“In this respect, our townsfolk were like everybody else, wrapped up in themselves; in other words, they were humanists: they disbelieved in pestilences. A pestilence isn't a thing made to man's measure; therefore we tell ourselves that pestilence is a mere bogy of the mind, a bad dream that will pass away. But it doesn't always pass away and, from one bad dream to another, it is men who pass away, and the humanists first of all, because they have taken no precautions.”
― Albert Camus, The Plague
A List of exhibitions at Java, Cambodia.
2019 Counterfeit Narratives, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2018 Anemoia, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2015 The Disappearance, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2014 Horror Vacui, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2013 This Dog Barking, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2011 Love, Lust and Loathing, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2010 Joe Odd, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2009 A Dark Corridor, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2008 A Chinese Mystery, Closet Gallery, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2008 Mystique of the Orient, Java Creative Cafe, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Death of a Pornographer Interview with Vincent Alexander & Nicolas C Grey
What appealed to you about the Death of a Pornographer idea?
Nic: I meet Vincent (the author) through my friend James - who wrote This Dog Barking - The Strange Story of UG Krishnamurti. He is his brother. Although I don’t know him as well as James, I always enjoyed his company and his laconic sense of humour. The three of us, in our pasts, have had our problems with addiction. Though no laughing matter, it’s undeniable there are some good stories surrounding that lifestyle.
Vincent worked in Soho for many years. He didn’t talk about it all that much as I think it was fairly traumatic for him, but he would occasionally share anecdotes about his time working in the sex shops . They were mostly funny, in a tragic kind of way. My father (also an artist - Stephen Grey) grew up in Soho and I had been around that area , but unless you are involved in that sex and gangster scene , it’s a closed world, so, it was both interesting and revealing at the same time.
At first, i thought the book maybe just a collection of these anecdotes, that would have been fine, but it became clear that Vincent had a story to tell that went deeper than just some funny stories. I had no idea how the book would go, but as it developed i felt Vincent had managed to convey something almost spiritual in the story , transcendent. And in that context, in that place , with those characters, I found it quite remarkable. It’s almost like he has managed to create a feeling between the words , I’m not sure how it works . So, while I was initially attracted to just the idea of giving people a peek into this closed world , it became something else . It has kept all the humour but has this whole other mysterious layer added, which I hadn’t expected.
Visually and artistically I was ambivalent about it. On the plus side , I knew I would get to draw lots of depressed looking people, and for whatever reason, most people I draw end up looking depressed, on the down side , it’s set in a real place , so that involves drawing real buildings and real streets and that was , I knew , going to be a challenge for me .
What about you, Vince, why did you write the book?
Vin: I wanted to tell a story about the decline of Soho. From what it once was, to what it is now. From a place i loved, full of life & character, to just another overpriced faceless place, &,knowing Nic & his work, couldn't think of anyone better to show this through his art.
How did you start working in the Adult Entertainment business – was it something you always wanted to do ?
Vin: No, it wasn’t something that i’d ever thought about. I’d moved to London after a few disastrous house moves & jobs transfers elsewhere around England. From Oxford I ended up in East London after a successful rescue mission by my brother. I started with good intentions – got a job in Bow working 12 hour shifts in a factory – it was awful – but kept it up until set off for my shift one day – turned around on the way there & decided ‘no’ –& headed back home – spent next few months living on , I don’t know what. But had to get a job. Applied to an agency for a job as a binman. Got it. But turned up late & had missed it. The agency guy told to me to hang about & asked ‘have you done retail?’ I said ‘yes’ & he sent me to a shop in Soho. Didn’t know it was a sex shop. I was turned away initially by the owner, he didn’t think I was right. But someone came running out to say I was. Took me back in.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE…….
R CRUMB letter and RIP Gary Leib
When I was a young man , in the early 80s, my friend Ben and I published an underground comic called watermelon. It’s hard to remember the timing of cultural developments , but I think it was just before zines took of in a big way, as we had to use a real printer that made metal plates ect . I guess it was the 90s when there was this , what I would describe, as a 2nd wave of underground comics . Before that , I had read zap comics, and a few others . Robert Crumb, like a lot of people, was a favorite of mine . His style of drawing had an accessibility that was combined with a very psychedelic sensibility. When the comics of the 90s appeared , there was a lot of great works . They were cheap ( ish ) beautiful works of art , my favorite was weirdo, stickboy, idiotland , trailer trash , eightball , Ed the happy clown . I didn’t really know who these people where , and it never seemed to matter . I never got into the nitty gritty of comics , I didn’t read the comics journal , ect , I just liked the comics themselves. I liked them more than any artwork you could see at the beautiful art galleries in London. I liked that there was no real hierarchy I could figure out .
