Stranger Factory

Stranger Factory presents two new exhibitions in June: TOY MAKERS OF PLANET EARTH II, and Ken Keirns’ ALREADY YESTERDAY

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Stranger Factory presents two new exhibitions in June: TOY MAKERS OF PLANET EARTH II, and Ken Keirns’ ALREADY YESTERDAY

Toy Makers of Planet Earth II
Group exhibition of new work in Main Gallery
June 1 – July 1, 2018
Opening reception, June 1, 6-9 pm

Circus Posterus and Stranger Factory are proud to present our upcoming toy art group exhibition, “Toy Makers of Planet Earth” opening this June. This invitational art exhibition will feature top independent contemporary toy artists, narrative artists inspired by toys, character makers, and independent toy companies from all over the world under one roof at Stranger Factory Gallery.

Over 2 dozen artists include: Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Aya Kakeda, Cassia Harries, Art Toy Maison, El Dodo Albino, Eric Althin, Junker Jane, Katy Bos, Mark Nagata, Mizna Wada, “Mudmonkey” Simon Boses, Scott Radke, Silk & Thistle, Steve Ferrera, Sumrow, Leslie Levings, Jermaine Rogers, Javier Jimenez, Josh Herbolsheimer, Pantovola, Amber Phillips, Weston Brownlee, droolwool, Bob Doucette, Kristina Drake

Already Yesterday
A solo exhibition of new works by Ken Kierns
June 1- July 1, 2018
Opening reception, June 1, 6-9 pm
Ken Keirns is a Midwestern oil painter. After spending the last decade living in Chicago and California,he recently settled in Colorado where he paints full time and looks forward to the winter. While his primary medium is oil, he also enjoys creating sculptures and mixed-media pieces. His subject matter includes female portraiture and anthropomorphic creatures interlaced with personal experiences, dreams, and the occasional bad pun. Ken’s formal education is in graphic design and, while he has taken a few formal painting classes, is mostly self-taught. Ken’s artwork has been acquired by collectors across the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has been featured in publications including Spectrum, Catapult, and Hi-Fructose.

Both exhibitions run JUNE 1 – July 1, 2018
Opening reception, June 1, 6-9 pm

Sandi Ray Pierce, FOREVER, NEVERMORE / Otto Bjornik, FLORA & FAUNA / Jellykoe, I’M YOUR WEIRD FRIEND will run from May 4th – 27th, 2018

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Sandi Ray Pierce, FOREVER, NEVERMORE / Otto Bjornik, FLORA & FAUNA / Jellykoe, I’M YOUR WEIRD FRIEND will run from
May 4th – 27th, 2018

Opening Reception: Friday, May 4th from 6-9 PM
In her first solo exhibition at Stranger Factory, local artist Sandi Ray Pierce will be featuring a series of her iconic pen and ink and mixed media works on paper. As a self taught artist, she is heavily inspired by the local lowbrow culture of tattoo graphics, Dia De Los Muertos, and the rich typography and visuals of historic Route 66. Pierce contrasts themes of death and rebirth with the fleeting beauty of youth. She incorporates vintage floral art nouveau and graphics reminiscent of old rock and roll gig posters. Her love of the southwest and attention to detail in her meticulous cross hatching and stippling creates a nostalgic interpretation of life and death in the land of enchantment.
Artist and toy designer Otto Bjornik will be exhibiting a new series of hand-made toys and graphite drawings. His clean, minimalist style celebrates the curiosity of youth with a rich narrative that integrates his love of design and human connection through its many cultures and the unifying emotional states we all share.

“The Pen is Mightier than the Sword”
I am more than an illustrator. I am a storyteller. My tales are a rich mixture of precious childhood memories and fairy tales. I weave together lines to celebrate the beauty and elegance of nature and human form. And sprinkled within that tapestry are touches of whimsy that bring to mind the wonderment of childhood and play. It is my way of rekindling youth with a wink and infinite mirth.
An architect by training, I create works in pen and ink that are filled with intricate detail and influenced by stringent rules of design. The elements I choose often hold symbolic meaning, and I take care to piece them together like a jigsaw puzzle to tell an overall story.”
Artist couple Jellykoe will be exhibiting new mixed media works sure to be a nutritious blend of cute and creepy. The pair is known for wide eyed, blank stared children and creatures alike often in the forms of plush or 3-d cutouts. Their work is humorous, often drawn or encapsulated in a somewhat dark, kawaii style that makes you want to relive or perhaps re-evaluate your childhood.

