Exhibitions & Events

April at Stranger Factory: ALL OF EVERYTHING ERASED / Joe Scarano and THE HOUSE AND THE DEVIL / JohnPaul Gutierrez

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This APRIL at STRANGER FACTORY
ALL OF EVERYTHING ERASED / Joe Scarano and THE HOUSE AND THE DEVIL / JohnPaul Gutierrez 
April 5th – April 28th, 2019
Opening Reception: Friday, April 5th from 6-8 PM

Take a break at Stranger Factory and explore All of Everything Erased, a show inspirited through the idea of pausing. Pausing long enough for the grass and the weeds to swallow you up for a while.

Fascinated by the idea of abandoned buildings giving in to nature, Joe Scarano’s characters are brought to life as they fall into varying states of disrepair. As they let the grass grow over them and get swallowed back up by the landscape, the viewer has the pleasure of witnessing and imagining that the will eventually wake up again after the earth has grown around and start over.

Scarano was guided to create this show after recalling memories in an old neighborhood in which his children would seek to explore an abandoned house with him. The title of the show, All of Everything Erased comes from a Kevin Devine song of the same name. Influenced by the paintings, Scarano could not get the song out of his mind and Kevin was kind enough to let him borrow the song title for the show.

Stranger Factory is happy to present JohnPaul Gutierrez in his show, The House and The Devil.

The House and the Devil portrays the many negative voices that we create within ourselves. The Devil is represented not in a religious or spiritual context but simply as the adversary telling lies and creating fear. These voices that we house inside, waking us up in the middle of the night or creating a paralyzing fear, prevent us from achieving our truest self. The House, being a little worn down and weathered seeks to maintain the onslaught, and pushes on in hopes of achieving their dreams.

Gutierrez is an Albuquerque local and returning artist to Stranger Factory.

 

This March: CARNIVAL OF LOST DOLLS III / Jen Musatto and IN DOG WE TRUST / Katherine Walsh

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CARNIVAL OF LOST DOLLS III / Jen Musatto and IN DOG WE TRUST / Katherine Walsh will run from
March 1st – March 31st, 2019
Opening Reception: Friday, March 1st from 6-8 PM

Come one, come all to Carnival of Lost Dolls III! Jen Musatto’s signature style returns to Stranger Factory for her fourth feature exhibition at the gallery! Each unique in their own endearing way, “Them Dollz”, are a line of handcrafted plush dolls that evoke a sometimes melancholy and gloomy image of the fleeting nature of childhood. Where innocence and the longing for companionship take a most unusual form, the playful nature of the doll is born.

Her figures are nostalgic and reminiscent of the sewn faces of characters like the classic commercial ragdolls of her childhood. She finds solace in sewing bits and pieces of fabric together watching limbs, torsos and features come to life.

Stranger Factory is pleased to welcome Katherine Walsh in her second feature show, In Dog We Trust. Join us as Walsh takes us on an exploration of her connection to dogs as protectors, throughout the living world and the afterlife.

Walsh’s take on historical embroidery and appliqué puts a new spin on the traditionally domestic craft. Her non-traditional approach to imagery creates a narrative that is both unexpectedly feminine and feisty.

Circus Posterus / Stranger Factory / 3411 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque NM 87106, United States

David Santiago’s “24k” this February at Stranger Factory

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Stranger Factory is pleased to present a solo show with New Mexican artist, David Santiago!

24k features a body of work that looks back at the viewer. Returning to us with his signature style, David Santiago creates an intimate exploration of one’s own value and inner beauty. The subjects in his show are adorned with 24k gold leaf freckles, toying with the idea of how we view our “blemishes”. With each freckle becoming a star in a constellation, the viewer is reminded that nothing is by accident.

David was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, and spent his early years as a Hawaiian shirt wearing – rolly-back pack pulling superfan of the film Titanic. Eventually, David forsook the former and embraced the latter, becoming a charcoal artist specializing in female portraiture. When not drawing his French girls, he derives inspiration from his southwest surroundings, and influence from his father, a rock sculptor, whose passion for his work bleeds into David’s dedication to his own. A graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, David discovered many of the techniques and mediums he still uses, as well as a love of art, and work ethic that can only be born from architecture school’s rigorous sleep depriving demands during his college tenure. David is the exclusive artist of Tractor Brewing Company, and has shown, and been published nationally.

24K by David Santiago will run from
February 1st – February 24th, 2019

Opening Reception: Friday, February 1st from 6-9 PM

Stranger Factory
3411 Central Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106 

 

MADE IN NEW MEXICO III January 11th – January 27th

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MADE IN NEW MEXICO III
January 11th – January 27th

Stranger Factory is pleased to present our third annual local group exhibition!