After some time, I had a great deal of personal problems, ending in drug addiction, homelessness, prison , stuff like that , and I kinda lost touch with most things like that . I would read a lot ( I compulsively stole books ) I would switch between crime novels , philosophy, and esoteric literature. I would read these books on the street corner with a sign that read , I will draw anything for any amount of money you like . I mostly got a lot of freaks wanting me to draw bizarre sex fantasies, or themselves as being a rich rock star. I didn’t get that many customers. I looked a mess , mostly people would just drop some spare change in the paper cup I had placed in front of me .
Eventually I cleaned up , and through a series of totally unexpected and somewhat troubling circumstances, I ended up having to move to Cambodia. I sold all those great comics and books I had stored here and there , and with a few 100 bucks moved to Phnom Penh. It was to be near my daughter, who was only a little kid at the time. It was the only way I would be able to see her as she grew up , be around for her .
I managed to survive as an “ artist “ in Cambodia, somehow. That was around 16 years ago now . In Cambodia, I completely lost touch with any cultural developments in the west . From what I could figure out , comics had become a big thing, and , well , it was all graphic novels now . Some of the comics I read , the artists , I guess , had become a big deal . I wasn’t really sure . When I started my own underground comic again here , headache , I , somehow having acquired his Address , wrote crumb a letter , asking if I could reprint some of his stuff.
I had never worked out where I fit into to anything, where in any hierarchy I was , I always assumed, no where . Of no significance. I was ok with that . Maybe that why I thought I could write one of the most famous cartoonist in the world of underground comics a letter , I don’t know. Anyway, he wrote a few back , and , indeed did allow me to reprint his drawings. He is , apparently, quite well known for being very generous with his support of artists. A nice quality I think. I share one of his letters here , because, I know people find him interesting.
On another note , I heard Gary lieb died . He did a comic book I loved , called idiotland , back in the 90s. I know nothing about the guy , but that comic was great.
Yes , I know , people die all the time, and it’s sad for those that loved them,and it’s kinda odd to single out people you have never meet or know nothing about, but , I have a idiotland framed on my wall with a few other comics. So, I glad he did them, I grateful for him for that . Who knows what it all means.
witch-pricker by Tangerine Press
Witch-pricker aka "Garjian Haingel"
One-off 'chapbook journal' of new writing.
Volume two, issue four in an ongoing series.
Other issues: Counterfeit Crank, Judas-hole, Quincunx, Scare-devil, Schizzo, Turpin's Cave, Fool-saint.
Contributors: James Kelman, Claudia Bierschenk, Karina Bush, Billy Childish, Benjamin Myers, Melissa Lee Houghton, Hosho McCreesh, Fred Voss, Costas Despiniadis, Natasha Dennerstein, John Dorsey, Michelle Storer, Mather Schneider, Christian Livermore, Anna Wall, Brian McGettrick, plus new artwork by Nicolas Grey & James Farley
comically unfit cartoonist and friends attempt a run for charity…
i will be doing 10km solidarity Run on March 13th 2021 to help those in need. if you want to chip in some money you can donate to several places, both in Cambodia, and the UK. ( see below ) Thanks everyone.
i will be joined by Mark (New runner a bit fat) and JY (One foot Man), and other people…
you can donate to Friends-International ( see the above video..)
or. …2 local NGOs Buddhism for health and Samaki Kampot. ( see video below)
This is in solidarity with Alex Brean, who is doing this run in a park in the UK…..
click on the picture to find his link…but this is what he says..
‘‘My story
Hey! I am raising money for a charity 10K I am doing around the local field on the 12th March. This lockdown has got me thinking about the impact this pandemic has had on us all, in particular how this pandemic has continued to exacerbate inequality in society and how this has led to increased pressure and demand on charities providing vital services to those in need.
I couldn’t decide on just one charity to fundraise for so have decided to split however much I can raise between three. These include;
1.Trussell Trust Food Bank - This charity to provides a vital service to the wider community providing over 1,200 food bank services across the UK. Between October and December alone there was predicted to be a 61% increase in demand for food parcels. This equates to 51,606 more food parcels been given out in this period alone.
2. Refuge Domestic Abuse Charity - Provides an invaluable service for women, children and men who are experiencing domestic violence. Some of the services they offer include emergency temporary accommodation for those fleeing abuse, support outreach programs, child support workers and a helpline which operates 24/7. In the first lockdown there was a 80% increase in calls made to the charities hotline.
3. Albert Kennedy Trust - Supporting young LGBTQ+ people aged 16-25 in the UK who are experiencing homeless or living in a hostile environment. They do this by providing emergency accommodation, mentor support, access to life skill training and support networks as well as a helpline. The pandemic has seen a much higher number of referrals than the same period last year, due to some young LGBTQ+ people's living situations becoming hostile due to lockdowns or finding themselves homeless due to family rejection.
