007-01-30T22:09:00.000-05:00

untitled,
collage, maker, and acrylic paint
8 1/2" x 11"

2007-01-30T21:45:00.000-05:00

untitled
collage, maker, and acrylic paint
8 1/2" x 11"