FOUND-OBJECT SHOW OPENS in MIDTOWN (2/11/15)

     In March, two local artists who call themselves the Sons of Lovecraft are bringing a strange art show to Midtown.  

 

     Their three previous Found Object shows have included blinds re-purposed as Divinci's 'Flying Machine', sideshow doll freaks, and a swarm of birds made from bedposts. 

     This year's offering is called 'the Museum of Pandemonium' and promises to be just as complex as the show theme. 

 

      "We're hoping to turn the venue into what looks like an old airship," said Artist 'Tiki George' Hartley, one of the Sons. "...we've got a lot of friends in the Atlanta Arts Community, and we hope they drop by and see the exhibit."

      When Hometown News Atlanta caught-up with 'Tiki George', he was building an altar to St. Francis.  Not a real religious altar, an art piece ode. 

     "I found this dog tied to a pole in the rain, abandoned at a gas station," said 'Tiki George'  I took it home, fed and cleaned it, then took it to a local vet."
    
     The artist said he prayed to St. Francis to help find a loving home for the dog, and in exchange promised to do an art piece for the saint."   Within three days, the dog was adopted by friends who wanted to care for the animal.

     "We were influenced by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Thornton Dial for this show," said 'Tiki George'.  And---like the situation with the dog, our art is influenced by everyday occurrences."

      As for his own retrospective, "I think more than anything I was influenced by 80s pop culture icons like Pee-Wee Herman™ the B-52s™ and  Elvira™ ," said 'Tiki George'.   

 

     "As a kid I admired stars  whose on-stage persona was all-about performance art.  These people were not afraid to explore who they were.  As an artist I take that and mix it with pop or world folklore."

     'Tiki George' Hartley has work in collections throughout the United States, and just produced a sign for a BBQ restaurant in Okinawa, Japan. "The creative process in every person is as unique as styles of cooking." 'Tiki George' said.

     "There's both conscious and sub-conscious imagery going into the works," Hartley said "...I don't really plan the next piece, it just happens.  I might fall in love...I do a piece, it doesn't work, I do a piece. Rage, love, memory...people will see the emotions in the work."

      Georgia-born 'Tiki George' is from Possum Trot (near Newnan, Ga.).  He is a self-taught artist.

      Together with fellow creator R.R. Demacon the duo will be presenting the 4th annual Oscar's Found Object Art Show throughout the Spring at Ansley Above the Square in Midtown. 

The public is invited to the Opening Party on Thursday, March 4th 6-9pm. 

---Ray Macon