Join me on Saturday, April 9, for my next solo exhibit at Harmony Vineyards & Gallery! Located on Stony Brook Harbor, the beautiful waterfront building the gallery and tasting room is located in was built in 1690 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There will be a jazz concert after the reception for those who want to stick around.
Paintings inspired by the films of Alain Robbe-Grillet (select paintings from my series), abstract pieces, and artwork inspired by Old Hollywood will be on display. Everything is available for purchase. They will be exhibited for an entire month. See you there!
The wonderful Anna McKay of The Visual Female interviewed me just before the new year. I had a lot of fun answering her questions and was honored to be chosen as Visual Female of the Month! I talk about my second exhibit, a few of my favorite artists, give some movie recommendations, and more. Click the preview if you’re interested!
NEW URGE READER 2: EROTIC FICTION BY NEW WOMEN WRITERS
At the end of 2015, I was asked by Norman Conquest to write an introduction to an anthology of erotic fiction. The New Urge Reader 2: Erotic Fiction by New Women Writers is out now, published by New Urge, an imprint of Black Scat Books, known for publishing English translations of French surrealist and absurdist works, as well as new editions of classics such as Venus In Furs and Fanny Hill. I talk a bit about my debut art show in the intro, as well as my meetings with legendary writer of erotica, actress, dominatrix, and Alain Robbe-Grillet’s widow, Catherine Robbe-Grillet. A perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, you can buy it here.
An illustration of mine (one of my favorites) will also accompany a story by Tosh Berman in the Black Scat Review, which will be released in the Spring.
Back in October of 2015, just a few days after my Alain Robbe-Grillet inspired art exhibit at Holyrad Studio, I sat front row at FIAF to hear Catherine Robbe-Grillet and her partner Beverly Charpentier speak, with Toni Bentley moderating. Catherine talked about the ceremonies she conducts at her 17th-century French chateau and her journey from being a submissive to becoming a dominant.
When asked if she misses being submissive, her reply: “No. I am both dominant and submissive because I live as a submissive through Beverly.” She was witty and funny, and Beverly was competely charming. Catherine inspires me enormously (I mean, look at what she’s wielding!)– it was a truly moving experience. One of my favorite lines said by Beverly in the Vanity Fair article by Toni Bentley: “It is not about pain. It is about how to suffer beautifully, like Saint Sebastian.” If you’re curious about their relationship, I urge you to read that fascinating article.
The book that Catherine signed for me at the FIAF event. “You absolutely must believe that Sisyphus is happy!” she writes in the book. Who can argue with that?!
I got to meet and talk to Catherine and Beverly afterwards. What a once in a lifetime opportunity. I told her I would give her any painting from my Alain Robbe-Grillet series that she wants. Anything for Catherine! On a sidenote, I saw one of my favorite directors in the book signing room– Radley Metzger. I didn’t recognize him until someone said his name as he was leaving. I would’ve loved to have spoken with him. Metzger directed the gorgeous 1974 masterpiece The Image, based on the classic erotic novel by Catherine. The book was banned and burned when it was released in 1956. Catherine was 25 when she published the book.
A few weeks later, I saw Beverly Charpentier, Catherine Robbe-Grillet, and Sylvère Lotringer speak after the screening of Lotringer’s never-before-seen film (even Catherine’s first viewing) Violent Femmes at Anthology Film Archives. The film is a conversation between Catherine and an American dominatrix, recorded in the early 80s and edited in 1998 (neither one understood what the other said due to their different languages).
It was quite surreal to hear my name in a conversation between Catherine and Beverly (in French) before the screening and have them come up to me. “We’ll speak after the film,” Beverly said after they greeted me. After the film and the audience talk ended, I waited for a long time as various admirers came up to them. Beverly mentioned how patient I am and then translated to Catherine everything I said to them about my recent Alain Robbe-Grillet inspired art exhibit in Brooklyn.
“You are converting people into Alain fans!” they exclaimed cheerfully.
They were also thrilled to hear how everyone who came to the reception during my exhibit loved the screening of Trans-Europ-Express.
The three of us then walked into the adjoining room where everyone had gathered and Beverly insisted I get myself a cup of wine before it was all gone (I listened, of course). They were extremely charming and funny as we talked about non-prurient topics (I didn’t feel the need to ask anything and the audience had done all that already during the talk after the screening).
As we said our goodbyes, Beverly asked, “Are you ever in France?” I said I’ve been there once and I always plan on going back. “We will keep in touch. Let me know if you’re in France and we will meet again.” A truly amazing night, one I will never forget…
Escape this blistering cold and join me for some hot cocoa, candlelight, and eros on Sat, Dec 5th, at 7pm! At Home Art Gallery in beautiful Port Jefferson, Long Island (only a few minutes from where I live, right next to the Long Island Sound,and near Stony Brook University, which I graduated from a few years ago), I will be exhibiting several of my paintings.
For those who weren’t able to make it to my debut show in October, this is your chance to see my Alain Robbe-Grillet inspired acrylic and ink paintings, which are my interpretations of scenes from the first four films of French filmmaker, writer, and genius Alain Robbe-Grillet.
Other paintings will also be on display, as well as older artwork (abstract pieces), which explore the same themes present in the Robbe-Grillet series: namely, pleasure & pain. The exhibit will be up until the New Year.
In other exciting news, I also just opened my store on Society 6 so you can purchase gallery quality Giclée prints and canvas prints starting from $15. Don’t miss out on the Black Friday Sale! Click below to be directed to my page.
As December nears, I will be adding more prints and stationary, as well– so you can order Marquis de Sade birthday cards and erotic holiday cards for your beloved… I will keep you all updated, as always <3.
