Jen Musatto

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

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

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

Kathie Olivas and Jen Musatto this May at Stranger Factory

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Stranger Factory Gallery
presents

STRANGE DAYS

KATHIE OLIVAS

CARNIVAL OF LOST DOLLS

JEN MUSATTO

Both exhibitions run MAY 5-28, 2017
Opening Reception: May 5th, 6-9 PM

Strange Days
Solo exhibition of new work in Main Gallery

Kathie Olivas new solo exhibition “Strange Days” opens Friday, May 5, with an opening reception with the artist from 6-9pm. The exhibition of new paintings, mixed media assemblages, and hand made art toys focus on a brave new world of personified chaos and transformation.

Through her current body of work she explores society’s insatiable desire to morph innocence with vulnerability and our discomfort with the unknown. A dark blend of early American portraiture set in post apocalyptic times, her paintings and hand-made art toys are a satirical look at how fear and isolation affects our sense of reality.

Kathie Olivas is an internationally exhibited multi-media artist from New Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida. As a co-owner of Circus Posterus Inc. and Stranger Factory Gallery, Olivas has helped build the contemporary art toy market by curating and participating in exhibitions of narrative art throughout the world.

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Carnival of Lost Dolls

Jen Musatto creates “Them Dollz”, a line of handcrafted plush dolls that evoke a sometimesbroken and gloomy image 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.

Made from a combination of new and found materials, Musatto’s art figures are each wholly unique and provide a fresh, if slightly creepy, voice in modern plush art.

Both exhibitions run MAY 5-28, 2017
Opening Reception: May 5th, 6-9 PM

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ThEm DoLLz is about to make a hometown splash!

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Almost all the clowns are packed into the car for Circus Posterus “Traveling Circus” at Rotofugi, but we still have much to show you before the opening.

On that note, Jen Musatto is set to make a big hometown splash with her ThEm DoLLz gracing the gallery shelves. Jen has been planning, designing, and sewing these plush masterpieces for weeks, and we finally get to see them in person this Saturday the 15th.

How about a preview of a few?

cimmi3Cimmi
chloe2Chloe
mimi3Mimi


Circus Posterus’ “Traveling Circus” opens February 15 and runs through March 9th at Rotofugi.

Exhibiting artists include Stan Manoukian, Tim Lee, Chris Ryniak, Amanda Louise Spayd, Joe Scarano, Stephan Webb, Shing Yin Khor, Katie Carillo, Jen Musatto, Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Valency Genis, and Travis Louie.

Jen Musatto preview for Rotofugi

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chloeHometown hero Jen Musatto aka Them Dollz, is in full on prep mode for the Circus Posterus’ “Traveling Circus” at Rotofugi this February 15th.

Coming off her succesful December show in Stranger Factory’s project room, this emerging plush maven is making quite a name for herself. This work in progress titled “Chloe” is being assembled before the big show, and this is certain to turn heads because she has bunny ears. We all love bunny ears!

We will have more soon from Jen , so keep checking back.

Circus Posterus’ “Traveling Circus” at Rotofugi opens February 15 and runs through March 9th. Exhibiting artists include Stan Manoukian, Tim Lee, Chris Ryniak, Amanda Louise Spayd, Joe Scarano, Stephan Webb, Shing Khor, Katie Carillo, Jen Musatto, Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, and Travis Louie.

 

 

Josette

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Josette

The Stranger Factory Project Room will be filled to capacity this weekend with the brilliant craftmanship of Jen Musatto (Them Dollz). We have been bringing you numerous updates over the past few weeks on what will be at the show, and we realized we haven’t even grazed the surface of all the work. With that in mind, how about another preview?

Meet the ever so lovely Josette. Now you may fall for her mesmerizing blue eyes but behind those babies lie many secrets. She is a sinister gal, but shouldn’t let that dissuade you. She is dressed to impress and break many hearts in the process. Look out boys, if you are in Albuquerque this Friday for the opening, but don’t fret too much because Jen will be on hand to keep her in check.

Jen Musatto’s exhibit opens in the project room December 6 at 6pm. Jen will be attending to talk about her creations and meet with all in attendance.

Them Dollz goes BEEP and BOP

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beepDon’t let their disgruntled demeanor and stitches fool you, Beep and Bop are just wishing they were at the circus. They don’t have to wait too long, because Jen Musatto aka Them Dollz has them en route to the circus we know as Stranger Factory.

Beep and Bop are two monster boys that live for the circus. Everything about the circus excites them from the rides, to animals, the clowns, and especially the extra sugary cotton candy and delicious salted peanuts. If they had their way, they would be the leading stars under the big top. Their matching attire of stripes and hats is all part of their act, but the thing is they don’t just have one-act, they have every act. Being such avid connoisseurs of the gilly, they believe that have mastered every performance from juggling to high wire (even if they have yet to practice). They know what they love, and nothing is going to stop them.

Bopbeep2You can see Beep and Bop at Stranger Factory when Jen Musatto’s exhibit opens in the project room December 6 at 6pm. Jen will be attending to talk about her creations and meet with all in attendance.

More Reveals from Them Dollz

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Are you ready to give your eyeballs and plush heart a much needed jump for today? We have not one, but two, reveals from Jen Musatto‘s show this December in Stranger Factory’s Project Room. Grab your best attire, and look at Them Dollz below.
AbelUp first is Abel Pettymore who sits dapper and coy with his long mane and top hat. Don’t let this gent fool you, behind those sullen eyes and bow tie is a true badass. Only badasses wear stripes like that (like Beetlejuice).
IrisNot necessarily his partner in crime is Iris Von Straus. Iris prides herself on her beautiful, lush hair and fast living lifestyle. Able to put all patrons of the dance floor to shame, Iris’s version of the Charleston and Shimmy drop all the jaws. Look out, Albuquerque!

For more on Jen Musatto and Them Dollz, see Jen’s Project Room exhibit at Stranger Factory December 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, December 6th from 6 – 9 PM.

Them Dollz goes conjoined

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twins

Who doesn’t love something conjoined? For her show this December at Stranger Factory, Jen Musatto aka Them Dollz has brought the conjoined dolls out from under the stairs. Dressed in their best cherry red and turquoise collar dresses, these two are not impressed by my attempts at writing.

Conjoined at the hip with two arms and four legs, this doll will be a hit when it arrives at Stranger Factory soon.

Jen’s Project Room exhibit will run December 6th – 29th, with an opening reception on Friday, December 6th from 6 – 9 PM.