Zelda Dungeon Spotlight: “Artifacts of Hyrule” Art Exhibit & Gallery
Posted on January 26 2024 by Alexandria Weber
Although The Legend of Zelda is one of the most beloved franchises in pop culture, representation in the real-world is often limited to the occasional merchandise sighting or Nintendo-endorsed event. Although too shy to actually say anything, I often get excited when I see someone wearing a baseball cap with a Triforce or a T-shirt with the Hylian Crest. It’s a phenomenon that turns strangers into comrades in arms. This is why the prospect of a fan-curated public Zelda art gallery was exciting; such an event provided the unique opportunity to walk amongst the creativity of Zelda fans.
Displayed as a collection of tributary works, “Artifacts of Hyrule: A Legend of Zelda Tribute Show” was a pop-up art exhibit hosted by the Los Angeles, CA-based Gallery1988 late last year. Opening on December 1st and on display for the following few days, the exhibit featured 22 pieces of art by 16 uniquely talented artists. The show was attended by two of our staff members, and thanks to curator Jacub Gagnon and the permission of the artists involved, we’ve been able to replicate a digital version of the gallery for art-lovers and Zelda fans across the globe.
From the heart of Los Angeles to your shining computer screen, here are the pieces of art featured in the real-life gallery “Artifacts of Hyrule,” as well as a little insight into some of the artists’ processes. All quotes were collected directly from the artist via email correspondence, unless stated otherwise.
“Hello My Nameis Link” by Luke Chueh
We begin our showcase with this charming piece by Luke Chueh, which draws upon one of the Zelda series’ longest-standing misconceptions. How many times have we had to correct those who call series hero Link by the wrong name?
“The painting was created with acrylic paint on compressed wood panel”, says Chueh, “and was inspired the painting ‘I’m Not Zelda’ by Super Emo Friends. There isn’t any deeper meaning to the painting. I just wanted to have fun and create a fun image that most people who grew up with the franchise could empathize with. As a child, when I first played The Legend of Zelda, I thought it was odd that I wasn’t playing as the titular character.”
You can find more of Chueh’s art on their Instagram, and be sure to check out their website here.
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art is right here.
“Forest Dweller” by Bumblebeelovesyou
Artist Bumblebeelovesyou captures the fantastical whimsey of the Zelda series with their piece, calling to mind classic titles like The Minish Cap and Link’s Awakening.
This piece was created with acrylic, marker, and ink on assembled coventry rag, and it was inspired by The Legend of Zelda. You can find Bumblebeelovesyou on Instagram and Facebook, as well as their website, where they express the following:
“In all my work, I try to keep the childhood spirit alive. People grow up too fast… In my work I want to help people remember, even if just for a second, what it was like when to bee a kid again.”
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art is right here.
“You Found Weed!” and “No, Rupees Down!” by Timothy Doyle
Timothy Doyle had two works on display at “Artifacts of Hyrule,” both putting a clever spin on creatures encountered in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The pun “Lynel Hutz” strikes the funny bone so hard that it makes us want to see an entire series mashing up Zelda monsters with Simpsons characters.
“These are hand-drawn, and digitally colored,” explains Doyle. “I’m almost 47 years old, and have been playing Zelda games since the original one hit my NES in 1986. Jacub was a follower of my work, and reached out to me. I already had those silly ideas “Lynel Hutz” and the “Weed Korok” kicking around, so it gave me an excuse to make mini prints of them. I don’t even smoke weed, but when I was talking to my staff a while back, I was trying to come up with the dumbest jokes about Zelda possible, and the weed Korok came to mind. And I’m a big The Simpsons nerd, so the Lynel Hutz was just an extension of that.”
You can find more by Doyle on Instagram, as well as his website, where you can buy prints like this gorgeous Temple of Time art!
Both pieces of art have their own Gallery1988 listing, with “You Found Weed!” here and “No, Rupees Down!” here.