Last Saturday was the day of my Eros And Afterexhibition at Holyrad Studio! Thank you everyone for coming. It really meant a lot to me for people to brave the terrible weather. I hope you enjoyed my paintings inspired by Alain Robbe-Grillet‘s first films (L’Immortelle, The Man Who Lies, Trans-Europ-Express, & Eden and After) and the screening of Trans-Europe-Express.The storm outside kept blowing against the building but to be inside Holyrad Studio and Alain’s world was such an intimate experience. We had candles burning and wine flowing! Here are some photos taken by me from my low-quality smartphone camera (I really need to buy a real camera!) unless otherwise noted– many are taken by my friend Natasha Bluth who did a beautiful job. The studio had extended the exhibition to Sunday, Oct 4, but select pieces are still on view until the end of October. Contact Holyrad Studio if you’d like to take a look or purchase anything.
Photo by Meghan Harlow.
If you want to know about my process, my interest in Alain Robbe-Grillet, and what’s next for me, check out my recent interview with Liz von Klemperer on Art Report.
Eros And After exhibition
Here I am in front of my paintings inspired by scenes from Alain Robbe-Grillet’s films L’Immortelle and The Man Who Lies. Photo by Meghan Harlow.Photo by Natasha Bluth.Photo by Natasha Bluth.The first half of my Eros And After series. Starting with Alain Robbe-Grillet’s first film L’Immortelle.Some of my paintings depicting scenes from Alain Robbe-Grillet’s film The Man Who Lies: “Thumb Suck,”“Hair Pull,” and “Black Blindfold.”Close-up of “Thumb Suck.”These art students were among my favorites. They had really perceptive comments and asked great questions about my paintings. They brought up things I’d never noticed before in my own work and totally understood the whole concept for my show. It was a pleasure talking to them– one of them said she would write about my show for a class assignment.Damian, my other favorite painting subject, next to his favorite painting, “Assassin’s Kiss.” The one on the end (one of my favorites too) depicts a scene from Alain Robbe-Grillet’s Trans-Europ-Express.Liz von Klemperer, Sean, and other guests Saturday night after the Trans-Europ-Express screening.Liz in front of my “Eve In Chains” painting, depicting a scene at the end of Alain Robbe-Grillet’s Trans-Europ-Express. Guests were treated to an intimate, cozy screening of the film that night. It made me so happy to see what a crowd-pleaser it was. A huge hit!Watching Alain Robbe-Grillet’s L’Immortelle before Trans-Europ-Express. This gorgeous, haunting scene (clearly) inspired the second painting pictured here.The studio radiates warmth, especially during the terrible, rainy, windy, chilly weather!Natasha came by to take some photographs of my show on Sunday. She interviewed me the week before for an article she’s writing about my show. Here she is standing in front of her favorite painting in the Eros And After series, “Eva,” which depicts a scene from Alain Robbe-Grillet’s film Trans-Europ-Express.Photo by Natasha Bluth. “Assassin’s Hand” on the end.Photo by Natasha Bluth. “Eva Looks At Elias,” and we look at her.“Choke Hold,” “Eve In Chains,” and one inspired by Eden And After, “Untitled.”“Choke Hold,” the climax of Alain Robbe-Grillet’s film Trans-Europ-Express.The second half of my Eros And After series. 10 paintings on one side, 10 on the other, so 20 in all– perfectly symmetrical which was unintended! These color paintings (and the last black and white painting) depict scenes from Alain Robbe-Grillet’s first color film Eden and After.Photo by Natasha Bluth. The last painting, “A Kiss is the Beginning of Cannibalism,” is my personal favorite. It made sense to end with that painting for so many reasons.Sunday was sunny!The garage door/window open during the few sunny hours on Sunday. Everyone who came to my reception the previous night sat in those comfy seats to view Alain Robbe-Grillet’s film Trans-Europ-Express.Photo by Natasha Bluth.Photo by Natasha Bluth.It’s hard to tell in this photo but we posted some sexy stills from some of Alain Robbe-Grillet’s films on the door of Holyrad Studio, opened the garage door/window next to it to let in fresh air, got my jazz playlist going since the weather became relatively warm for a few hours, and a lot of people dropped in! It was absolutely fantastic to interact with everybody.The “O” symbol of Holyrad Studio framing the climax of Trans-Europ-Express.Art director Jacqui King Wack and I thinking about becoming a comedic duo due to our height difference.Photo by Natasha Bluth.
Before Eros
Holyrad Studio owner Daryl Oh behind one of my paintings inspired by Alain Robbe-Grillet’s film L’Immortelle. Last Thursday during our layout testing.The Trans-Elizabeth-Express (my brother’s car) arrived in Brooklyn from Long Island the Thursday afternoon before my weekend show with all my paintings on board. Here are half of my paintings laid out at Holyrad Studio waiting to be unwrapped and suspended from the ceiling. My framer, Michael Choi of the Home Art Gallery in Port Jefferson, Long Island, did an absolutely beautiful job.Figuring out the order…Logistics… and to-do lists.
… to my noir-infused underworld of murder ballads, hard-boiled odalisques, gangsters, jazz musicians, beatniks, and aesthetes.
My name is Elizabeth Yoo. I am a freelance illustrator and noir writer living in New York.
My tumblr blog lejazznik was my first attempt (a few years ago) at making a website– it mainly became a place for me to post and reblog my favorite films, photographs, music, art, and literature. With this website I hope to finally achieve what I initially wanted to make: a focused, visually stimulating refuge in which I can share my favorite things– the things that make me happy– and indulge in my many interests.
At the moment I am working on a series of paintings inspired by the films and novels of Alain Robbe-Grillet. I can’t wait to share my noir stories with you– they will all be accompanied with an illustration or two.
Elizabeth Yoo 