30 Mexican Cave Frogs and a Dog called Serge

Although from Germany, René von Boch would be the first to acknowledge the weighty influence of Americana in his work, name-checking the art of Andrew Wyeth, Norman Rockwell and prominent comic book artists as early inspirations.
As a developing painter, he unashamedly embraced their principles of masterly composition and technique – where artistry forms the foundation of everything.
However, it's here the influences stopped and the world of René von Boch took over.
The idealistic, sometimes sentimentalised subject matters so typical of Americana have been replaced by surreal configurations, racy observations and freeform imaginings, all of which give the work in his new exhibition at The Mojo Gallery a delightfully unpredictable integrity and a unique voice of its own.
The storytelling in each work is evident, but the tales are anything but linear or one-dimensional. Unlikely heroes, disconnected objects, unearthly settings and even written phrases punctuate and his work like metaphysical firecrackers.
Yet, for all the intense playfulness, one thing comes through the art of René von Boch above all else – the artist's innate love and talent for painting.
It's achingly apparent and completely irresistible.