Topanga Canyon Gallery is pleased to present “Plague Punk: Steampunk Goes Viral by Kitonius V Plumii,” aka Kit Plumridge, that opened August 1.
The gallery will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon–5 p.m., for three weeks on August 8, 9, 15, 16. The gallery will stay open later on August 8 to ensure social distancing. This fantastical show will also be shown by appointment.
From the subtropical shores of South Africa’s east coast, to the vibrant shores of the U.S. west coast, Kit Plumridge has managed to create a diverse portfolio that reveals his unique, inter-continental skill set through a variety of media. Discovering his entrepreneurial and artistic talents at a young age, Kit honed his craft over the years, with his passion for sailing and surfing a source of endless inspiration.
His growing years provided a comprehensively eclectic palette, evident even in his more modern steampunk collections. His school days at a traditional Irish Catholic boarding school were interspersed by unforgettable holidays with family spent avoiding sharks in the KwaZulu-Natal surf. Conscripted into the South African army at 18, Kit’s death-defying encounters with a rogue African elephant and a pride of lions further deepened a love for the African wildlife that will forever remain.
At the age of 36, Kit relocated with his family to California, finding a home in Malibu where he has resided the past 27 years. Drawing on inspiration from his African heritage, his family and the natural world, Kit creates vibrant seascape pieces on canvas and wood panels using an austere palette of oils and acrylics. His signature series of brightly-colored lifeguard towers, inspired by Ed Massey, reflect his detailed, complex, often photo-realistic style.
Photos by Rich Schmitt Photography
