Salem Satanic Temple To Exhibit Artwork Painted In Blood

SALEM, MA – Vincent Castiglia, the artist known for painting with human blood, will display a selection of paintings, limited editions, and sculptures at The Satantic Temple's Salem Art Gallery on Bridge Street.

The exhibition, Sanguine Spring, to open on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m., was curated around the Roman view of February as a time of purification and honoring ancestors. According to a news release, observances like Lupercalia, Parentalia, and Feralia were accompanied by bloodletting, purging, and opulent celebrations. "Castiglia's art, created with human blood, embodies personal, emotional, and creative purification and purging oneself into one's art."

"As a long-time fan of Mr. Castiglia's art, I'm honored that The Satanic Temple's Salem Art Gallery will now host a selection of his original works – which deftly blend horror and wonder, disfigurement and beauty – for a limited exhibition," said Lucien Greaves, cofounder and spokesperson for the temple. "The scale, detail and living quality of his works must be experienced to be understood, and I feel that The Satanic Temple is the perfect environment for this uniquely unrepentant visceral aesthetic event."

The news release notes that Castiglia doesn't identify as a Satanist, "but rather understands the aims of the Temple as a progressive ideology with a positive message and intent aimed at healing particular social ills." Castiglia has previously told the BBC that the blood he uses is his own.

For more information, visit the Salem Art Gallery website.

Image via Salem Art Gallery