Homer Simpson, Beavis and Butthead, and Bugs Bunny are four iconic characters whose images are well known throughout the world. Their faces are seen on tv, in movies, on magazines, and on all sorts of merchandise. Their images are mass marketed and trademarked and they are not allowed to be reproduced for profit. But, they are allowed to be redrawn and then blown the fuck up, which is exactly what artist Matt Gondek does.
Matt Gondek is well known for taking some of the world's most recognizable characters and painting them as if they were exploding form the inside out. The most interesting part about this is that his work feels light, pop art-esque, and fun. His images are clean and simple, full of color, and his work is the perfect mixture of camp and doom.
This Pittsburgh born artist currently resides in L.A. where he spends his days painting. He is in the process of working on a show called Unholy Hands (named after a song by The Bronx) that will be visiting The Store Front Gallery in Ferndale on Saturday, November 21st.
Gondek has heard great things about the art community here and he decided it was time to come check it out. He has previously painted a 20 X 40 foot wall in Vegas and his art has graced the side of a food truck or two, but he has never stepped foot inside the mitten.
I am personally very excited for this show. I am a huge fan of pop art like this, I love when things get a little vulgar and I am obsessed with the Simpsons. I asked Gondek to paint Ned Flanders (my favorite character) when I interviewed him about the show and I think he might come through. If so, my living room is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
Come check out his work for yourself on Saturday, November 21st. The show will open at 5 p.m. and run through 11 p.m. The Store Front Gallery is located at 477 West Marshall, Ferndale, MI.
~S
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