By Spencer Robinson
Generally speaking, monsters and inner demons are not my normal cup of tea however “Cute and Creepy”, held at the Dedo Maranaville gallery this year at Valdosta State University was truly a memorable and perspective-changing moment for myself. To begin the occasion, the show was opened by the curator Carrie Ann Baade, who also happens to be one of the seven featured artists featured in the show. Ms. Baade’s very presence was rather peculiar at first, much of the audience taking notice to her stunning black Cruella Deville styled costume. Nonetheless Baade gave insight to the all of the artists: Kelly Bohemer, Lori Field, Laurie Hogin, Jessica Joslin, Chris Mars, Chet Zar, and Carrie Ann Baade, each of whom has their own style, technique, and inner demons that influenced their artwork.
“We need Monsters in our lives… We like to fear them, to run hiding under the covers or clenching a lover’s arm until the monster is destroyed or banished to far off lands. They are wonderful like that, refusing to ever completely disappear from our lives, affording us the opportunity for self- introspection if we take a moment to recognize that monsters don’t die because they are essentially us.”
– Nancy Hightower, author of the original Cute & Creepy Catalog Essay
Baade’s pieces were among the largest of the gallery. Naturally standing out due to size and orientation, Baade’s painting attracted crowds of people like a magnet. Specifically, Baade had one piece to me that really stood out: St. Rage, Oil on panel. Baade references of Neoclassic and beast-like creatures put a unique spin on all of her artwork.
There were also other pieces like Chet Zar’s who focused more on presentation oppose to subject of the artwork. Each of Zar’s paintings were decorated in an elegant frame carved with skulls, bones, and horns. Unfortunately, the most memorable subject in regards to Zar’s paintings would have to be the beautiful decorated borders of his painting, The Dark Menace.
Moving forward the most skillful artist in the show in my opinion is Chris Mars. Each and every single one of Mars paintings are absolutely marvelous. The attention to detail was nearly perfect not an inch of imperfection could be noticed. The images of monsters and creatures are painted so well that they almost appear to be graphics that were digitally drawn. The imagination of Mars is very similar to Tim Burton’s style of art, leaving room for the viewer to wonder for him or herself.
Laurie Hogin painting incorporated the theme of animals. One of the animals that is repeated in several of her pieces is the rabbits. However, in the case that rabbits are typically viewed as cute soft creatures, this is not the scenario for Hogin’s art. Sugar Trilogy 1: Tricks, on oil paint captures the scene of a demonically posed bunny sitting next to a bowl of vibrantly colored candy. This painting was comical and odd at the same time.
Like Baade there were other large installation pieces in the showcase. Artist Kelly Boehmer’s ‘Puppy’ was constructed of fabrics and materials that were sewn and glued upon each other. Though Boehmer’s pieces were not the most pleasant thing to view, one could definitely appreciate the time and dedication that it took the artist to put the material together to create a giant dog-like creature.
After observation of the show, I started to do my own self-reflections as an artist and a person as well. In self-examination of myself and everything I thought my artwork stood for, I realized that I have my own demons and fears that I must face, and that I shouldn’t be afraid to address them, but rather embrace them for what they are. This show helped me to realize that it is okay to be different. That in our difference we find the very thing that makes us unique from one another.
Spencer Robinson is a senior Fine Art: Graphic Designer majoring at Valdosta State University.