October 2024: Darryl Ary, Nick Sciarrone, Tara Thomas
©Tara Thomas Unpopular Celebrities
This month, we're focusing on outsider art, which is created by self-taught individuals who lack formal training and typically have minimal exposure to traditional art conventions. Featured works include Nick Sciarrone's maximalist collages, a celebrity portrayal by Tara Thomas, and a tribute to Darryl Ary.
About the Artists:
Nick Sciarrone is a self-taught artist influenced by Surrealism and Dadaism. His collages combine various materials, including magazines and books, featuring images and symbols from different times and places. Sciarrone’s work encourages personal interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with the art on their own terms. He draws inspiration from Joan Miró's idea that art's meaning unfolds over time, emphasizing that creation is instinctual and that deeper insights emerge as viewers connect with his collages. Ultimately, his art fosters imagination and dialogue, bridging different eras and perspectives. He is currently working as a counselor.
Instagram: @quakersexcult
Tara Thomas is a celebrated Capitol Hill icon known for her unique artistic perspective that embodies the absurd. She has been featured in The Stranger, City Arts Magazine and Seattle Met. We're showing, "Unpopular Island," featuring caricatures of a wide range of controversial celebrity figures, including David Caruso, Roman Polanski, Patty Hearst, and many others, reflecting on celebrity culture and public perception.
Follow her on Instagram here: @taraeatsglue
Darryl Ary was a deeply talented and unique artist known for his use of found materials to create humorous and thought-provoking artwork. His work often reflected his experiences and interactions with the community, particularly as he engaged with people outside notable local spots like Dick's Drive-in on Broadway and City Market on Olive Way. As the fifth anniversary of his passing approaches next month, it serves as a poignant reminder of his contributions to the art scene and the connections he fostered within the community. Ary's ability to infuse humor into his creations while using everyday materials speaks to his creativity and the lasting impact he had on those around him. We miss him a lot and encourage you to take a walk down memory lane through these video clips of him talking about his art and other random things.
Proceeds from sales go to Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC)
These are some outtakes from a documentary that wasn't completed: https://vimeo.com/42046173
The documentary trailer is here: https://vimeo.com/18441258
