Laval, Bp
In the secluded heartland of artistic expression, nestled within the embrace of a desert haven known as “The Love Farm,” a singular narrative unfolds- a narrative brought to life by the enigmatic brush of the visionary artist, Bp Laval. Amidst the sprawling landscape and the whispering winds that echo across the valley, Laval invites us to an immersive exploration of his world, a world he has aptly christened the “Rodeo Dance Club.”
At the center of Laval's artistic universe are the one-eyed, one-legged cowgirls and boys who hang out at The Love Farm. These figures are as mysterious as they are intriguing, resembling sentries from another dimension. In their bizarre yet oddly relatable existence, they function as metaphors for the tumultuous times we find ourselves in—a world characterized by cultish fervor, alienation, the often eerie allure of fanaticism, and a longing for a utopian escape. Yet, above all, they are Cowgirls and Cowboys, basking in the kaleidoscopic tapestry of The Love Farm, reveling in the joyous chaos of existence.
A recurring motif within Laval's oeuvre is the flying boot—an image perhaps inspired by the poignant lyrics of Townes Van Zandt's "Flyin Shoes." These symbolic objects take on a life of their own, imbued with a sense of mystery and whimsy. The boot becomes the visual foundation of Laval's imaginary friends, guardians of his solitary existence on The Love Farm. The cowgirls and boys epitomize the contradictions inherent in our collective experience- the yearning for a better world, the attraction of the unfamiliar, we are reminded of the otherness that defines our own existence.