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Whether it’s a three-headed dragon creature from Japan or a cuddly zombie bear, monsters have long terrified, fascinated, and influenced various artists.
And through August 31, you can see a menagerie of monsters on display at Cade Gallery downtown.
The gallery’s “MONSTERS!” exhibit features figures, paintings, and drawings of fantastical creatures, created by a variety of local and national artists. In addition to works from Chicago-based artist Melita Murphy (a.k.a. Miss Monster), Washington state artist Augie Pagan, and Tucson tattoo artist/multi-media maven Jason Pedersen, “MONSTERS!” features paintings from Arizona natives Jenny Fontana, Jamie Fontana, Alexander Scott Hughes, and Jason Rudolph Pena.
Jenny Fontana, who says she’s “influenced by all things dreary, dark, and adorable,” is already known for her renderings of creepy critters on canvas. “I like to paint pictures of dead animals that I think would make nice pets,” she says. “Most of paintings focus on themes of fear and insecurity.”
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Jamie Fontana also contributed some monster art for the show, though the artist says “Lately, I have been leaning towards the sillier side of things, bears in particular.” But Fontana’s bears, though cute and silly, are often depicted somehow stabbed and bleeding.
Another artist with work in the Cade Gallery exhibit is Alexander Scott Hughes, who grew up in central Phoenix and has already shown his work at galleries including monOrchid, Alwun House, and Wet Paint. Several other artists, including Melissa Kaylor, Ryan Hungerford, Jesse Moore, and Lindsay Mays, also have art featured in the exhibit. “MONSTERS!” is on display at Cade Gallery, 722 N. Fourth Street, through August 31. Visit www.cadegallery.com for more information.
