Paranormal Paranoia: the other side of tattoo art(ists)

Paranormal Paranoia: the other side of tattoo art(ists)
By Guest Blogger Roza Maille

Do you believe in ghosts and aliens and witchcraft and Bigfoot? The new exhibit at The BOX Gallery, opening September 6 at 5pm, explores all those things. Paranormal Paranoia: the other side of tattoo art(ists) is a group show consisting of over 30 tattoo artists from around the country. I curated this show with my twin brother, Ezra Haidet, who is a tattoo artist himself. He grew up in Ohio but is currently residing in Austin, Texas.

by John Massie

Ezra and I contacted artists from all parts of the country; from Ohio to Texas to California to Maryland, much of the country is represented in this show. Some of the artists featured in the show include: Austin Maples (California), Henry Hablak (Georgia), Marie Sena (Texas), Tony De Rigo (Ohio), John Rippey (Maryland), Jason Phillips (California), John Massie (Ohio), Boxcar (Pennsylvania), Nathan Abney (Ohio), Cory Schofield (Texas), George Archer (Virginia), Erik Jacobsen (California), and Josh Adams (New York). There is even one international artist from Switzerland, Cyrill Neff.

by Erik Jacobsen

Some people’s perspectives of tattoo artists’ art may be narrowed to things such as the butterfly tattoo on your cousin’s ankle. The art in this exhibition goes well beyond that. The artists were asked to make a painting within the paranormal theme guidelines. Because “paranormal” is defined as anything not explainable by science, the artists could take on subjects ranging from aliens to cryptozoology to ghosts.

by Boxcar

Since the participating artists are using paper instead of tattooing a destined area of skin, they have the option to be more expressive with their work. Some of the art follows a more traditional tattoo style with black outlines while others are softer. It is interesting to see the range of styles within this group of artists.

Most of the paintings will be for sale at the show during gallery hours. At a later date, an exhibition catalog will be available for purchase with most of the artwork represented. The release date is TBA but will be announced on the Facebook event page. You can find more details about the opening and a full list of the participating artists there also.

by Cory Schofield

There will also be a short sci-fi film shown in the video salon entitled The Exchange. This film was written and directed by Ohio natives The Campbell Brothers of Compound Pictures. It was also shot on Super 8mm film for all those film buffs out there.

There is a Preview Party that is open to the public on September 5, 2014 from 5-9 pm. The show officially opens during the September Artwalk on Saturday September 6, 2014 from 5-10 pm. During the Saturday opening, a tattoo artist from Kustom Culture Tattoo in Tallmadge will be present to draw temporary tattoos on visitors. The show will be open until the next Akron Artwalk on October 4, 2014 (gallery open from noon until 9 pm on the closing day). The BOX Gallery is open Friday and Saturday from noon until 5pm and is located at 140 E. Market St. Akron, Ohio 44308. Admission is free and the gallery is open to the public.

Paranormal Paranoia will run the same duration as the Akron Art Prize! So come upstairs to the 3rd floor at Summit Artspace to the BOX Gallery after you cast your votes!