Courtesy of the Christopher Gustave Memorial and Exhibit Facebook Event Page
On March 8, the Mad Art Gallery will host a memorial exhibit from 7 to 11 p.m., honoring the life of artist Christopher Gustave, who died suddenly in January and left behind an eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. The memorial exhibit will feature Gustave’s work and live performances by his friends and collaborators. There will also be a silent auction and works for sale, with the proceeds going toward an annuity trust for Sophie. There is no set admission fee, but there is a suggested donation of $15, and there will be a bar and light refreshments.
Gustave was a graduate of the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design, and displayed his works in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. Even before he moved to St. Louis, he would not pass up an opportunity to display his unique work, which was largely built from debris and other discarded items.
After moving here, Gustave had a great impact on the local art scene. His works utilized a variety of media and methods including photography, digital arts, welding, printmaking and even woodworking. It was through his graphic design, however, that he had perhaps the largest impact on the St. Louis area. He worked with bands such as TripStar, The Poppies, and Vitamen A to create album artwork and promotional materials.
“Chris played a major role in the St. Louis music scene creating posters and album art for many local and regional acts,” says friend Tony Vrooman. “One of his strongest accomplishments was a collaboration of music and art called the ‘Six Comforts.’ It was also exhibited at the Mad Art Gallery. He produced a CD with local artists and an incredible art installation surrounding the concept.”
Vrooman will be a part of the performances Saturday night with an acoustic set by Vitamen A. Other performers include Steve Nowels Project, Cold Hearted Strangers, Rebecca & Josh, Brandy Johnson, Heidi Dean Trio, Celia, and Kimmy V.
It’s only fitting that Gustave’s life will be celebrated by his friends through his works. His view on the importance of art was well documented by his own words: “Art to the artist is a reason for living more precious than living… Art is more precious than life.”
Mad Art Gallery is located at 2727 South 12th Street. For more information, call 314-771-8230, visit madart.com or go to the memorial's Facebook event page.
