ERICH J. MOFFITT
FOOL'S GAMBIT
solo exhibition
Part I: exhibited April 21st - May 16th, 2023
Part II debuts on December 1st and will remain on view through December 31st, 2023
Arch Enemy Arts presents FOOL’S GAMBIT, an exciting exhibition of 32 paintings by Seattle-based artist Erich J. Moffitt. Stylistically rendered atop real, artisanal chess sets, with each painting recreating each of the thirty-two chess pieces from the chess board. Pawns, bishops, rooks, and knights are all recast as classic animal characters, saturated with the same magic, fantasy, and romantic symbolism for which Moffitt’s work is known.
Unique to this series is the surface of Moffitt’s work. Moffitt cleverly uses the object of the chess board for both narrative inspiration and material function, incorporating the very idea behind the series as his physical canvas. Moffitt explains, “This series is all about taking chances and trusting your instincts to guide you. In chess, a fool’s gambit is a high-risk, high-reward strategy. The player’s success relies, in part, on their audacity. In Fool’s Gambit, the characters…work as emotional touchstones, with the game boards acting as metaphors for the viewer’s journey through the heart and mind.”
Erich J. Moffitt grew up in Europe and currently works just outside of Seattle, Washington. He studied Illustration and Art History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and his work has been exhibited and collected worldwide. Arch Enemy Arts is proud to have displayed Moffitt’s work in nearly twenty shows since 2014. FOOL’S GAMBIT marks his second solo feature with the gallery.
To read more about the series in Moffitt's own words, you can find AEA’s exclusive e-interview with the artist HERE.
- written by Candice Musher
Erich J. Moffitt's FOOL'S GAMBIT Part II exhibition will be on view from December 1st - 31st, 2023
Sold works will begin to ship the week after the close of the exhibition, unless other arrangements have been made.
Items marked with a red dot have already been sold.
Payment plans and worldwide shipping are available. Click the purchase inquiry button below for more details.
Fool's Gambit, Part II
new release: on view December 1st - 31st, 2023
"Sun King" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 12" x 12.5" $900 USD
"Light Queen" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 12" x 12.5" $900 USD
"Fountain Rook" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Harp Rook" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Hunter Bishop" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Bell Knight" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Pen Knight" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Wander Bishop" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Scroll Pawn" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 7.25" x 7.5" $400 USD
"Key Pawn" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 7.25" x 7.5" $400 USD
"Yarn Pawn" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 7.25" x 7.5" $400 USD
"Nectar Pawn" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 7" x 7.25" $400 USD
"Mask Pawn" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 7" x 7" $400 USD
"Egg Pawn" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 7" x 7.25" $400 USD
"Wind Pawn" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 7" x 7" $400 USD
"Bloom Pawn" (2023) acrylic on chessboard 7.25" x 7.5" $400 USD
Fool's Gambit, Part I
On view April 21st - May 16th, 2023
"Night Queen" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 12" x 12.25" $900 USD
"Moon King" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 12" x 12.25" $900 USD
"Fisher Bishop" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Coin Knight" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Flame Knight" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Wilder Bishop" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Word Rook" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Time Rook" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 10" x 10.25" $650 USD
"Torch Pawn" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 7' x7.25" $400 USD
"Star Pawn" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 7' x7.25" $400 USD
"Spindle Pawn" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 7' x7.25" $400 USD
"Bow Pawn" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 7' x7.25" $400 USD
"Lantern Pawn" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 7' x7.25" $400 USD
"Hours Pawn" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 7' x7.25" $400 USD
"Dive Pawn" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 7' x7.25" $400 USD
"Bone Pawn" (2023) acrylic on wooden chess board 7' x7.25" $400 USD