SADDEST PLACE ON EARTH

by First Last

These newest works by Camille Rose Garcia examine ideas of decadence, deception, and denial explored within the context of Empire. It serves as a looking glass into the everyday violence that supports the current power structure and prescribes a glitter coated pill to ease the swallowing. The effect of the pill, once digested, depends upon the viewer. The Saddest Place on Earth is beautiful, the ballroom of an Empire, a forest of aquamarine jewels, a place where cream layered cakes, crystal castles, and opiate abundance serve to sedate the masses. But as the telescope retracts, the glossy veneer of privilege falls away to reveal another reality. Machine guns and machetes decorate the landscape alongside exploding poppies. Deer and Princesses hang suspensefully in a cloud of malaise, and disbelief becomes the ether of the living. The Saddest Place on Earth is opulent wallpaper of destruction that decorates our lives. Its surface is seductive, its layers complex, and its future uncertain.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Gothic

100 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2005

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garcia's first book collecting her lovely art commenting on our drug-dependent, war-mongering society. The San Jose Art Museum's website had a bunch of videos (my brain just froze - I can't remember the new name for them...) of Garcia explaining the thought process behind each "grouping" of her art, when they were doing her show. I don't know if they're still up, but if so they're very worth checking out. You can see in this book, and also in the videos as she explains her work, how her early art very soon matures into something deeper, and politics really comes into play. Anyway - you don't have to know any of that to love her work, of course - it just adds a level -

[Jessie Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of work by Camille Rose Garcia truly reflects the horrors and anticipation of its time period- 2001 and the handful of years after. CRG does a dark, fantastical spin on our collective nightmares post 9/11 while holding our hands not for comfort but to show us more. A beautiful and horrifying book, would def recommend.

[Rhianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing look at one of the most exceptional modern artists we have.

[Jessy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can't afford the artist's original work, buying her books is the next best thing, and this book is a gorgeous collection of Camille Rose Garcia's amazing paintings, as well as sketches and insights into her inspiration.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and hauntingly beautiful, I found myself drawn to these illustrations because I couldn't shake the feeling that this imagery was familiar--albeit the familiarity was attached to vivid dreams and Salvia. Like myself, I am assuming the artist grew up in a world of old-fashioned cartoons, stuffed animals and other achingly cute things, but along the way was permanently rattled by the viciousness and brutality of the world, and both of those aspects emerge in her art.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really interesting. The painter creates great surfaces that look distressed and aged. It is an interesting look at how this artist interprets our world and the many problems in it. She mixes playful with dreadful and it's wonderful!

[Nate D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Garcia's eerie, layered paintings are among my favorites of the whole pop surrealism/low-brow world. These can admittedly tend towards the gothic and ridiculous at times, but her personal iconography is full of vivid and insistent images nonetheless.

[Matthew Revert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garcia's eye for colour and texture never fails to dazzle me. You can get lost in her art, soaking in every nuance. This lush, beautifully produced book is a great way to introduce yourself to her dark charms.

[Amanda Platter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing artist. She paints crazy melancholy creatures on wood. Visually stunning.

[Chadwick]

Bleh. I'm so tired of the so-called lowbrow art movement.

[Ida · Rating 5 out of 5]

i learned about art. she makes some pretty art.

[Femmebot 75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than the story I loved the artwork!!!

[T. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite artists.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my FAVORITES!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

these artworks really do reflect 'the saddest place on earth'. that's certainly how it made me feel. i love the art of camille rose garcia, so unusual and unique.

[Zelly B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.

[Karina]

amazing art work

[Conal Cochran · Rating 1 out of 5]

Imagine Stephanie McMillan were commissioned to do a series of Fall Out Boy album covers.

Yeah, it's that bad.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome art work, absolutely inspiring to gander at. Enjoyed every page and will look for more from this artist.

[Synd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this artbook.