Guest Curator: Sto from Cinders Gallery

stomoney

Story by stomoney

Published on Mar 04, 2009 in Shop

Photo by Nicholas Chatfield-Taylor

This week’s Guest Curators are Sto (right), an artist and co-founder of Cinders Gallery, which he runs with Kelie Bowman (left). Together they decided to create a new space for art that would represent the DIY art scene they felt was being largely ignored by most other galleries. Five years later and nearly 60 shows under their belt, they’ve maintained an exciting space that celebrates a new generation of artists who are making work that blurs the boundaries between disciplines and media, while maintaining a common aesthetic influenced by punk, psychedelia, comics, video games, B-movies, and a love for the handmade.

For me, a big part of having a gallery is being able to tap into the ever-growing network of makers out there in the world, and bringing people together under one roof. We curate shows every month and handpick our favorite things for the store area of our space. I’m usually drawn to a piece immediately, whether it’s the subject matter, the colors, the technique, or the idea behind it. Something has got to pull me in, and if it holds my attention for long enough, then I think it’ll do the same for other people too.


Awakening Print


I have loved Brendan Monroe‘s work for a while now, but have never been able to get one of his pieces, so seeing his prints on Etsy made my day. The cool thing about prints is that they can be totally affordable, and a good way to get something by an artist whose original work might sell for a whole lot more. This one was my favorite; it’s called “Awakening”. I love the golden yellow of this figure.  It makes me feel like melting into a puddle of gooey goodness. By brendanmonroe, $50.

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Carrier of Secrets and Mysteries Print


This is another fantastic print at a great price. It’s a giclee, which is basically a high-quality archival inkjet print. I’ve seen Andy Kehoe‘s work in shows around NYC and have always enjoyed the fantastical worlds he creates. I kind of want to give this guy a big hug and go romping around the countryside with him. By andykehoe, $55.

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Sale -New Ectoplasm – screenprint


Silk-screening is one of my favorite kinds of printmaking. It is done by hand, and you can get wonderfully rich, flat looking colors. Alyoisiusspyker’s prints are really bizarre and mysterious and her descriptions for each print are kind of hilarious. How cool is it that she lives all the way down in Australia? And yet I can easily get some of her art! By alyoisiusspyker, $35.

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Swingset


Just this past year, I’ve found myself looking at more photography than ever. I’m really into these. I picked this one in particular because it has this haunting, lonely, and meditative feel to it. The beach seems to go on forever and the swings are so still and abandoned. This is a beautiful moment, and a total steal at only 12 dollars. By feaverish, $12.

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2009 Invincible Summer Calendar Ode to the Queer Animal Kingdom


It’s never too late to get a calendar. I have about five going every year and this would be a great addition. It features different animal drawings by Nicole Georges and was inspired by the reported 1500 animals that have been observed engaging in homosexual behavior!  Whoa. Nicole makes a really cool zine called Invincible Summer too. By spinstersummer, $10.

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The Perfect Meal


I have a soft spot for faux food items…and chickens. I used to have a pet rooster named Puppy, so I have a bunch of chicken and rooster-related things. These potato chips are actually made out of copper! By AranGalligan, $390.

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bike patch


I always like to sew patches on my stuff, even when there isn’t a hole to cover up. You can take a normal bag or hoodie and make it so much more exciting and personal. I love the different patterns of the recycled fabric that Field Day uses, and I love promoting bikes! By fieldday, $3.

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Killa Bees Corset Dress


Handmade clothing is like wearable art. There is nothing better than wearing something that is one of a kind and stitched together with someone’s tender care. If I started my own colony, I think I would have Rubypearl make our wardrobes. I’m going to recommend her to all the badass warrior princesses I know. By rubypearl, $235.

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Handprinted postcard set


I’m always making packages and writing letters at the gallery, so I try to keep a bunch of cool stationery lying around. These hand silk-screened postcards by Caroline Paquita are perfect. By carolinepaquita, $6.

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Bermuda Pantaloons Zine


Evah Fan‘s zine is one of the coolest I’ve seen in a while. It starts off like a ninja star and then opens up into a house! Her drawings are clever and tiny and this little book looks like a lot of fun. By potatohavetoes, $5.

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Brainscan Audio Zine


I get tired of listening to just music while I’m working in the studio, so I’ve been tuning in to more talk radio and spoken word stuff to mix it up. I’d definitely check out this audio zine called Brainscan. I love the idea of listening to a zine. It’s kinda like having a friend read to you or tell you a story. By brainscan, $3.50.

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Hand Painted Original Art Drum Sticks


This is the ultimate gift for your drummer buddies or anyone who enjoys beating on things with style. Mindy is also working on a magazine called Tom Tom all about girls who drum!  By moreteeth, $15.

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Don’t forget to shimmy on over to the Cinders Gallery website,
and while you’re at it, stop by Sto’s personal site and say hi!

Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive.

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