As you can see there is a real need for support of these charities, so any donations are so greatly appreciated. ‘‘
To donate to friends Friends-International , you can donate directly to this bank account…
or click on the link below…
“Hopefully, it wouldn’t kill me. Thanks everyone and have a nice day”
Life Sucks..a short history.
Years ago, someone asked me if I had any cartoons I would contribute to this magazine they were starting. They would pay $20 a cartoon or something, it was one of those free magazines, about what to do in the city , so, mostly filled with ads, but, I guess they were desperate for any kind of content, which is why the asked me.
When I was maybe in my early 20s, I did think , very briefly, about doing a short cartoon strip , the type you used to find in newspapers. I guess I thought, maybe I could make some money, who knows, anyhow, I did 3 , and called it life sucks, then kinda gave up on the idea . So, when I was asked if I had any ideas, I pitched them 2, and drew up some samples . One was called “ those crazy gurus “, that my friend James had written, which was just a short and sometimes slightly humorous bit of text about various gurus , that I would illustrate. The other idea was to resurrect the life sucks idea, so, I did a few of them. In the end, they went will the guru pitch, so, for a while I did those , until the magazine folded after about a year . For some reason, I found I enjoyed doing the life sucks . I has always slightly struggled with that format , but one of my favorite comics of the 80s/ early 90s, was Doug Allen’s Steven . I loved that comic, and that was presented in this format.
I have never done work with an audience in mind . I most definitely have never thought that the world needs to see my artwork, I have always viewed it as an almost neurotic impulse, a private thing, some kind of compulsive behavior. However, I do artwork that is sometimes shown in small galleries, sometimes cartoons that have appeared in magazines and comics, and, I have self published comics of and on since I was a kid. But, with life sucks, i really didn’t think anyone would ever see them, and that made drawing them much more enjoyable, I felt I could take the story wherever it wanted to go, and, it was almost like it wrote itself half the time .
The “ story “ is centered around this cartoon bear, that is kind haplessly stumbling around while bad things happen all around him. He goes into different universes, some of them inside his own head, until you never really know where he is or what is going on. None of it really makes any sense, but I try to keep the internal logic consistent ,even in the mess of the absurd.
It blurs the line between the external world and the internal world, between the past and the future, and the kinda unconscious quality of the bear , who just haplessly accepts whatever reality is being imposed on him at any given moment. Somehow, the story ends up pretty much summing up how I feel about reality in ways I cant really fully articulate in any other way. The story can go on forever, I make it all up as I go along, but it has an endless quality it it. They are all signed by someone else because, I guess, I felt like no one needed to know who drew them, I mean, who cares right ?
Im planning on publishing a comic of the strips so far, when i can raise the money. maybe ill do a go fund me campaign, if i can figure out how that stuff works, but, ill do it somehow.
Original LIFE SUCKS idea drawn in the 90,s
doug allens steven comic
THE PROGRAM
For many years I was a drug addict. It was a pretty dark time .
I was homeless, in jail , it wasn’t glamorous.
It negativity effected all my relationships, I blocked me creatively. I don’t write about it much .
I got clean over 15 years ago.
I attended NA meeting for years and still have a huge gratitude for all the people i meet and helped me in those first 3 or 4 years.
I wasn’t in good circumstances, I was living in a crack House with my ex wife and her crazy crack head boyfriend in east London. Everyday I would get on a train to west London and go to as many meetings as I could , hanging out on the street or in cafes between meetings . I detoxed going to meetings, so, I was noticeably a complete mess . The amount of legal drugs I was on where the toughest , methodone, anti psychotics , benzodiazepines, ect , and every night I would go home to the crack house and stay in my room. I don’t think I slept for about 2 or 3 months straight, I probably did , but it seemed like I didn’t .
These drawings are over some of the leaflets that were around. It shows where my head was at the time i guess .
Watermelon comix
““The Enterprise Allowance Scheme was a product of the Thatcher Government in the 1980s which continued into the 1990s. It gave a small income to would be entrepreneurs to start their own business. Watermelon, a comic based in Brighton, was one such enterprise. The Welfare State in the UK has enabled many musicians, artists and writers to survive in times of high unemployment and a lack of market for their talents. Watermelon explored the kind of twilight world of Psychedelia and psychosis that was typified in the US by Philip K Dick. The best stories (by Nicolas C Grey, 1968-) have an artless style that is a style. There is a kind of graphomania at work here. The entrepreneurialism encouraged by the government found its apotheosis in Acid House; in the drug-dealings and Pay Parties.