“Hyrule Heroine” by Camilla d’Errico
The beauty and personality of our favorite princess is captured perfectly here by Camilla d’Errico. “Hyrule Heroine” was one of the few pieces from the show presented in black and white, and it really demonstrates a mastery over light, shadow, and depth.
This piece was created with graphite on paper and was inspired by Breath of the Wild. You can find Camilla on Facebook and Instagram, as well as their website.
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art is right here.
“Multi-Link” by Nathan Guilfoyle
We were very lucky to have witnessed Nathan Guilfoyle’s piece up close and in person, as we could really take in the various media used to create it while standing on the gallery floor. Spotting familiar pieces promotional art, comics, and game guides amongst the whole was such a fulfilling experience.
Guilfoyle is “a multi-media collage artist.” “All of my materials come from paper,” they say when describing their process, which in the end amounted to about 30 layers of paper.
“I wanted to use an image of Link that I really liked that was less designed and more resembled the humble character I used to use on my 8-bit Zelda as a kid, but a bit more modern. I then started researching and finding images from all the versions of the game(s), so that many forms could be presented, but also started using images from other characters, and game guides, as those were such a cool thing when I was a kid. The idea that you could get a little help and some clues about special areas and features you could unlock. Once I had all my imagery I needed, I began with a background that encompassed many forms of Zelda, their characters, and symbols that are meaningful to the game. I think added the central image, and combined lots and lots of layers to bring the image to life, focusing on all areas of the game, and again meaningful characters and imagery to support the process.”
“I purchased a few pieces of artwork from Jacub a few years ago, as I have always been a fan of his work and loved these small birds in whiskey glasses. Later, we connected on social media and I commissioned him to do a piece for me. Since that time, we have been friends online, and he has been following my artwork, which he enjoys and regularly comments on. Jacub told me he was curating a show, and informed me it was a Zelda tribute show, and asked if I wanted to be a part of it. As a kid, I spent endless hours playing the original Zelda game on the Nintendo. I can remember the gold shiny game in all its glory reflecting light on top of my TV, and it was one of the few games that you could truly get lost in. My sister and I would stay up all night, eating popcorn, avoiding enemies on the screen, chasing gems and artifacts, and imagining what the real-life scenarios would look like in our world. I have always loved the game and although I have not played many of the versions, still love the lure of the world of Zelda, and the characters. I was excited to create something that showed the depth of the character and many iterations of its form.”
Guilfoyle’s art is on display at Senet Game Bar in Tigard, Oregon, and you can see what they’re up to online by following their Instagram.
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art is right here.
“Korok!” by Cody Jimenez
We were immediately struck by the mood of Cody Jimenez’s piece, as the cool colors and soft details come together to present a Korok with more melancholy than we’re used to. The piece invites a lot of contemplation.
This piece was created with oil on linen wrapped panel and was inspired by Tears of the Kingdom. You can find Jimenez on Facebook and Instagram, as well as their website.
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art is right here.
“A Link to The Past” by Sketchy Eddie
Sketchy Eddie’s piece was hit within the Zelda Dungeon writers’ room, with team members, based on images of the gallery alone, being blown away by the detail on display and the number of Zelda games represented. Seeing the piece up close added additional layers of amazement though, as we could even more clearly see the impressive craftsmanship present in the physical work.
“My artistic journey predominantly unfolds within the digital realms or procreate,” says Sketchy Eddie. “It’s my go-to tool. Although I started with traditional sketches, I’ve gradually shifted to creating directly in the app. My approach is somewhat unconventional largely because I’m self-taught. Ideas often begin as spontaneous doodles, evolving organically without preplanned sketches. I think of my art as a vast puzzle. Each section leads intuitively to the next. This approach is particularly evident in my renditions of pop culture icons, where I enjoy embedding myriad of hidden details and characters though each piece.”
