KRAMPUS: The Devil of Christmas

The Copro Nason Gallery in Los Angeles presents the exhibition KRAMPUS. Curated by Monte Beauchamp, the show features a selection of contemporary painters, illustrators, and sculptors who have explored the eerie creature known as Krampus.

Krampus is one of the most fascinating and unsettling figures of Alpine folklore: half demon, half wild creature, armed with bells, chains, and bundles of birch rods used to punish naughty children. Traditionally, he accompanies Saint Nicholas on the night of December 5th, embodying the dark side of the celebration: while the saint rewards the deserving, Krampus reminds us that every action comes with a price.

With his curved horns, animalistic face, and fierce appearance, Krampus has become a global cultural icon in recent years. His image—charged with symbolism of fear, discipline, and rebellion—has inspired artists, illustrators, and tattooers worldwide. No longer merely the guardian of ancient Alpine traditions, Krampus is now a character that traverses art, publishing, and pop culture, continually reinterpreted in new ways: grotesque, ironic, or stylized.

It is precisely this creature, suspended between myth, darkness, and imagination, that becomes the focus of the exhibition: an archetype that continues to resonate today and to spark contemporary creativity.

“It wasn’t until the 21st century that Krampus truly made his way across the pond and, as National Geographic states, there’s one person you should thank for introducing you to Krampus: Monte Beauchamp of Blab! Magazine. He was the first to publish those images in the United States, initially in his magazine and later in a series of books.” — The Untold Truth Of Krampus, DB Kelly; grunge.com

OVER 50 EXHIBITING ARTISTS INCLUDING:
Shawn Barber, Paul Barnes, Glenn Barr, Jana Brike, Chris Buzelli, Simona Candini, Luke Chueh, CRAWW, Gabi De la Merced, Dos Diablos, Sophie Duez, Mike Egan, Ego, Hannah Flowers, Katie Gamb, Camille Rose Garcia, Mab Graves, Moira Hahn, Naoto Hattori, Brett Herman, Charlie Immer, Stephanie Inagaki, Karikatura, Matthew Kirscht, Kris Kukski, Kristin Kwan, Daniel Landerman, Craig LaRotonda, Vanessa Lemen, Travis Louie, Alexandra Lukaschewitz, Shannon McFarlane, Lourans Mikhail, Dustin Myers, Neirus, Lori Nelson, Nouar, Peca, Sonya Palencia, Helena Reis, Dan Seagrave, Mook Simpson, Bennett Slater, Owen Smith, Juan Soto, Fred Stonehouse, Rob Sussman, David Talbott, David Van Gough, Stefanie Vega, Joe Vaux, Jessica Warwick, Brad Woodfin, Weriem, XNO, Chet Zar & more…

CoproGallery