Kentuck's Gallery at Hotel Indigo in downtown Tuscaloosa is filled with Tim Spanjer's bold, Pop Art-styled paintings until January 23, 2023.
The subjects of Tim's paintings bring most viewers back to childhood memories. The images of Blow Pops, favorite candy bars, paper airplanes, and beloved books evoke a sense of nostalgia. Although the simplicity of Tim's images may lead the viewer to an obvious interpretation, his work is often imbued with literary and poetic themes.
It Isn't Fun Anymore is one of the pieces that is strikingly simple--a several paper airplanes on a flat orange background. Perhaps, this piece will remind the viewer of paper airplane battles in elementary school. However, there is a deeper reference for Tim inspired by The End of Something by Ernest Hemingway. In Hemingway's short story, a young couple ends their relationship when Nick declares, "It isn't fun anymore." (citation). This bold, simple composition does more than remind us of the fun we used to have--it also serves as a warning of what happens when the fun is no longer present.
"I believe art should say something BOLD about who you are. It should challenge the status quo and set you apart."
Fine Art Done Boldly is Tim's artistic mantra, and his work certainly takes every day objects and transforms them into the most eye-catching versions of themselves. Tim's work begins as a handmade wooden canvas, which he sands and primes before beginning to add color and composition. Each painting you see on display at Hotel Indigo goes through several phases before becoming a finished piece. Tim does a drawing of his idea, inputs it into his graphic design software, edits the composition, adds color, and tweaks the design until he's satisfied. For Tim, actually putting paint onto his wooden canvas is the least interesting part of his process.
Tim's art has been exhibited for multiple years at Magic City Arts Connection, Moss Rock Arts Festival, and the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. His art was curated and featured in the global Fall Saatchi Art catalog. He has a degree in art from OCU in Oklahoma, he is a member of SAG/AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). Tim lives in Sylacauga, Alabama with his family.
Popclectic will be on view at Kentuck's Gallery at Hotel Indigo in Downtown Tuscaloosa until January 23, 2023. We encourage you to visit this exhibition in person! For purchasing inquiries, please call 205-758-1257 or email mbell@kentuck.org. For a closer look, please click on each image.