HAPPYHAPPYJOYJOY By Joey Watson at HANDJOB Gallery Sept 9 – October 30th
The only usable photo snapped at the opening (sorry).
Imagine if that stoner kid with dreads in your high school art class grew up and became a respected artist …
That's the first impression I got from walking into Joey Watson's show at HANDJOB Gallery earlier this month. In actuality, there is a sophisticated and metaphysical philosophy infused in Watson's work. Playful? Yes. And fun. And weird, but there's also something else that one can't quite put a finger (or third eye?) on here. Born in the desert and working out of Kansas City, Watson continues the tradition of focused weirdness affectionately called 'Failure Chic' that KC has become known for over the past decade, when fellow KCAI products Jaimie Warren and Cody Critcheloe burst onto the national art scene.
At the opening, there was lots of youthful creativity and playfulness on display. Also, props to naming the show after a long-forgotten catch phrase from Ren & Stimpy!
A video featuring Watson from KC's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
In this series of self-produced short videos, artists featured in Unconventional Clay: Engaged in Change discuss inspiration, process and technique. 2016. Video courtesy the artist.
For a complete accounting of Watson's work available to view & purchase until Oct. 30th, please visit the Handjob Gallery website.
