VBERKVLT, a.k.a. Justin Bartlett, has developed a style that's equally recognizable as it is versatile. Using layers of minuscule ink and graphite marks, he has applied his interpretations of heavy metal and occult symbology to various trades including music, fashion, and entertainment.

The artist awakens apparitions as ambiguous as those creatures created by Edgar Allen Poe or ideas fostered by Aleister Crowley. The beauty lies within boundless detail, where imagination and cheeky humor conspire. Theology and religion meet strife. Corpses decay. Wolves howl. Creatures spawn and slay. All is ugly and hauntingly inhuman within his realm.

Most profound in music, his album cover art helped reinvent extreme metal's aesthetics and have been selected for worldwide exhibitions. Bartlett's work has also cloaked the pages of Vice Magazine, Revolver, Decibel, Adbusters, and Taschen books.

When daylight falls, the bleak visions and demented creatures sprung from Bartlett's imagination come out to play … It is then that we shall EMBRACE VISUAL HELL.

Recognitions and Appearances

Awards

• "The 15 Greatest Metal Cover Illustrators of All Time", Kerrang Magazine!, International, 2019
• Gold in "Best Advertising, Promo or Information Film" with Anti Design, Visuelt Award, Grafill – The Norwegian Organization for Visual Communication, Norway, 2010
• "Award for Design Excellence in Corporate Identity" with Anti Design, Norwegian Design Council, Norway, 2010
• Silver in "Best Identity Design" with Anti Design, Visuelt Award, Grafill – The Norwegian Organization for Visual Communication, Norway, 2009

Books

• "ALIEN: 40 Years, 40 Artists", Titan Books, 2020
• "Arte Arcana", Heavy Music Artwork, 2018
• "100 Illustrators", Taschen Books, 2014
• "Alternative Movie Posters: Film Art From the Underground", Matthew Chojnacki, Published by Schiffer, 2013
• "Illustration Now! 3", Taschen Books, 2010
• "3x3 Illustration Annual No. 5", 3x3 Magazine, 2009
• "Sideways. A Smart Art Project", Die Gestalten Verlag/The Smart Car/Daimler, 2008

Magazines & Periodicals

• Out of Step Magazine 3, Norway, September 2011
• Testimonium Veritatis #01, Germany, July 2011
• SOMA Magazine 023 and here, Brazil, May 2011
• Zeitgeists Magazine #1, Netherlands, April 2011
• Black Astrial Magazine 008 and here, Poland, March 2011
• Out of Step Magazine 2, Norway, March 2010
• I Love Fake Magazine #15 "Eccentric Issue", Netherlands, November 2009
• Svartkonst Magazine 1 "Occultism", June 2009
• Out of Step Magazine 1, Norway, June 2009
• Terrorizer #184, United Kingdom, June 2009
• Rock Sound #112, United Kingdom, August 2008
• "KVLT? In The Nights I Eat Clits", Norway, June 2008

Selected Web Features & Interviews

• Kerrang! Magazine, 2019
• M3 Event, 2012
• Currentz, 2012
• Cvlt Nation, 2012
• Get Currency/American Express, 2011
• Critical Terrain, 2010
• The Fanzine, 2009
• Crustcake, 2009
• Hammer Smashed Sound, 2008

Selected Gallery Shows & Exhibitions

• "You Will Die, Public Works Gallery, Chicago, IL, USA, November 2019
• "Invocation I", NerdMelt/Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA, USA, November 2012
• "Life and Death in Black and White", DTLA Gallery, Cleveland, OH, USA, November 2012
• "Corpse Corps: Urban Legends", Signal Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, USA, October 2012
• "Screamfest 2012: John Carpenter Tribute", Regal Theatre, Downtown Los Angeles, CA, USA, October 2012
• "Art of the Assassin", DTLA Gallery, Downtown Los Angeles, CA, USA, August 2012
• "All the Colors of the Dark", Awful Nice Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, March 2011
• "Video Violence", Exhumed Films Annual 24 Hour Horror-Thon, Philadephia, Pennsylvania, USA, October 2010
• "Dark Nature", Poppy Sebire Gallery, Camden, London, United Kingdom, October 2010
• "Von Doom", Ever Gold Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA, October 2009
• Out of Step Magazine 2 Release Party, Oslo, Norway, June 2009
• Svartkonst Magazine 1 "Occultism" Release Party, Stockholm, Sweden, June 2009
• Anti Sweden Jeans Opening Exhibition, Oslo, Norway, February 2009
• "13 Nights of Terror", Guerilla art show around San Francisco, California, USA, October 2008
• "Catalyst", FIFTY24SF Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA, September 2008
• Vrengs/Adbusters Norway Release Party, Oslo, Norway, August 2008
• "Creatures of the Night", Supersonic Festival, United Kingdom, July 2008
• "Sideways. A Smart Art Project" Release Exhibition, 7 World Trade Center, New York City, USA, March 2008