| Ron Zakrin has been an ever present creative force in Detroit since the mid nineties, when he emerged on to the underground electronic music set with paintings that provided a visual counterpart to the Detroit sound that was taking the world by storm. Since those early days Ron's work has expanded in scope and scale; no longer strictly focused on man and his relationship with technology, Zakrin probes the veins of society, and explores the nature of man, love, and loss. Zakrin lives in Detroit Michigan, where he was born and works daily.
In parallel to his visual art, Zakrin is also a recording artist under the name Goudron, and more recently as part of Detroit "hard disco" band Ze Dark Park. First appearing on the on the legendary Detroit label Ersatz Audio in 2002 with the EP "Horses and Chariots", and an EP and LP in 2004, "Civil Symmetry" and "Raw Voltage", Goudron moved to the equally influential Interdimmensional Transmissions label after the Ersatz label closed shop. 2007 marked the beginning of this new partnership with the release of the EP "Stiletto" on IT.
Zakrin puts his modified circuitry to work along with vintage analog synthesizers to produce a musical journey through the post apocalypse, gliding seamlessly from electropunk anthems at home both on the dancefloor and behind the wheel, to a more introspective and melodic reflection of life, love, and loss.
Having toured throughout North America and performing for enthusiastic crowds on both sides of the border, Goudron has a respectable following in the electronic music audience both in North America and Europe.
Currently Zakrin has joined forces with two Detroit area artists, Ian Clark (Le Car, Perspects), and John Ryan (Spacelings and Bassheads, Dr. Diskodust), to form Detroit's first hard disco supergroup called Ze Dark Park.
Birthplace: Detroit, MI January 16, 1972
Education: Macomb Community College. Associates program, graphic and comercial art.
1992-94
Affiliations: Founding member and President of The Macomb Art Society, a student organization for Macomb Community College students interested in the visual arts. Guest lecturers, field trips, and weekly discussions about the visual arts were the focus of this group. 1992-94.
Sole member of Ghost 200, an experimental electronic performance artist project that relied heavily on home-brew electronics, circuit-bent electronic toys. Ghost 200 was active from 1996-2002.
Sole member or Goudron, performance artist, recording artist, and circuit mangler. Goudron is the second electronic music project for Ron Zakrin, focused like a laserbeam on chunky analog synth rock while showcasing a growing arsenal of circuit bent electronic gear. Goudron has several releases on several record labels, from his first full length on Ersatz Audio to his most recent release on IT. 2002-present.
Current member of Ze Dark Park, a three peice electronic hard disco band with Ian Clark (Le Car, Perspects) and John Ryan (Dr. Disko Dust, Spacelings and bassheads) 2010- present.
Selected Exhibition history:
Urban Park Gallery, "Future Shock", solo exhibition. 508 Monroe, Detroit MI 48214 January 3-February 1, 1997
Park Street Gallery, group exhibition, 29 Park St. West, Windsor Ontario N9A 5T4, November 7, 1997 Curated by Michael Lopez-Mata and Christian Aldo Sfalcin
The Studio Gallery of Robert Maniscalco, "Expressionistic Re-Visions", group exhibition, November 7, 1998 - January 30, 1999. 17329 Mack Ave. Detroit, MI 48224
Detroit Contemporary, "Sight; Sonic" All media group exhibition, November 18, 1998, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd. Detroit MI 48208
Curated by Phaedra Robinson and Aaron Timlin
Foundation Gallery, "Next: a salon exhibition of artists for the next milenium", group exhibition, March 5 - April 3, 1999. David Whitney Building, 1553 Woodward Avenue, Suite 308Detroit, MI 48226
The Studio Gallery of Robert Maniscalco, "Art and Reality", solo exhibition, April 10, - June 9, 1999. 17329 Mack Ave. Detroit, MI 48224
C-pop Gallery "Manual Override", solo exhibition, January - February, 2001. 4160 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201
C-pop Gallery "Hero Worship", solo exhibition, March 2 - 31, 2002. 4160 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201
Galerie Vartai, group exhibition, C-pop/ Detroit Artist in Vilniuas, Lithuainia, 2002
Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, "The Other Auto Show: A Survey of Automobile Culture by Detroit Area Artists, Architects, and Designers. Group exhibition,
Juris Gallery, "Sound of Art", group exhibition, Detroit MI 2005
Curated by Phaedra Robinson
Tangent Gallery, " Parallel Lies", 2 man show with Mark Heggie, 715 E.Milwaukee St. Detroit, MI 48202 March 10 - April 10, 2006
Cass Cafe "Disposable Heroes", solo exhibition, March 7, 2007. Cass, Detroit, MI
Ellen Kayrod Gallery, " 5th Annual Inter-generational community exhibit", group exhibition, Curator: Mary Herbeck June 27 - August 8, 2008. 4750 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201 313 833 1300, x. 18 www.hannan.org.
Art Whino Gallery "Heavy Hitterz", group exhibition, June 26, 2009. 173 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD 20745 www.artwhino.com
Detroit Artist's Market, "Small Show", group exhibition. August 7 - 22, 2009.
323 East Gallery, solo exhibition, September 26, 2009. 323 East 4th st. Royal Oak MI 48047 www.323east.com
Art Basel Miami: "ART WHINO: MIAMI " 4 Day group exhibit during Art Basel Miami by Art Whino. December 3 - 6, 2009. Event Location: Charcoal Studios, 2135 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33127 www.artwhino.com
Art Whino Gallery "The G 40 Art Summit", group exhibition, January, 2010. 173 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD 20745 www.artwhino.com
323 East Gallery, "ClusterFV<k", Solo exhibition, MI September 10, 2010. 323 East 4th st. Royal Oak MI, 48067 www.323east.com
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