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The New Contemporary Art Magazine
Illustrator/comic artist Jim Mahfood’s dynamic works carry both an absorbing and kinetic energy. He calls his work "visual funk: a hybrid mix of comix art, graffiti, manga, street art, and funk culture." His work is currently featured in the show “Stacking Pyramids” at Stranger Factory in Albuquerque, N.M. The show kicks off Nov. 3 and runs through Nov. 26.
"Ouroboros" by Lana Crooks
As if the imminent shopping season weren't already scary enough, a new exhibition at the Stranger Factory in Albuquerque is spreading a little holiday cheer with a dash of nightmares. The gallery's annual "Winter Salon" exhibition, now in its fifth installment, has gathered the Circus Posterus collective around the Christmas tree to present a selection of smaller paintings and drawings, and several hand-painted figures that take us back to the Island of Misfit Toys. The exhibit has plenty toy-sized offerings by artists like Max Lehman, Keely Reichman, Chris Ryniak, Carisa Swenson, HF Vol. 32 cover artist Travis Louie, while Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas have collaborated on several scary-cute pieces.
New York based artist Craig LaRotonda creates multimedia works in a unique style reminiscent of Renaissance and Byzantine art. His detailed and layered paintings have a darkness that is matched by his sculptural pieces that look like religious relics. Opening September 4th, he will exhibit a new series of paintings and sculptures in "A Consortium of Lost Souls" at Stranger Factory in New Mexico.
Stan Manoukian Grograou, a native of Paris, France, has always had quite the love for comics, science fiction, and monster movies. From this central passion, Stan has found a way to feed a lifetime fascination for drawing, painting and even sculpting his creatures. At age 15, Stan’s drive took him to the Ecole Estienne in Paris, where he enrolled to pursue becoming a comic book artist. It was here, in his teens that he became inspired by an illustrated edition of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. Stan was immediately turned on by the fact that as an artist it was possible to write comics as well as pay tribute to the classical artists. Stan takes time out give us an exclusive interview about his work, personal life and what inspires him as an artist - after the jump.
Vintage pin-up girl images served as the inspiration for the group exhibit "Peep Show" at Stranger Factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show pays homage to the classic, playfully sexy images with a series of works by Ryan Heshka, Sas Christian, Colin Christian, Jim Mahfood, Brian Ewing, Jasmine Becket-Griffith, Aunia Kahn, Tokyo Jesus, and Brandt Peters. The show comes down on March 1, so take a look at some of the works below or see it in person if you're in the area.
"Their world was soft like melancholy. The conversation was silent. Their faces were small and round, incapable of invoking fear. Once the door was open, nothing could be unseen." This is how Kathie Olivas describes the childlike subjects of her latest exhibition at AFA gallery, "Safe from Tomorrow". The show boasts a series of 20 new paintings and 16 sculptures inspired by early Americana portraiture. The nostalgia felt by her palette and inspiration is constrasted with a concept set in the future.