“My passion of drawing ignited in childhood, inspired by my brother’s love for coloring books. Observing his disappointment in running out of pages, I started creating new ones for him. This led me to experiment mixing elements from different books, blending various cartoon and movie characters , and even incorporating Halloween themes. Over time this evolved to a world of ideas, forming a unique catalog, so to speak. Later my experiences with psychedelics introduced me to mesmerizing organic shapes and vibrant colors which poured into the mix, giving birth to the style I have today. As an artist, I believe in preserving the child-like wonder we often lose as adults. The perspective drives my creative process, leading me to craft pieces that echo my childhood memories. There is a unique charm in nostalgia; it rekindles the youthful spark within me, keeping the flame of imagination alive in my work.”
You can follow Sketchy Eddie here on Instagram, and you can check out their Facebook community here.
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art is right here.
“Triforce and Chill” by Ken Flewellyn
Even royalty needs to unwind now and again, as clearly demonstrated in Ken Flewellyn’s classy piece. We were really taken with all the different textures depicted here, including the reflective glass and the flowing fabrics.
This piece was created with oil on wood panel and was inspired by Skyward Sword. You can find Flewellyn on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), as well as their website.
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art is right here.
“A Dubious Dish” and “Majora’s Bounty” by Jacub Gagnon
Jacob Gagnon, who was also the curator of the event, had on display two pieces celebrating Zelda‘s culinary legacy. Dubious Food may not be appetizing in Breath of the Wild, but both of these two works, thanks to Gagnon’s striking use of color and contrast, appear absolutely scrumptious.
“All of my work is meticulously painted by hand with acrylic paint on stretched canvas,” shares Gagnon. “My process starts with some loose sketches. I knew that I wanted to paint food from the game so I actually took pictures right from my TV screen to reference. Since a lot of the food from the game is based off of real food, I then found each item’s real-life counterpart to further get a sense of realism. I start by drawing on the canvas and then switch to paint, building up layers with more definition until I get really saturated colours. The hardest part of the piece was trying to imagine Majora’s Mask upside down. To do this I actually found a 3D model online and was able to manipulate it into the position that I wanted. From there it was just a lot of time blending the details and having fun!”
“I’ve loved The Legend of Zelda as far back as I can remember and it all started with the original title on NES. Each subsequent game told a similar story but reinvented it in a completely different and compelling way. My main piece for the show, ‘Majora’s Bounty’ came about because my son and I were recently playing through Tears of the Kingdom. Sharing this experience with him became a highlight of our evenings and we spent many days talking about and drawing things from the game. One of the aspects about the newer games that is more entertaining than you would imagine is the cooking! I’m not sure if it’s the catchy music or collecting of highly sought-after ingredients but there was something quite enjoyable and even therapeutic about making food in the game! My son, of course, being 6 years old, took great pleasure in using my best ingredients to make fun combinations and sometimes completely dubious abominations. This simple mechanic brought us much laughter and pleasure. I wanted to capture that into my paintings. Just as each Zelda game approaches things from a different angle, I decided to focus on this charming feature, rather than the traditional Link and Zelda characters, as the centrepiece. Pun intended. In this piece you find my bounty of the most prized food items in the iconic Majora’s Mask (which was one of our main goals to collect within the game).”
Gagnon is on Instagram and Facebook, and he has a website where he shares and sells prints of his work.
Both pieces of art have their own Gallery1988 listing, with “A Dubious Dish” here and “Majora’s Bounty” here.
“Ya-Ha-Ha” by Kristin Tercek
Another piece we were really glad to see in person was “Ya-Ha-Ha” by Kristin Tercek, also known as Cuddly Rigor Mortis. The charming image of a Korok on a wood panel makes all the sense in the world, and it was intensely pleasing to look at up close.
“I always paint with acrylics on a wood panel,” says Tercek. “I gather reference materials, everything from leaves to tree stump photos, as well as looking at game play. Then, I sketch the piece out with color in procreate on an iPad, transfer it to my panel, and start painting!”