Nicolas C Grey,
Cover of Watermelon #6,
36 x 21 cm,
Having spent time in both prison and mental institutions he now lives in Cambodia, where his work is appreciated for its ‘ghost-world’ qualities. His recent work is very much influenced by the region’s politics and culture. ‘‘
exert from a book on Psychedelic Art by Thomas Taylor
HELP…….
He just appeared one day, as everyone did, on the wing.
You never knew what they would be like, but everyone sizes them up, to try take a guess.
He was a slight man, unassuming.
Clean.
No threat, no problem.
After a while it became clear he didn't speak English. I assumed he was one of those folks that just got dumped in prison by immigration, left to wait for the “”powers that be “”to decide his fate.
Most waited a long time.
It was about 2 weeks in, when the trouble started.
He just wouldn't do as he was told. The officers thought that shouting orders in a very loud voice would somehow bridge the language divide. He only knew one word…””help””. it was funny at first, when they wanted him to go back to the cell, to see them almost chase after him, shouting at him, as he just wandered around saying “”help””, in his quiet voice. He would disappear occasionally, taken to solitary, then be back again. He never uttered any other word, never raised his voice.
He drove them mad.
They just didn't know what to do, violence, threats, all this they handled with an ease verging on enjoyment. Thinking back, it was one of the finest displays of disobedience to authority I have ever seen. I don’t know what happened to him, when I was released, he was still there. I caught his eye once, and with a very slight smile, almost imperceptible, he quietly said “”help””, then walked away.
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS/END OF THE YEAR/BLACK HOLE OF CONSUMPTION OFFER
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS/END OF THE YEAR/BLACK HOLE OF CONSUMPTION OFFER
Order Headache #4 and get Headache #3 for 50% off.
15€ (plus shipping)!
THIS AD IS SPONSORED BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER
Around 2000 years ago , at the time of the fourth industrial revolution, things were not looking good. The previous industrial revolutions has created a world based on infinite growth, the exploitation of labor, war, and a necessary veneer of propaganda and consumerism, creating an uniquely confused and alienated population.
By the time of the fourth industrial revolution things had began to get weirder. The world was mostly run by technological monopolies that hardly anyone understood . Because of the years of exploitation of the natural world, a collapse of some kind seems inevitable . Wealth inequality has become so vast it became difficult to hide under veneers of Democratic platitudes.
The elites became understandably worried that the situation would become unstable, so, enacted a vast conspiracy. With the help of the newest technology and propaganda, they managed to inject the worlds population with a seemingly benign chemical, that really contained nano technologies that could neurologically alter peoples perceptions of reality.
That was when the first domed pleasure cities where built , fully protected from the increasingly uninhabitable earth. The general population were now no more than slaves , but , thanks to the nano technology implanted in there DNA, they would imagine themselves to be living a life of freedom, or any configuration the elites choose for them .
As the years went by , the elites passed their time in the domed pleasure cities indulging in altering their brain chemicals to induce all the pleasures they could possibly imagine, while everyone else toiled in the toxic wastelands , mining for the last of the precious minerals needed to keep the domed cities computer systems running. But, as generations passed, they no longer thought of themselves of elites , they were just people. And their domed cities, once of source of such pleasure and pride , had for some, began to feel like domed prisons . They were bored . They could see, on the huge monitors displayed in most public areas as a form of entertainment, what the slave population outside looked like , and how they lived . Ugly , short ,brutish lives , with thick leather like skin , often ravaged with disease. The domed city dwellers bodies had changed as well , taller, lacking in muscle, smaller jaws and an almost androgynous look, big heads , they had an almost alien look .
Eventually , it had become a pastime to hack into the neurological programming of the slave people, and experience life as they imagined they lived it . Though confusing, the Slave people still imagined they inhabited a world long since gone . They had contact distractions, strange forms of entertainment, emotions not designed solely to maximize pleasure, but , difficult conflicting emotions and experiences. The elites had taken to tweaking the slave populations reality when they were bored , and there were endless variations, rerunning various scenarios of what the past could of been , amused at all the variety and reactions their simulations could induce . The more rebellious had taken to hacking inside their reality, and living out their virtual simulated lives, as they seemed more interesting than the now dull familiar cycle of living in their perfect pleasure domes. Occasionally, they would cut the cord , and , even though they knew they really were living in the now toxic pain filled world outside the dome , at least they could experience the neurological programming in a more authentic way .
In one of the billions of simultaneous, people would entertain themselves by drawing and trying to sell weird comics books ,trying to make social commentary on a totally fictitious world, a thought that the elite hackers inhabiting the slave race found both ironic, humorous, and , philosophically puzzling. You are now living in this particular simulation, you imagine it’s the end of the year 2020, and , in this world, the latest comic book has been published. It was always such a fringe interest, there were always only a very small print run , but , if you are curious, here it is . Headache no.4…..