Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The Art of Kris Kuksi: Master of Leftover Toy Parts

Kris Kuksi

I've seen the art of Kris Kuksi before, but was reminded of his awesomeness by GERMS and CCPfan. Some of his work gives me flashes of HR Giger but the more interesting pieces to me are his vehicle collabortions such as his Church Tanks. I can't think of a better mash-up. The final combination of Church and State in a convenient, mobile enforcement platform...! I would love to see the Vatican roll like a hundred of these bad boys down to the Middle East.

His first solo show just ended at Joshua Liner Gallery in New York. BUT..... he's coming to the ShootingGallery in SF for a show in April...!

Bio from www.kuksi.com

Born March 2, 1973, in Springfield Missouri and growing up in neighboring Kansas, Kris spent his youth in rural seclusion and isolation along with a blue-collar, working mother, two much-older brothers and an absent father. Open country, sparse trees, and alcoholic stepfather, perhaps paved the way for an individual saturated in imagination and introversion. His fascination with the unusual lent to his macabre art later in life. The grotesque to him, as it seemed, was beautiful. Reaching adulthood his art blossomed and created a breakthrough of personal freedom from the negative environment experienced during his youth. He soon discovered his distaste for the typical American life and pop culture, feeling that he has always belonged to the ‘Old World’. Yet, Kris’ work is about a new wilderness, refined and elevated, visualized as a cultivation emerging from the corrupt and demoralized fall of modern-day society. A place were new beginnings, new wars, new philosophies, and new endings exist.

Kris Kuksi

In personal reflection, he feels that in the world today much of mankind is oftentimes frivolous and fragile, being driven primarily by greed and materialism. He hopes that his art exposes the fallacies of Man, unveiling a new level of awareness to the viewer. His work has received several awards and prizes and has been featured in over 100 exhibitions in galleries and museums worldwide including the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Kris’ art can also be seen in a number of international art magazines, book covers and theatrical posters. Kris’ art is featured in both public and private collections in the United States, Europe, and Australia that include individuals such as Mark Parker (Nike CEO), Kay Alden (three time Emmy award winning writer for Young and the Restless & Bold and the Beautiful), Fred Durst (musician, and film director), and Chris Weitz (movie director The Golden Compass & American Pie).


I would love to see Kris' studio where he stores all these thousands of toy parts. must be pretty crazy.

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

ok, a jet on top of a tank? how bad ass is that?

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

Kris Kuksi

contact 400x191

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