“Juicy Steak Moustache,” showcases whimsy, surprise, innovation, and humor through
artworks by Betsy Ruth Byers, Kate Casanova, Kyle Fokken, Josephine A. Geiger,
Joan Malkerson, Dan Mather, Kelly Jean Ohl, Atom Pechman, Patrick Kemal
Pryor, and Karl Unnasch.
All 10 local artists in the exhibit found inspiration in whimsy, though each has his or her
own definition for the word. For artist Atom Pechman, his moustache trophies featured
in the show are a nod (and a wink) to masculinity. “It seems only natural to make trophy
pieces out of an object that seems to already be a trophy,” he says.
Sculptor and collage artist Kate Casanova used idealized imagery and nature to inform
her vibrant collages. And sculptor Kyle Fokken was influenced by the odd design
of turn-of-the-century machinery for his imaginative mash-ups. Joan Malkerson
provides a glimpse of how she plays with paint and color on her artist palettes while Dan
Mather “high fives” us with scraps of slumped glass and clear epoxy.
Inspired by his childhood action figures, Karl Unnasch, created three adult action figures
complete with accessories. Kelly Jean Ohl teases us with her usual touchable clay rattles
by fashioning them into a “don’t touch” sculpture. And Josephine A. Geiger combines
live gold fish with her whimsical fused glass flowers.
Patrick Kemal Pryor’s work, “Elemental Effect” is a departure from his usual swirling
graphic style in an exploration of texture and physical engagement with the paint. Finally,
Betsy Ruth Byers’ abstract landscapes are splashes of color in the midst of our bleak
winter, sure to put a smile on your face.
“With this show and this gallery, I really want people to see that although we’re very
serious about art, we also have fun with what we do,” Gallery owner Anita Sue Kolman
says. “We encouraged the artists to use the opportunity to create whimsical pieces, but
that doesn’t mean they’re silly. Humor isn’t only silly,” she says.
Curator Patrick Kemal Pryor says “the show allows viewers to feel a little
self-indulgent and playful.” Through this exhibit one is able to imagine
themselves doing things that may have been part of one’s childhood such
as cutting out beautiful images from magazine and books; constructing toys
from materials at hand; or putting a goldfish in a flower vase.
All photos are by Dettesnaps.
Please click here to see photos from the show.
Please click here to go to our press page.
