People who operate on the fringes of society have always held a fascination for artist Rick McQuaid.
It is that fascination that led him to his most recent, and what looks to be his most popular, series of work.
“I find local history interesting and am fascinated by extreme characters — people who operate outside of what is considered to be normal society,” McQuaid said.
The Purple Gang, a loosely organized collection of Jewish immigrants that ruled Detroit’s underworld in the late 1920s and early ’30s, fit that bill.
The gang was to Detroit what Al Capone and his gang were to Chicago.
Its murderous reputation made members suspects in everything from Chicago’s St. Valentine Day’s Massacre to the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh’s baby.
Bootlegging, prostitution, gambling and drug dealing were some of the group’s pastimes.
During its blood-soaked reign, it was linked to about 500 murders.
McQuaid, of Dearborn Heights, was inspired to immortalize the legendary gangsters on canvas after coming across vintage mug shots in the book “Detroit’s Infamous Purple Gang” by Paul Kavieff.
McQuaid’s depictions are color cartoon versions of the black-and-white police photos.
He chose his first three subjects by doing a cross section of the gang members.
Finally, he settled on Abe Bernstein, who led the gang with his three brothers, mid-level lieutenant Harry Fleisher and street thug Sam “The Gorilla” Davis.
“Davis was so weird-looking, I had to include him,” he said.
“I liked the photo of Harry Fleisher because he looked like he had been slapped around by the police before his mug shot.”
Fleisher was one of three gunmen responsible for the infamous Collingwood Manor massacre, which led to the group’s ultimate demise.
According to history, he was a charming psychopath with a hands-on work ethic.
Davis, known for his odd-looking appearance, disappeared after escaping from the Ionia State Reformatory for the Criminally Insane.
“I want people to know that the Purple Gang are prime examples of the ‘banality of evil’ concept,” McQuaid said.
“Evil people don't look like monsters, they tend to be someone you would pass on the street without a second look.”
While the portraits are “cartoon” versions of police mug shots, McQuaid said he hopes to show the “bland soulless eyes of someone who considers murder to be just part of another day’s work.”
The three pieces were sold shortly after going on display at Biddle Gallery in Wyandotte, and McQuaid now is working on a second trio of portraits.
“There is a remarkable amount of interest in these gangsters,” he said.
“The second set I am now working on is going to go fast. It looks like I am going to be making these for a while.”
Each mixed media Purple Gang portrait is 7-inches-by-10-inches and sells for $100.
McQuaid is one of the local art scene’s true eccentrics, according to Biddle Gallery owner Karen Thomas.
“His work wanders over a peculiar range of artistic styles, everything from melancholy ink drawings with a punk flavor to Dada-inspired irreverent anti-art,” Thomas said.
His portrait of British punk rock legend Wreckless Eric was purchased by the artist himself this year.
McQuaid’s work will be available while it lasts at Biddle Gallery, 2840 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte. For more information, call the gallery at 1-734-281-4779.
Bootlegging, prostitution, gambling and drug dealing were some of the group’s pastimes.
During its blood-soaked reign, it was linked to about 500 murders.
McQuaid, of Dearborn Heights, was inspired to immortalize the legendary gangsters on canvas after coming across vintage mug shots in the book “Detroit’s Infamous Purple Gang” by Paul Kavieff.
McQuaid’s depictions are color cartoon versions of the black-and-white police photos.
He chose his first three subjects by doing a cross section of the gang members.
Finally, he settled on Abe Bernstein, who led the gang with his three brothers, mid-level lieutenant Harry Fleisher and street thug Sam “The Gorilla” Davis.
“Davis was so weird-looking, I had to include him,” he said.
“I liked the photo of Harry Fleisher because he looked like he had been slapped around by the police before his mug shot.”
Fleisher was one of three gunmen responsible for the infamous Collingwood Manor massacre, which led to the group’s ultimate demise.
According to history, he was a charming psychopath with a hands-on work ethic.
Davis, known for his odd-looking appearance, disappeared after escaping from the Ionia State Reformatory for the Criminally Insane.
“I want people to know that the Purple Gang are prime examples of the ‘banality of evil’ concept,” McQuaid said.
“Evil people don't look like monsters, they tend to be someone you would pass on the street without a second look.”
While the portraits are “cartoon” versions of police mug shots, McQuaid said he hopes to show the “bland soulless eyes of someone who considers murder to be just part of another day’s work.”
The three pieces were sold shortly after going on display at Biddle Gallery in Wyandotte, and McQuaid now is working on a second trio of portraits.
“There is a remarkable amount of interest in these gangsters,” he said.
“The second set I am now working on is going to go fast. It looks like I am going to be making these for a while.”
Each mixed media Purple Gang portrait is 7-inches-by-10-inches and sells for $100.
McQuaid is one of the local art scene’s true eccentrics, according to Biddle Gallery owner Karen Thomas.
“His work wanders over a peculiar range of artistic styles, everything from melancholy ink drawings with a punk flavor to Dada-inspired irreverent anti-art,” Thomas said.
His portrait of British punk rock legend Wreckless Eric was purchased by the artist himself this year.
McQuaid’s work will be available while it lasts at Biddle Gallery, 2840 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte. For more information, call the gallery at 1-734-281-4779.
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