You can tell Shane Hoffman is a poet (and an artist) by the evocative title of his exhibit…
I’ve shortened it for headline purposes, though. Scroll down to read the whole thing, which becomes more (ironically?) mysterious with each word.
Lovable weirdness is big part of Hoffman’s work, which consists—as far as I’ve seen—mainly of stuffed felt sculptures of imaginary creatures and small, painstaking narrative drawings. Both are conduits into a bizarre mythology generated deep in the artist’s mind, starring twin red birds, a legless (but perpetually blissed-out) monkey, and a trio of sisters with markedly different personalities. Think Henry Darger meets Adult Swim with a dash of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology.
He also makes some assemblages that have more in common with the contemporary art called “lowbrow.”
Check out Hoffman’s show at USF’s Centre Gallery, opening Monday. I highly recommend engaging the USF MFA student in a conversation about his work; when I did at Gala Corina earlier this month, he became an animated and charming storyteller.
Beyond the Barren City of Black Clouds and Rain, The Birth of the Twin Red Birds: An Exhibition by Shane Hoffman
December 3 – December 14, 2007
Reception: Tuesday, December 4, 2007 from 7 to 9 pm
Centre Gallery, located on the USF Tampa Campus in Marshall Center Room 102
3 responses so far ↓
1 Cassandra // Dec 5, 2007 at 1:16 pm
The artist sounds so interesting with his story behind his works helps make the art itself more intriging and brings out hidden messages in the piece which may have been overlooked otherwise. I definately will go see his work in the future. the pics that you featured are very strangely unigue and interesting. I could see myself buying his art adding another demention to my collection. Good Shane hoffman! I’ll see you soon.
2 Aunt Mary // Dec 10, 2007 at 8:34 am
Hey Shane! The two pieces I saw on my computer were very YOU! It’s wonderful that the creativity you had as a child grew in you. It’s great of you to share it with the world. I wish you continued success in your art. ~Love, Aunt Mary~ Owls Head, Maine
3 Melissa // Dec 10, 2007 at 6:55 pm
WOW!!! Pretty nice Shane!! Keep up the awesome work. Love your cousin, Melissa…Rockland, Maine
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