Frank James Moore, was an iconoclastic performance artist, poet and musician who transcended physical limitations to become a beacon of creative liberation and a legend in the San Francisco Bay area counterculture of the 1970s and beyond.
Born in 1946 with cerebral palsy, Moore’s journey in the art world unfolded against the backdrop of his unique physical condition, unable to walk or talk. Despite these challenges, Moore’s artistic vision soared across mediums, encompassing performance art, music, oil paintings, digital art, and the groundbreaking internet television show, “Shaman’s Den.”
Moore’s oil paintings were visceral expressions of emotion, characterized by bold strokes and vibrant colors that seemed to pulse with life. His digital art, a testament to his embrace of technology, pushed the boundaries of visual expression, revealing the depths of his imagination through intricate digital landscapes.
Despite acclaim for his work, Moore faced controversy in the early 1990s when his art became entangled in a political firestorm over government funding for controversial artworks deemed “obscene” by Conservatives like Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.). Moore, however, remained steadfast in his commitment to artistic freedom and self-expression.
However, it was “Shaman’s Den” (1998-2013) that solidified Moore’s legacy as a trailblazer in the art world. Launched in the early 2000s, the show provided a platform for Moore to communicate his unique perspective to a global audience. Through “Shaman’s Den,” Moore combined performance art, interviews, and interactive experiences to challenge societal norms and ignite conversations about the transformative power of art.
Moore described it as a show that “will arouse, inspire, move, threaten you, not with sound bites, but with a two-hour (usually longer) feast of live streaming video. You might get an in-studio concert of bands from around the world…or poetry reading…or an in-depth conversation about politics, art, music, and LIFE with extremely dangerous people! But then you may see beautiful women naked dancing erotically. You never know, because you are in The Shaman’s Den with Frank Moore.” Video and audio archives of all of these “Shaman’s Den” shows are now available on The SCREW Channel, exclusively on Roku. (Add it free!)
Frank Moore’s legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and unyielding creativity. His life and work continue to inspire artists and audiences alike, reminding us all of the boundless possibilities of the human spirit in the pursuit of artistic expression and social change.
—SM
This week’s featured art is a digital painting entitled “Linda & Frank” by Frank Moore. You can discover more about Frank Moore and his art on his official website, “Frank Moore’s Web of All Possibilities” at www.eroplay.com.
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