Exquisite Corpse

Exquisite Corpse regarding artwork is usually 3 artists each assigned either "head," "torso," or "legs" (aka Top - Middle - Bottom). The works are created individually and independently of each other with the artists only receiving guidelines from each other for where to place the top and/or bottom of their piece so it connects with the other two in the correct spots to form a whole "body."

So the "head person" sends the measured points at which the head or neck stops to the torso person to show where the top of the torso should be and the "torso person" sends the measured points where the bottom of the torso stops to the "legs person" to show where the top of the legs should be.

But most importantly the fun comes from no one knowing what the others will draw and the final result when these three random images are placed together to form an EXQUISITE CORPSE!

To date, I've collaborated on 3 exquisite corpse pieces with some amazing artists. All three of these pieces were exhibited in group shows curated by Eric Brandon at Toy Room Gallery and Archival Framing , both in Sacramento, CA.

The first was me on these legs (click below images to see them larger):

Molly Crabapple did an amazing head:

And when Anne Gregory inserted a beautifully dramatic torso, the result was:

My next gig was TORSO! I was sandwiched in between the wonderful works of

David Fremont above and Eric White below. The result:

My chance to do a HEAD arrived. I left behind the ink pens and the paper and the 3 of us linked up canvases. I did this chap with acrylic:

Melanie Bown was on torso and John Fortes provided legs. Another corpse was born:

Here's some photos from one of the exhibitions. The energy and talent that went into illuminating the gallery is clearly visible! And it's great to see examples of amazing 3D Exquisite Corpses as well (again, be sure to click on the photos to see stuff better).