Jellykoe is a designer toy company located in the heart of Columbia, SC. It was founded in 2009 by husband and wife duo Kelly and J. Spencer Shull. Spencer acts as lead product designer and illustrator for Jellykoe while Kelly is in charge of production, design, and marketing.

All three exhibitions are free and open to the public.

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

David Santiago brightens Albuquerque wall!

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Fresh off the heals of his amazing February show “Knotty” at Stranger Factory, local artist David Santiago has now graced our very own Albuquerque with a stunning mural for all to enjoy!

“I Spy” is located on Mountain just west of 12th street, and those stunning eyes with wisping hair are hard to miss! Congrats to David on exemplary piece that has our jaws on the floor still.

If you are curious on more of David’s original works, we have a limited amount of creations available in our online gallery at http://www.circusposterus.com/product-tag/david-santiago/



April at Stranger Factory: Jen Musatto, Fearsome Beast (aka Katherine Walsh), and Calan Ree

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APRIL 2018

CARNIVAL OF LOST DOLLS II / Jen Musatto, MEMENTO VIVERE / Fearsome Beast (aka Katherine Walsh), and REALM / Calan Ree
will run from
April 6th – 29th, 2018
Opening Reception: Friday, April 6th from 6-9 PM


Jen Musatto creates “Them Dollz”, 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.

Her “rag doll” figures are nostalgic and reminiscent of the sewn faces of characters from her childhood like Raggedy Ann.

In her first solo feature at the gallery, Los Angeles based embroidery artist Fearsome Beast (aka Katherine Walsh) will be exhibiting her highly detailed embroidered works on fabric panels. Her small, framed two dimensional works are reminiscent of traditional embroidery with a dark spin.

Her obsession with tiny skulls and crowns obscures the narrative of a historically “feminine” craft.

Calan Ree creates contemporary ceramic and mixed media figurative sculpture.  Clay is her first true love, so even when working in bone or metal, there is more often than not, ceramic binding the elements together. She finds the natural world just as intriguing as the folk lore that tries to explain it.

Her work is figurative in nature and often expresses the hidden spirit that resides within the subject.

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

Paul Kaiju’s One Night Event at Stranger Factory

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The legend Paul Kaiju returns to Stranger Factory for a one-night only event not to be missed! 
If you know anything about Paul’s shows, then you know this will be packed full of amazing creatures that are brilliantly painted along with a shoulder to shoulder crowd of fans.
See you at the gallery Saturday March 17th at 6pm!

 

David Santiago solo exhibition “KNOTTY” this February

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David Santiago solo exhibition “KNOTTY” this February

Stranger factory is pleased to announce local artist David Santiago’s second solo exhibition at the gallery titled Knotty. “My focus was on creating a three-dimensional thickness to my work, creating tangles through many layers of hair that blanket the subject from the viewer.”

Santiago’s artwork explores a fascination with body language; focusing on creating people with very subtle expressions, as though they are hiding a secret. Looking into a straight face creates an uncertainty inside of you, a feeling you want to resolve.

David Santiago will be in attendance on February 2, from 6-9pm.

The exhibition will run through February 25.

Knotty will run from
February 2nd – 25th, 2018

Opening Reception: Friday, February 2nd from 6-9 PM
Artist will be in attendance for reception.

This event is free and open to the public.

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

 

Made in New Mexico II this January

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Stranger factory is so pleased to announce our Made in New Mexico II ‘local’ group exhibition in January!

Stranger Factory gallery will host the 2nd annual exhibition of new works featuring a diverse group of artists from the land of enchantment. “Made in New Mexico” will feature local artists from throughout the state. Many of the artists are expected to attend the opening reception on January 12, from 6-9pm.

