Lowbrow art exhibit makes its debut

The Island Now

The Huntington Arts Council will present Bright Colors Bold Strokes, Creations of Lowbrow Art with an opening reception on Friday, March 29, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street in Huntington. This is a free event and all are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit will be on view until May 4. 

The Arts Council invited artists to submit work inspired by lowbrow art. Lowbrow started as an underground visual art movement that arose in the Los Angeles area in the late 1970s. It is a populist art movement with its cultural roots in underground comix, punk music, tiki culture, and hot-rod cultures of the street. It is also often known by the name pop surrealism. It continues its rich history with such publications as Juxtopose, Hi-Fuctose, and Carpazine. Lowbrow art often has a sense of humor — sometimes the humor is gleeful, sometimes impish, and sometimes it is a sarcastic comment.

Many of the creators of lowbrow art are influenced by acid house flyers, advertising, animated cartoons, circus and sideshow culture, graffiti and street art, kitsch, kustom kulture, mail art, pop culture, psychedelic art, retro Illustration, pulp magazine art, toys for adults, notably vinyl figurines, among many other things.

The following artists were accepted into the show: Stephen Bitel, Jeffrey Bohman, Fernando Carpaneda, Jon Duci, Melissa Eder, Phyllis Gildston, Jan Guarino, Rotraud Hansen, Drew Kane, Andrew Maillard, Arlene McLoughlin, Lucienne Mettam, John Micheals, Kasmira Mohanty, Norm Morales, Eric Murphy, Matt Myers, Eileen Palmer, Ellen Paul, Ratgrrl, Anne Rotondo, Coleen Ryan-Rivera, Bob Stuhmer, Toxic/Nature Studios, Marie Winn and Stephen Wyler.

“The range of styles and materials used by the entries was vast,” said juror Benjamin Owens.  “Several works stood out, making the pieces fit, even when they’ve been bent. I look forward to seeing the work up close. Art is always best enjoyed… and judged in person.”

Huntington Arts Council Executive Director Marc Courtade described the show as “a great example of the range of opportunities we are offering the artists in the community. Inspiring new and exciting exhibitions representing a wide array of skill levels and genres. This is a terrific show. Please join us for the opening.” 

Owens has worked collaboratively and individually on a variety of interdisciplinary projects. He has been featured in Juxtopose magazine and received numerous awards, including from Mark Ryden, Robert Williams and Jonathan Levine. He is a former gilding specialist for the world famous Sotheby’s auction house. He is also an established illustrator who has done work for Zoo York Skateboards, Blue Point Brewery, Mickey Hart and numerous others. He has worked as a creative director who designed packaging for many of Americas’ favorite craft breweries. He is currently employed as a VP of marketing, creating carious advertising campaigns. Owens work can currently be seen at Muneca Art House in Patchogue. He will also have a solo exhibition there which opens in April.

 

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