The Cellar Raises The Dead

Allison Hadley Photos

Romei.

It was a cold Saturday afternoon when they started shuffling in, limbs held stiffly, in small groups. They pushed the door open to the Cellar on Treadwell. There was no escape. That’s right: it was Drawn of the Dead night for It’s Alive,” a new art show running at the Hamden music club through the end of the month that’s fit for guys and ghouls.

Throwing off their jackets and layers against the cold air, the Cellar patrons sat down in groups and grabbed drinks while artist Joe Romei — @joeghoulart on Instagram, for those tuning in at home — buzzed about in the corner by the bar, mounting the last few works of his installation. 

Featuring pen, pencil, and striking glow-in-the-dark and UV reactive neon, Romei’s works rendered the walls of the Cellar on Treadwell a gallery of horrors, with zombies, creatures, and well-known characters from pulp and horror splattered across the walls. Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13th fame and a grotesque Homer Simpson faced off near disproportionate frogs and reptiles; movie posters and comic stills stared out at the wall as blankly as any George A. Romero monster.

Romei, who works as a screen printer by day in Branford, professed a lifelong love for comics and the grim art of horror. I’ve been drawing since I was a teen,” he said, putting up a meticulously shaded rendition of a movie poster for the cult classic Blood Freak, a parable against drug use that involves a large mutant turkey. I’ve always been interested in what horror says about us,” he said.

Romei is a traditionalist when it comes to zombies. My favorite zombie film is probably the original: George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead,” he said. The comic style of his work blends well with the film, recalling the bold fonts and grotesque imagery of pulp novels and 1950s horror posters, all jagged lines and aghast letterhead. Originally from Alabama, Romei migrated to the Nutmeg State in 2016 for work and a more intentional artistic community, and he’s been furiously drawing the whole time.

I spend a lot of time in the studio, so sometimes I forget about this part of being an artist,” Romei said, referring to putting up the show. But it’s great to do this!” 

Romei was thrilled to be able to install at the Cellar on Treadwell. I like the vibe here, and the underground atmosphere,” he said, indicating the leather-and-back-patch clad room. His own studded leather jacket lay in the corner. He was delighted to greet friends and well-wishers among the steadily growing crowd.

The centerpiece of Romei’s show is the large cover panel of his own nascent comic book series, Bloodlust. It depicts a blankly staring man holding a shovel towering over a prone woman in a recently dug grave, the blackwork in the forest makes the subjects stand out all the more. With characters like The Ghoul and Lady Ravenmane, the comic looks to scratch the itches of any horror and comic fan.

In addition to artwork on the wall, Romei has a mask depicting an alien invader, small prints for $5 and $10, stickers, and magnets. Most intriguing, for $20, Romei would executive a live-drawn zombified portrait of the buyer. For journalism, this reporter became subject.

Romei worked furiously, looking up periodically, starting first with pencil and then moving on to more permanent mediums, totally engaged with the art before him. It was a strange feeling to be observed after being the observer. Romei paused for a moment.

Would you like to be a blue zombie or a green zombie?” he asked.

A traditionalist, I opted for green. After a few moments, Romei handed over a delightful and decaying rendition of my resurrected self, staring blankly and scabbily into the universe.

Romei smiled and greeted a friend and her young children, who dispassionately surveyed the art on the walls.

This one looks scary,” said one girl, pointing at a grinning skull dotted with blood that bore a striking resemblance to our 45th president.

Well,” said the mother, it’s OK for things to be scary. If it’s art on the wall, you know it’s safe, and it helps you feel the things inside you in a safe way.”

Romei nodded encouragingly. Scary things aren’t bad. They just help us see what’s inside ourselves!”

The girl, seemingly convinced, stared for a few more moments before shifting to examining the Simpsons trading card Romei was handing to each visitor to the show. Another horror fan in the making.

It’s Alive” haunts the walls of The Cellar on Treadwell through the end of the month. Visit The Cellar’s Facebook page for hours and events happening at the club.

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