The exhibition will run through January 28.

Featuring the works of: Katy Bos, Karl Deuble, Isaac Pierro, Johnpaul Gutierrez, Kathie Olivas, John Sumrow, Stephan Webb, Beth Spencer, Joel Nakamura, David Santiago, Travis Bruce Black, René Palomares, Max Lehman, Sandi Ray Pierce, Brandt Peters and more!

#madeinnewmexico #albuquerque#newmexico #abq #nobhill

Stranger Factory’s Seventh Annual Winter Salon

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Stranger Factory’s Seventh Annual
Winter Salon
DECEMBER 2017

Stranger factory is so pleased to announce our seventh annual group winter exhibition!

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 sketches, paintings, sculptures, plush, and jewelry!
Participating artists, this year, include Daniel Aaron, Creeptoons, Jeremy Cross, Karl Deuble, Fika Art, fufufanny, Johnpaul Gutierrez, Jay Hallopeter, Cassia Harries, Jellykoe, Ken Keirns, Patt Kelley, Shing Yin Khor, Tim Lee, MUMBOT, Jen Musatto, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Ratokim, Vanessa Ramirez, Ellie Rusinova, David Santiago, Joe Scarano, Brandan Styles, Sweet Bestiary, Anna Tillett, The Rots, Mizna Wada, and Stephan Webb.

Winter Salon VII will run from
December 1st – 31st, 2017

Opening Reception: December 1st from 6-9 PM
Stranger Factory
3411 Central Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106

Available NOW Kathie Olivas & Brandt Peters – Dark Harbor AP Mini Figure Set

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Dave Johnson, Jim Mahfood, Amy Earles, and Kaitlin Ziesmer this November at Stranger Factory

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Stranger Factory Gallery
presents

November 3-26, 2017

main room
New Works
Dave Johnson

Stacked Pyramids
Jim Mahfood

project room
The Fir / The Green
Amy Earles

Your Freaky Friends
Kaitlin Ziesmer

New Works
Solo exhibition of new works by Dave Johnson
Opening reception, November 3, 6-9 pm

American comic icon, “Reverend” Dave Johnson, will be exhibiting new figurative paintings and black and white works on paper inspired by his rich history in character development and comic art. Well known as an Eisner award winning cover artist, Johnson will be presenting his own contemporary narrative work that focuses on sharp, contrasting color compositions and patterns that provide the backdrop for his bold, minimalist portraits.

Stacking Pyramids
Solo exhibition of new works by Jim Mahfood
Opening reception, November 3, 6-9 pm

Raw, frenetic illustration artist, Jim Mahfood, will be exhibiting new works in “Stacking Pyramids.”His work defines his exploration of imagined senses and sexuality couched in his trademark chaotic style…heaps of black ink seem to explode within and around his subjects as they struggle for a handhold in an unsure world. Mahfood’s illustration style is dense and rich, and carries an intense load of sex, comedy, confidence, and a subtle presence of the fear and uncertainty of impending doom.

The Fir / The Green
Solo exhibition of new work by Amy Earles
Opening reception, November 3, 6-9 pm

Amy Earles is a US-based artist known for paintings and illustrations with contrasting dark, yet but feminine affection for strong central characters reminiscent of another time. Her foreboding narratives focus on dark figures like witches and mysteriously personified animals along with the unproven innocence of the young.

She explores the hidden layers of the self and the subconscious, aspects of the dreaming mind, and what it might mean to become another self, or many selves, when no one is looking. We are expecting to see a mix of original works including oil paintings, gouache paintings, intricate pencil drawings, as well as some archival prints of some of her most recent work, and of course, some of her paper dolls.

Your Freaky Friends
Solo exhibition of new work by Kaitlin Ziesmer
Opening reception, November 3, 6-9 pm

Denver based Artist Kaitlin Ziesmer will be exhibiting new paintings that feature animals and pop culture archetypes that assume the identities of everyday humans. Her brightly saturated minimalist portraits offer humorous cut and paste alterations that are reminiscent of 80’s fashion magazines and the nostalgia of high school yearbooks.