Jun 1 2012 - 06:00pm
Howl Tattoo Gallery 1514 Broadway #101 Fort Myers, FL
Information found from Facebook Event
HOWL Gallery Presents a new solo exhibition by gallery co-owner, painter, and tattoo artist Andy Howl. Cooties, Mr. Peanut, Reddy Kilowatt, Sea-Monkeys and other relics of American pop-culture tower over historic Ft Myers in this new body of paintings and prints inspired by Japanese giant monster movies and retro America. Mr. Peanut, of Planters Peanut fame, breathes fire as he stands on top of the Kress building. Enormous 10 story tall Cooties, based on the original 1950′s toy design, emerge ominously from the Caloosahatchee River. Space Invaders, from the future 1980′s video game, appear in the sky above 1940′s Fort Myers.
The pieces, each measuring over 5 feet by 36 inches, were done as an art commission for the historic Dean building on First and Dean Street in downtown Fort Myers. The Dean, situated kitty corner from HOWL Gallery, is home to the Dean offices, apartments, and well known establishments such as City Tavern bar and the new Ford’s Garage restaurant. The original art will be on permanent display at the Dean building in the office and apartment entryway areas.
Among the Historic Fort Myers imagery used in the new body of work include the late great Pleasure Pier city recreation area, The Edison Theatre, The Kress Building (home to HOWL Gallery today), and views of First Street featuring the Dean and other historic downtown Fort Myers landmarks. The show will feature full size and smaller digital editions of the paintings as giclee prints. The prints will be available for purchase during the show and throughout the month. Prices will range from several hundred for a full size gallery wrapped canvas to a few dollars for smaller prints.
These colorful pieces are the latest work by Andy and feature a new mixed media painting technique that utilizes acrylic transfers from digitally manipulated photos, hand drawn cartoon imagery and an expressive painterly technique. This new body of work is a culmination of over 20 years of experimentation with illustration, painting, graphic design, and tattooing by the artist.
The art was produced with the help of the Fort Myers History Museum’s photo archive.
Opening reception to be held during Fort Myers Art Walk, June 1st, 2012. The reception will run from 6pm til 10pm. Light refreshments provided. Live music on the HOWL back patio by What We Do drummers and dancers.