“Jacub invited me to participate and honestly, I am not that familiar with Zelda. He showed me some Koroks and I was so inspired! Thanks to Jacub!”
Tercek can be found on Instagram and Facebook, and they have an online shop here!
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art is right here.
“Always with You”, “Evening in Hyrule Field”, and “Full Hearts” by Kyria Smith (Wolf and Bear)
The charming and inviting style of Kyria Smith (of the creative duo known as Wolf and Bear) was on full display with her three pieces. “Always With You,” which was inspired by Tears of the Kingdom and Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, proved to be one of the more popular works for those attending the gallery, catching the eye of anyone who passed by.
“I used Arteza gouache paint on Canson XL watercolor paper for these pieces,” shares Smith. “I used my preferred brand of gouache brushes from Etchr Lab, and I also used Arteza detail brushes for small details.”
“My process usually starts with a moment of inspiration (most often while doing something completely unrelated to art…I can rarely force it to happen when I’m in the studio). Once I get the itch, I start planning my piece and digitally laying out elements in Photoshop. I then use a light board to roughly trace the general shapes of the piece to get a feel for the overall composition, before cleaning everything up and redrawing/adding all the details. This allows me get through the composition process without leaving lots of messy eraser marks and quickly move on to inking or painting, which is the part I really enjoy. I then add color with gouache, blocking out light areas first, and then adding shadowed areas. I like to work with a mix of blocked colors and blended areas, depending on what feels good for a particular piece. Highlights come next, and I finish with bold outlines on characters (big fan of comicking styles).”
“Artwork has always been a way for me to process my obsessions with things or further explore my current interests. I was anticipating the release of Tears of the Kingdom last spring and felt almost driven to create a little series of Zelda-inspired pieces. I spent about four weeks listening almost exclusively to Zelda soundtracks while painting various scenes and characters and it was an incredibly satisfying way to live in that world for a little while. That’s what art is for me. A way to escape into other worlds for a moment. Style-wise, I’ve been wanting to explore gouache technique more as I’m relatively new to the medium, and I was really inspired by Studio Ghibli scenery. I wanted to try to capture some of the whimsy and beauty I find in their landscapes. This is particularly true for ‘Evening in Hyrule Field.'”
“I had so much fun creating these pieces because I love the world of Zelda, but fan art isn’t actually primarily what I do. Working on these pieces has inspired me to continue working in this gouache style to develop a fantasy world of my own full of rich landscapes and vibrant original characters. I can’t wait to spend time in this new world through my art, just as I was able to live in Hyrule for a little while through these pieces.”
Smith has a website here and can be found on Instagram and Facebook.
Each piece of art has their own Gallery1988 listing, with “Always With You” here, “Evening In Hyrule Field” here, and “Full Hearts” here.
“Blupee” and “Summon The Lord Of The Mountain” by Miss Kitty
Miss Kitty’s two pieces take mythical inspirations from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, depicting a Blupee and the Satori Mountain pond, respectively. Miss Kitty’s use of light is something to marvel at, as rays of light frame the Blupee in the first piece and as sunlight reflects in the water in the second.
The first piece was created with graphite on grey cotton paper, and the second piece was created watercolor, colored pencil and acrylic on cotton watercolor paper. Both are inspired by Tears of the Kingdom.
Both pieces of art have their own Gallery1988 listing, with “Blupee” here and “Summon the lord of the mountain” here.
“All My Life” by Casey Weldon
The colors of Casey Weldon’s piece really pop, as the bright red hues of Zelda’s face and the floating hearts contrast against the cool blues of the background. It all comes together so gorgeously that we could stare at it for hours.
“I used golden acrylic paints on a birch panel for this piece,” Weldon states, “as I do with most of my processes. I usually sketch something out very roughly on paper first, then collect as much photo references as I can and create a kind of photo collage in photoshop, then I create a final sketch in Procreate on the iPad from that sketch and the references. Then I paint! It was just a lot of fun to do. I used to do a whole lot of pop culture-related work but rarely do anymore, so I had a good time getting back into that mode.”
