“I think Banksy wishes he could be Himbad” – D*Face
Regardless of the statements’ validity, Himbad is an intriguing persona; he explores the deepest depths of his own psyche through his critically-acclaimed work.
His murals can be found around the globe in cities ranging from Los Angeles and Tokyo to Berlin and Paris. Last month, the UK-based artist finally landed in New York City to prepare a new series of work at 3rd Ethos Gallery in Brooklyn. After a career focused predominantly on public street art, Thursday, May 24th marked a special occasion kicking off the artist’s first solo show in the US, and a unique opportunity for viewers to see a collection of works that tells a rich story.
Over time Himbad has fostered a distinct identity by depicting an array of colorful, sometimes puzzling creatures inspired by his studies in Egyptian folklore and Eastern mythology. His style stands alone with its use of vibrant hues and experimental techniques, which the artist carefully employs to give every little being a personality of its own. In the “9th Wave” we see these characters join forces to give viewers a tour of the underworld, a realm of Himbad’s devise which is at once dreamlike and deviant.
3rd Ethos proves the perfect home for this unmissable debut show. Not only does the space exude an urban “cool”, its intimate layout aptly guides viewers through the illuminated, cheeky narrative presented by Himbad, and under the 9th Wave. Once there, viewers are immediately immersed in an electrically kaleidoscopic underworld, where Himbad’s Meowls and their family of foreboding furry creatures taunt us further along.
The story seems to begin with “Fuck This” where a colorful portal to this world is guarded by an entirely apathetic being. The artist’s “Call to Adventure” introduces viewers to another character with eyes that say, “you shouldn’t trust me, but we both know you will anyways.” Throughout the journey, viewers can revel in the flora and fauna that lie beneath the 9th wave, including a heart in captivity and a mad (stoned?) scientist. The latter features bioluminescent pigment, which lends an additional dimension of trippiness to the lightbox and testifies to the artist’s commitment to be daring.
As viewers explore this fantasy world, they come to find that it is rooted in reality and the darker sides of monotonous everyday life that tends to slip by unnoticed. Himbad has noted that he prefers to work from the subconscious, where our minds attempt to process the insurmountable wealth of information we receive in our waking lives. The gallery’s radiant black lighting only serves to emphasize this atmosphere of sinister exploration.
No spoilers here though, in order to understand the full range of the underworld exposed by Himbad’s “9th Wave”, viewers will have to visit 3rd Ethos for themselves. There, they will be confronted by the artist’s high-energy, tongue-in-cheek style and his proclivity for finding beauty in the misunderstood. Once there, they may begin to understand what has kept Himbad so busy becoming simply himself.
Himbad: Instagram
3rd Ethos Gallery: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Himbad and the 9th Wave
May 24th-June 24th 2018
154 Knickerbocker Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237
