Former METALLICA Bassist JASON NEWSTED's Paintings To Be Displayed At 'Rawk' Exhibition In New York

Former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted will debut his first major international exhibition of his contemporary art, titled "Rawk", at the third edition of Art New York at Pier 94, opening Wednesday, May 3, and continuing through Sunday, May 7, to kick off New York Art Week.

This year, Art New York will display the finest work of the modern, post-war and pop eras, and feature paintings, photography, prints, drawings, design and sculpture from masters, including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Willem de Kooning and Ed Ruscha.

"This will be our most exciting year yet," said Katelijne De Backer, director of Art New York. "In addition to high quality blue chip works, we will be offering some truly unique immersive experiences, which promise to engage seasoned and new collectors alike. Art New York will be the perfect launch to New York Art Week, showcasing the most important works from the masters to the emerging artists ready to take fairgoers by storm."

Gary Lichtenstein Editions will show images by famed photographer Bob Gruen and, for the first time, and works by Newsted in the combined exhibition "Rockers Rawk". Gruen's "Rockers" features images of the most legendary musicians, including John Lennon, David Bowie, Debbie Harry and THE ROLLING STONES. Newsted's "Rawk" will be the Grammy Award-winning bassist's artistic debut, featuring paintings and prints. Half of all sales from both artists will be donated to the Perry J. Cohen Foundation, a non-profit devoted to the advancement of the arts, environmental, marine and wildlife education and preservation, teenage entrepreneurship, and boating safety education. On Saturday, May 6, the duo will be on hand for a question and answer session to discuss their careers and latest exhibitions.

Hours And Location

Fair Hours:

Opening VIP Preview: Wednesday, May 3, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Fair: Wednesday, May 3, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m; Thursday - Saturday, May 4 - 6, 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 7, 12:00 p.m. ­ 6:00 p.m.

Location:

Pier 94 (711 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10019)
55th Street at West Side Highway

Tickets:

$40 one-day pass
$75 multi-day pass
$25 students and seniors 62+
$25 Groups of 10 or more
Children under 12: Free

All tickets are valid for admission to Art New York and Context New York.

Jason began painting in 2005, after a series of shoulder injuries and subsequent surgeries left him unable to play his instrument. The work began as a hobby, and it wasn't until a year later that he considered showcasing the results.

"I started out figuring out what techniques would allow me to draw and paint while my arm was in a sling, so I threw things at the canvas using a spatula, with one hand," Newsted told SF Weekly in a 2010 interview. "It was purposeful. I wanted each piece to mean something, and I wanted to paint a picture each day, as a reflection of what I was living and breathing at that time. The mentality was the same as my approach to writing music."

Newsted had an exhibition in San Francisco in 2010 and some of his paintings now go for tens of thousands of dollars. "Most of my work is abstract, mixed-media," he said in a 2013 interview. "Giant pictures about five by ten feet; plastic and acrylic. I also do some sculpture. I have eight or nine hundred pieces since 2004 and have studios in three different cities across the country. Some of my pieces go for maybe $150 for a little picture and some are $40,000 for a giant one. So there's something for everyone." Newsted says he's very influenced by Basquiat, Jean Dubuffet and Picasso. "Those guys are my BLACK SABBATH, MOTÖRHEAD and RUSH of painting," he said.