Made In New Mexico III is our annual exhibition of new works featuring a diverse group ofMade in New Mexico artists from the Land of Enchantment. Made In New Mexico features local artists from throughout the state. Many of the artists are expected to attend the opening reception on January 11th, from 6-9pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

This year’s participating artists include: Brandt Peters, JohnPaul Gutierrez, Karen Peters, Karl Deuble, Kathie Olivas, Mike Peters, Nicole Sonobe, Pretty.Weird, Rene Palomares, Ryan Singer, Sandi Ray Pierce, Stephan Webb, Weston Brownlee and more!
Opening Reception: Friday, January 11th from 6-9 PM

 

 

 

WINTER SALON VIII this December!

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Stranger Factory is pleased to present our eighth annual group winter exhibition!

Winter Salon finishes the year with a bang! Our small works annual group show is an end of year celebration and one of our most exciting exhibitions, featuring new artwork from many local and international artists. This year’s talented line up promises to provide a variety of enticing alternatives for the upcoming gift-giving season including original illustrations, paintings, sculptures, and plush!

This year’s participating artists include: Allison Bamcat, Angela Oster, Brandt Peters, Bruce Parker, Cassia Harries, Creeptoons, David Santiago, Defective Pudding, droolwool, Fika Art, Genevieve Geer, Joe Scarano, Johnpaul Gutierrez, Junker Jane, Kaitlin Zeismer, Karl Deuble, Kathie Olivas, Katherine Walsh, Nora Thompson, Pretty.Weird, Sad Salesman, Sandi Ray Pierce, Stan Manoukian, Tim Lee and more!
WINTER SALON VIII will run from
December 7th – December 30th, 2018

Phil Noto’s “THE DARKEST STAR” this November at Stranger Factory.

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Phil Noto’s THE DARKEST STAR will run from
November 2nd – December 2nd, 2018

Opening Reception: Friday, November 2nd from 6-9 PM


Stranger Factory is pleased to present The Darkest Star, a solo exhibition in November from one of our most beloved multi-platform artists, Phil Noto!

This show will be featuring Phil Noto’s signature style of painterly and abstracted dream-like portraits, juxtaposed with bold graphic elements and typography. Noto’s master paintings are portraits of future protagonists with secret pasts, drawing us further and further in to his continued narrative.

Phil Noto is an Eisner nominated American painter, comic book/ concept artist who is known for his work on such titles as Black Widow, Jonah Hex, Uncanny X-Force,and most recently Star Wars (Chewbacca and Shattered Empire). After a 10 year career at Disney Feature Animation, he started to work full-time as an artist for Marvel, DC, Image Comics and Dark Horse, and as well, time in gaming working on such blockbuster hits such as Bioshock. Phil Noto has been a prominent featured artist at Stranger Factory since its opening in 2011. This is his 7th featured solo exhibition with the gallery.

New tote and towel from Mizna Wada available now!

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In celebration of her current show “Witch“, Stranger Factory gallery is proud to present two new items from Mizna Wada:

Poltergeist Was Scolded Towel

Medium: Silk-screen on hemmed cotton dish towel
Size: Approx. 17″ x 38″
Edition: 31
Note: Machine washable

Candy Parade Tote

Medium: Silk-screen on 100% cotton grocery tote
Size: Approx. 14″ wide x 17″ tall (with straps) x 7″ deep
Edition: 31

You can pick both up now in the online store here

October 2018: Bewitching VIII and “Witch” from Mizna Wada at Stranger Factory

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October 2018

Annual Group Halloween Exhibition BEWITCHING VIII / Mizna Wada, WITCH will run from
October 5th – 28th, 2018

Stranger Factory is pleased to announce our Halloween group exhibition, Bewitching VIII in our main gallery!

Bewitching is the annual Halloween group show featuring an eclectic group of artists creating their own personal versions of iconic Halloween-related imagery in a wide variety of styles and mediums. Halloween is an incredibly special holiday for Circus Posterus and Stranger Factory, and October is our favorite time of year. We hope you’ll join us for this celebration of all things dark and spooky!

This years participating artists include: Bob Doucette, Brandt Peters, Bruce Parker, Danita Art, Defectivepudding, droolwool, El Dodo Albino, Eric Althin, Genevieve Geer, Jen Musatto, Joe Scarano, Karl Deuble, Katherine Walsh, Kathie Olivas, Katyushka Art Dolls, The Rots (Nora Thompson), Pantovola, Pretty.Weird, Sandi Ray Pierce, Shing Yin Khor, Tim Lee, Weston Brownlee, and more!
Inspired by Classical Horror, Mizna Wada’s Witch takes a play at traditional Halloween motifs. Simple and elegant, Witch explores the world of vampires, Frankenstein monsters, ghosts, creepy old castles, and of course, witches!

