Specimen Number 27

New exhibits by Kathie Olivas, Scott Radke, and Stephan Webb. Stranger Factory is excited to play host to three new solo exhibits by Kathie Olivas, Scott Radke, and Stephan Webb, with an opening reception Friday, April 5th from 6 PM - 9 PM. "Scout" finds Kathie Olivas searching for simplicity with a solo exhibit of new portraits, studies, customs, and original sculpts. This new show finds her simplifying her approach, and allowing the beauty of the individual to take the viewer's focus as they join her and her creations in the search for the small truths in a larger world. Scott Radke's "Interface" features original sculpts and a few customized Skelve figures by the enigmatic artist. His work is highly-sought after, incredibly detailed, and is at once comforting and unsettling. His creations evoke sympathy in the viewer, while hinting at a larger world beneath the surface of our own. Stephan Webb's "Evolutionary End Game" will feature a new series of detailed bronze sculptures from this unique artist. Webb's artwork takes a surrealistic view of biological and evolutionary processes, and utilizes the medium of metal casting and sculpture as a commentary on the fabricated nature of our surroundings. Stranger Factory is the newest branch of the Circus Posterus family tree, a unique highly visible gallery located in Nob Hill just off the historically famous Route 66 (Central Ave) in the heart of Albuquerque, New Mexico and is dedicated to bringing a new style of art to the area. With their worldwide network of talent, Stranger Factory will bring many incredible names in the post modern, pop surrealist and “lowbrow” art community for the very first time as well as offering aspiring art collectors the opportunity to begin their collections with original works and editioned releases at reasonable and retail-friendly prices. Stranger Factory is the official flagship retail outlet for all Circus Posterus goods including original artwork, limited edition prints and books, sculptural editions and apparel as well as other gifts, novelties, designer toys, and curious objects of beauty and wonder!Mixed media tends to refer to a work of visual art that combines various traditionally distinct visual art media. For example, a work on canvas that combines paint, ink, and collage could properly be called a "mixed media" work. When creating a painted or photographed work using mixed media it is important to choose the layers carefully and allow enough drying time between the layers to ensure the final work will have integrity. If many different media are used it is equally important to choose a sturdy foundation upon which the different layers are imposed. Many interesting effects can be achieved by using mixed media. Often, found objects are used in conjunction with traditional artist media, such as paints and graphite, to express a meaning in the everyday life. In this manner, many different elements of art become more flexible than with traditional artist media. I am a graduate from the University of New Mexico with a BS in biology. I love being outdoors and I'm interested in studying wildlife. I find a lot of inspiration in nature for my art, so, for me, the two go hand in hand. My artwork takes a surrealistic view of biological process and how they interact with our fabricated human environments. Evolution is an ongoing process and I try to show this in my art work. I tell a story of organisms that have evolved in cohesion with man's machines or discarded relics. For example, coral may use sunken planes as a foundation to start a new colony. How far can this interaction go? Can organisms entirely integrate man-made objects into their complex systems? I merge biology with industry and shapes that most people are familiar with to try and convey this concept. Often these themes are combined in intricate sculptures that feature biological entities and structures juxtaposed with harsh geometric shapes, while trying to establish a soft merger of the two. The new series I intend to focus on, explores the inner workings of the human psyche an the forces that are imposed on an individual that effect the