Djordje Ozbolt - Hardcover

The work of Serbian-born, London-based painter Djordje Ozbolt is laced with sinister humor and virtuosity of hand. This limited edition, numbered first monograph - exquisitely produced with luxurious paper changes, a ribbon, a gatefold poster and a French-folded jacket printed on both sides - contains works from Ozbolt's first solo show in New York, all completed in 2007 and 2008. These include: "Thrilla," an infectiously deadpan acrylic of Michael Jackson, clad in the famous red leather suit, with arms akimbo and ghouls all around; "A Kiss is Just a Kiss," in which a tail-hanging monkey and an African okapi smooch mid-air; and "He's Back," starring a hairy giant holding a club and a decapitated head, marching in front of a roiling night sky. Essayist David Rimanelli writes, "Ozbolt, playing fast and loose with a wide range of painterly effects and art-historical references, dives into the historical muck, willy-nilly; he's having fun."