Mizna is a Japan-based illustrator. She was born in 1974 in Kumamoto, Japan. She always adored the horror comics and horror movies from her childhood. Her work features a variety of styles including drawing, painting, paper cut, print gocco, and cloth dolls… Through these processes, endearingly creepy yet cute girls are materialized!

Stranger Factory
3411 Central Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-508-3049

September at Stranger Factory with Creeptoons, Fika Art, Sumrow, and Stephan Webb!

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This September
at
STRANGER FACTORY
Creeptoons & Fika Art, BENEATH THE MIRE / Sumrow, DAWN OF THE DOUGHNUTS / Stephan Webb, FRACTURED MINDS will run from
September 7th – 30th, 2018

Opening Reception: Friday, September 7th from 6-9 PM

Beneath the Mire showcases new work from artists Creeptoons and Fika Art. The show explores themes of Good vs. Evil, hidden motives, and what lies beneath. Vibrant vixens with dark secrets and mischievous mutants with sprightly smiles adorn the landscape of Beneath the Mire. Sometimes things aren’t always what they seem…

Creeptoons is the emerging creature brand by Florida based artist Matt Duncan. His 2d illustrative works begin as automatic drawings which develop as big strokes of drippy landscape and ink blotches that transform into dark and mischievous characters hoping to add chaos and misfortune to his apocalyptic landscapes.

Fika Art is a the illustrated brand of emerging artist Stefani Rabideaux. Her colorful 2d works combine elements of darkness and isolation with vivid contrasting tones that are nostalgic of vintage illustration. Her delicate female characters evoke hope and optimism in dark times.

Dawn of the Doughnuts is a show filled with spooks and sweets. Sumrow joins us for his first feature exhibition, bringing along his army of Mr. Jimmies, the Undead Doughnuts, to thrill and fill the gallery with sprinkles and terror.

John Sumrow is an Albuquerque based illustrator. His focus is with fantasy and science fiction. He spent almost two decades as a graphic designer in the higher education industry, switching gears in 2009 to to focus more on his first loves: painting and illustration.

In Fractured Minds, Stephan Webb explores the inner workings of the human psyche and the forces that are imposed on an individual. What affects the behavior and characteristics of an individual? Join Stranger Factory as Webb tries to investigate the mind by displaying various figurative and expressive forms, as well as geometric elements that produce a surreal composition of the human figure, revealing the inner psyche.

Webb, a local Albuquerque favorite, melds biology themes with intricately cast bronze pieces to create meticulously detailed pieces of art. His degree in biology and love for metal working create a thought-provoking narrative that explores evolution, psychology, and process in an expression that leaves viewers intrigued.

All three exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Stranger Factory
3411 Central Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-508-3049

 

Kathie Olivas and Bob Doucette this August at Stranger Factory!

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Stranger Factory Gallery
presents

Afterlife
Solo exhibition of new work by Kathie Olivas in Main Gallery

Tales from Dystopia
Solo exhibition of new work by Bob Doucette!

Afterlife
Solo exhibition of new work in Main Gallery
August 3rd – September 2nd, 2018
Opening reception, August 3, 6-9 pm

Stranger Factory is proud to present AFTERLIFE, a solo show by artist, Kathie Olivas!

Kathie Olivas is an internationally exhibited multi-media artist from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her work explores society’s insatiable desire to assign ‘cuteness’ as a measure for innocence and acceptance; to sooth our inability to accept our discomfort with the unknown. A dark blend of early American portraiture set in post apocalyptic times, Kathie’s mixed media paintings and hand made “toys” are a satirical look at how fear affects our sense of reality. Her characters are meant to evoke a nostalgic reaction that reflects isolation, fear, and an uncertainty, yet they also act as empowered alter egos. Her abstracted cartoon style, reminiscent of vintage story book illustrations and iconic advertising mascots, is meant to disarm our fear of the “other.” While these characters explore their new lonely worlds, they double as our narrators. They guide us through their reality as they experience it and yet, even in their company, we are granted no reassurance.

Tales from Dystopia
Solo exhibition of new work in Main Gallery
August 3rd – September 2nd, 2018
Opening reception, August 3, 6-9 pm

Stranger Factory is proud to present TALES FROM DYSTOPIA, a solo show by artist, Bob Doucette!

As we are living in a new time, people everywhere seem to be highly stressed out over the state of the government and the state of the environment. Bob Doucette is generally a very positive and empathetic person and strives to find the upside to any problem even when experiencing an overall pain in the world. He hopes his work will help relieve some stress, bring a smile to people’s faces to help them forget their troubles for a few minutes; but sometimes, the darkness creeps in when everything in the world points to a Dystopian now.
Both shows will run from 
August 3rd – September 2nd, 2018
Opening reception, August 3, 6-9 pm