A Unique Journey of Baba Yaga by Sam Parker (PHOTOS)

Ever heard of the tale of Baba Yaga? The old witch hag from the forest, living in a house that rested on chicken legs, kidnapping small children who dared to cross her path? The brave saying "turn your back to the forest, turn your face to me?" Does any of that ring a bell?!

Well, here it is (or at least at the Melvin Gallery from now til mid-February), the Russian folklore and its concept practically laid out for folks to explore in a series of paintings and sculptures created by tattooist/graffiti artist/man of awesome eye Sam Parker in an exhibition titled "The Old Crone's Horn." This is the type of gallery exhibition that'll make you put away your Twitter!

He not only resurrects the hundreds-old Baba Yaga, but integrates her "yielding personality" - her rarely seen yet dutiful soft side - with today's unyielding desire for a Jones-like lifestyle.  Parker forces an examination of the dualityof the witch's conscious: kidnapping and eating kids, yet if the kids do as she says she'll let them go. In so many ways through his sculptures he brings out a variety of old-school, conservative appearances, especially with his houses. Through his old and new paintings Parker translates the houses into modern time, from being overwhelmed by electronics to sitting on people legs with high heels on, and some houses battle each other in a have's vs. have-not's fashion.

(Though a dope graf, this is not new for Melvin Gallery. Click here for its making)

Parker left his little signature marks here and there, including graffiti-inspired figures and Hebrew letters and symbols, which both tie into his upbringing and Jewish household. Although folks can catch him at his mainstay Memorial Tattoo, he's also known for some ill ass graffiti. He decided to die it down a bit after doing his thing since '95. "I was running from the police after some bombing, and here I am covered in mud thinking 'I am 30. What the fuck am I doing?!'" No shade to the old heads still doing their thing, though we did share a laugh over those who choose to steal aerosol despite being more than able to afford the cans.

He mentioned he is in the process of "decompartmentalizing" his ability to bounce back and forth between graffiti-style art and traditional artwork, plus his tattooing. Much of that process is laced throughout the gallery, bringing this hardcore, punk-looking take on an old-time folktale. It'll have folks reconsidering their perception of old hags like Baba Yaga, and definitely re-examining their internal battles of "keeping up with the Jones's."