A recurring inspiration throughout Griswold’s work is the Dance of Death, or la Danse Macabre, populated with lively skeletons. Examples set by Holbein and Rowlandson are favorites. This medieval allegorical concept of the all-conquering and equalizing power of death is often simply a launching point for complex layers of implied meaning, often framed in a satirical or humorously frenetic presentation.

Obscure rites and mysteries centering on cult figures such as Orpheus, Dionysus, Persephone, Aphrodite, and others recur in Griswold’s works. Fixation with the afterlife and the underworld permeated ancient Greek thought, producing some of the most perplexing imagery. Evoking this complexity without revealing the point where subconscious association departs from art historical and classical references frees the viewer to vicariously participate in the mind altering proceedings.

Epic Homeric poetry and stories of the trials and transformations of Greek heroes provide rich fodder for classical surrealism, often in its darkest form.

An exhibition dedicated to the memory of legendary gallerist and co-founder of Juxtapoz, Greg Escalante, who originally conceived of this exhibition. It was curated by F. Scott Hess and held at sp[a]ce Gallery in Pasadena, California, from February 4 to March 11, 2018. Griswold’s contribution was a small group of oil paintings exhibited with a video installation of his moving picture tableaux.

Special Collections II was a group exhibition wherein artists were invited to create an original cover for a favorite book. Curated by Danny Shain at 515 Gallery, Los Angeles, in August 2025.