“I have to admit, my memories of Zelda are mostly attached to the first game on the NES, and the heart graphics illustrating the life you have left in that game are so iconic that I really wanted to incorporate those somehow. I play a lot with light in my work, so it was fun to use those as the lightsource.”
Be sure to follow Weldon on Instagram to see their work as it’s released!
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art can be found right here.
“It’s Dangerous to Go Alone” and “Adventure Stories” by Stephen Andrade
Stephen Andrade provides a pulp novel approach with their two pieces, as a classic moment from the first Legend of Zelda is reimagined as classic adventure serial cover art. We really appreciate how the details of “Adventure Stories,” from the text to the simulated wear-and-tear around the edges, make the piece feel authentically vintage.
This piece was created with giclee on matte paper and was inspired by The Legend of Zelda. Andrade has a website, as well as an Instagram.
The Gallery1988 listing for these pieces of art can be found here and here.
“Boko Greetings” by Catherine Moore
Catherine Moore really captures the playful energy of Tears of the Kingdom‘s Bokoblins with her piece. We were about ready to give the baddie a hug… before we saw all the Fire Fruit and the explosive barrel beside it.
“I most often paint with oils and I made no exception here,” shares Moore. “This particular painting is oil on a cradled wood panel. My process entails doing a bunch of research and finding a lot of photo references that can help me craft the piece. I wanted the boko to be in a friendly or happy-looking position so I did a bunch of drawings based on different screen-shots until I came up with something I liked. Same goes for the background and supporting images. It was important for me to have the treasure chest in there as well as some of the wonderful fruits that can be wielded as weapons. Once my sketch is finalized, I transfer it to my support and start painting. I build up layers bit by bit until done!”
“I’ve been immersed in the world of Tears of the Kingdom since it launched back in May. I’ve been purposefully taking it slow so I can draw it out and get every ounce of the game that I can. I love the Bokoblin designs particularly in Breath of the Wild and their upgrades in Tears of the Kingdom. I find them cute: murderous, adorable creatures. I absolutely HAD to paint one for this show! Bokoblins are perhaps misunderstood creatures who may prefer to be left alone to eat their giant roasts and fish in peace without having some Hylian come pilfer their camps every so often. Further study may be warranted.”
Moore has a website right here, as well as a social media presence on Instagram and Threads.
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art can be found right here.
“Press B” by Eman Raharno Jeman
We conclude our showcase with this adorable piece by Eman Raharno Jeman. Inspired by Link’s Awakening, “Press B” looks like a still from the Zelda cartoon we wish existed. It’s so cute!
“The artwork is painted using acrylic paints,” says Jeman. “The creative process starts from a digital sketch, where I can compose and frame the subject matter at its best. Afterwards, I carefully choose the colours, using different combinations until satisfactory. The next process is to transfer the sketch onto a canvas, prepare the colours and start painting. The concept of ‘Press B’ also ties down with the creative process of digital and traditional methods, like how Zelda, a classic video game, have been with us until this modern technological day.”
“The artwork ‘Press B’ was inspired by the video game Link’s Awakening. And pressing B is the most used button in swinging the sword or attacking an enemy. Therefore, the artwork has Link drawing his sword.”
Jeman goes by clogtwo on Instagram and is the Co-founder and Creative Director of Ink and Clog.
The Gallery1988 listing for this piece of art can be found right here.
“Artifacts of Hyrule” was a pop-up show curated by Jacub Gagnon, with a physical gallery in Los Angeles, CA in early December. Some of the works / prints are still for sale for varying prices from the virtual exhibit on Gallery1988’s website right here.
What do you think? Which piece is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Gallery1988
This article contains contributions by Rod Lloyd.
Alexandria Weber is a Senior Editor and an aspiring creative writer. Her favorite food is apple pie and she loves her cat Galadriel. Ask her for pictures!
