“Be blatant- be emotional- risk everything.”
An introduction to Toronto’s engraving street artist legend, Rocky Dobey. | ‘Evidence’ is on at Gagne Contemporary in Toronto from Nov 12 - Dec 5, 2021
When the directions to an art gallery stop at ‘up the lane of Hideaway park’, there is undoubtedly some mystery to uncover there.
The show is ‘Evidence’, showing prints and copper engravings by longstanding street art vigilante Rocky Dobey. John, the curator and gallery owner of Gagne Contemporary, is immediately welcoming and jumps in to tell me about the Toronto legend.
For the last 40 years, Rocky has been installing copper engravings and book-sculptures around the city. An iron worker by trade, there is an inherent comfort with metal and it feels clear that this comes to him naturally. The work holds a mystical quality, some plaques are commemorative and some are symbolic scenes that remind me of tarot or ancient medieval texts with illustrations. The collection presented is a mix of copper plate prints and the copper plates themselves. In every piece what stands out is the attention to detail, whether treating negative space or central elements, there is an honesty and devotion present in Rocky’s process that displays the physical evidence of every little scratch and etching required to build each composition. From flaming buildings, explosive snakes, inverted falling raindrops and clouds filled with swirling arrows of kinetic energy, delicate consideration for everything represented is spread evenly throughout.
While I’m in the gallery, a man walks in and excitedly begins to share his fandom with me about Rocky’s work. “I remember in the 80’s and walking down Queen St and thinking- I wonder if Rocky has put any new pieces up!”
The compelling pull one feels to Rocky’s work is compounded once it becomes clear that the commitment to spread his craft comes from an intimate mission beyond the ego we are so accustomed to finding in the artworld. There was little to no interest in commercial advancement or art world recognition. Dobey was also part of a past print collective called ‘Punch Clock’ in which he worked free of charge to make prints relating to justice reform, supporting humanistic solidarity within the community.
John and I gushed for a while over Rocky’s work. We pondered together on the redemptive quality of Rocky’s focus to spread so many creations of his own volition, sharing curiosities on the collection of life experiences that might bring an individual to create such powerful art founded in genuine convictions and vigilance regarding all lofty claims to authority on anything.
In one piece, a gothic looking dagger is covered in minute lettering and scratched repeatedly with the words: “Be blatant - Be emotional- Risk Everything.” The mantra is carved with a weighted dedication to its significance. Contemplative alchemy takes over the viewer with a renewed vitality to oblige.
Prints for sale are $100 each, a total steal to bring a talisman home with you and an ‘AP’ at that. I feel like I’ve been graced by serendipity and head out satisfied with thank-yous, throwing out “Well, I’m definitely a convert!” The aficionado who had entered previously is chatting with John and as I walk away I hear him laugh and say, “That’s good! Old guys need new fans.”
At this point, I wouldn’t doubt that Rocky has been around forever and will continue to remain ageless.