Seattle-based artist Ego is one of the most technically-proficient street artists the city has seen as of late.

Nonetheless, one might be able to argue that Ego has defined his style of dark, detailed renderings of skully things and creepers so well that one can kind of expect more or less what to see at one of his solo shows. Not so, kids!

His upcoming solo show at the new Flatcolor Gallery may feature pieces containing similar subject matter — after all, artists draw about what they like — but the style will feature a lighter color palette and an altogether different feel.

It’s guaranteed to be a great show, though; every time I see one of Ego’s pieces in a group show, I pretty much wish all the other pieces in the show would be replaced by his pieces because Ego’s attention to detail is simply astounding (I’d hope so; the dude’s a tattoo artist, after all). But as that fantasy has never become a reality, it’s exciting to see that he’ll be getting a show all to himself! Finally!

Check out the opening reception on October 1st, 2009 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, or view it for the whole month of October.

lordego1.deviantart.com
www.flatcolor.com

Sometimes I’ll come across artwork online that makes me gasp aloud because it’s simply so well-executed — but most of all, shockingly unexpected.

The above sculptures by Pacific Northwest native Scott Fife, now on display at the Platform Gallery, elicited just such a reaction from me. Given the show’s name, American Beauty, Fife’s work is just about the last thing I would have expected.

Part of the appeal of the sculptures is that they are reminiscent to me of drawings set on a bed of watercolor, only come to three-dimensional life. It makes sense, when one takes into account Fife’s painting abilities as well (evident in the T. Rx (study) in the image above, to the left of the sculpture). Take their size into account as well — with T. Rex at 64″H x 41″W x 64″D and Elvis at 42″H x 24″W x 30″D — and the pieces become even more astounding.

Drywall screws, archival cardboard, and glue, when used by Fife, make sculpture with these uncommon items seem easy.

On display now through October 10th, 2009.

www.platformgallery.com

Sure, you have until December 18th to actually catch this show, but be a trendsetter and be one of the first to check out the Suyama Peterson Deguchi Gallery’s exciting new show, Grotesque Arabesque.
 

Local sculpture artist Dan Corson, who is known for public installation works such as the Wave Rave Cave beneath the Highway 99 Viaduct and the green and black striped spires at the Sound Transit Maintenance Facility is the man behind this show.
 

Poetic in name and elaborate in reality, the installation features mirrors and electroluminescent strips on bent steel that, when coupled together, transform the gallery spahttp://www.redefinemag.com/arts/wp-admin/post-new.phpce into a maze-like indoor cavern. Go now, and be the first to tell your friends about this otherworldly show!
 

www.suyamapetersondeguchi.com
www.corsonart.com

 
 
 
 
Now you can not only purchase a piece of vinyl collectible art from Frank Kozik, but you can purchase a framed photo print of Kozik’s work at Munky King.
 

The hilarious 44″ x 49″ photo taken by Frank Schaefer features a Chairman Mao figure wearing Mickey Mouse ears, set on a bed of white balls. A black and white piece, it is certainly an interesting one, but for $5,500, the print’s “value” is certainly debatable, even for rich Los Angeles residents who live in the Melrose District.
 

www.fkozik.com
www.munkyking.com

Opening Friday, September 18th at the Gossamer Collective — a new workspace, studio, sewing shop, gallery, and boutique — is a photography show that is also a benefit event! Featurihttp://www.redefinemag.com/arts/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=939ng the black and white photography of Walter Grio, with proceeds from art sales, raffles, and retail sales benefiting Soulumination. Soulumination is a unique non-profit dedicated to providing parents with children who have life-threatening conditions with free professional photographs that celebrate the lives of the children. Please visit their websites for more information on the event and the positive cause you can help contribute to!

www.gossamercollective.com
www.soulumination.org

What happens when you mix the cutesy, yet often morbid, works of Luke Chueh with the literary texts of Dante Alighieri’s Dante’s Inferno? There seem to be no teaser samples of this upcoming show at Gallery 1988, but the premise certainly makes the show seem fascinating enough to check out when September 9th rolls around. And with some religious scholars thinking the mark of the beast is no longer 666, but 999, the date seems all too appropriate for such a show.

www.lukechueh.com
www.nineteeneightyeight.com

Collaborations, collaborations, collaborations.

They sometimes get tired and predictable, but when they’re done correctly, as Kate Cleaves and Matt W. Moore have done with their show, Convergence, they can be exquisite. Toss in one part geometric works of Moore and one part soft organic form of Cleaves, and you have pieces like the one at left, which are divided by harsh lines but flowing with abstraction in between.

Ten collaborative pieces will be on display at the CorduroyGallery, upstairs from the Corduroy Boutique in Portland, Maine. The opening reception will be September 4th, 2009 at 6:00pm, and will showcase pieces which have been being worked on since March.

www.katecleaves.com
www.mwmgraphics.com
www.corduroyboutique.com

Cutesy characters dreamed up by kids from France, Spain, and Germany are on display at the Jardín de la Ciudadela in Pamplona, Spain, right now. Inspired by one of the characters (center), created by Giacomo Nanni, the title of the show is Era La Dentadura De Mi Abuelo or I Was My Granddad’s Denture. The project is an interesting one, in which children write down their dreams and artists illustrate them. Visit their website at elmonstruodecoloresnotieneboca for more information!

www.mapamundistas.com