Tainted Paradise Astronaut Collage

California-based Canadian visual artist David Krovblit fuses images from vintage books and magazines with his original photography to make luxurious, hand-assembled collages. His visionary work is a reflection of his vivid imagination and almost dream state; an other-worldly consciousness. His asymmetrically designed depictions explore such themes as the preciousness of nature, the fragility of life and death, science fiction, fantasy and tongue-in-cheek social commentary. Krovblit’s work often triggers a reaction to the core - stimulating laughter, intrigue, nostalgia and amazement. Krovblit’s ever-evolving process combines old and new methods. Designed digitally, he prints the entire image at the desired scale (preferably large), then cuts the layers by hand and re-assembles them with adhesive on custom-sized, cradled wood panels or walls. Using instinct and flow to achieve the final composition, Krovblit is experimental - often diverting from his original layout in the analogue phase (pasting). A final coat(s) of resin seals the work and adds dimension. While the collages’ remastered stories as a whole are personally compelling and relatable to the soul, the eye is visually prompted to inspect the work’s physical elements more closely. Details such as paper that is poking up and outwards or suspended in thick resin, pastel strokes, paint splatter - even a layer of dazzling glitter or sugary fine glass becomes apparent. Krovblit’s stunning work has been seen in galleries, museums and juried art fairs across North America, including Toronto, California, New York, Chicago and Miami. He also participated in The California Cool Art Auction 2020 and is looking forward to the 2021 edition at the Laguna Art Museum.