Pirate, 2008

(Hand carved wood wrapped in skin)

40 x 40 x 0.75 in
101.6 x 101.6 x 1.9 cm
Edition: 1 of 1

NORMAN, Okla. — Artist, , is introducing two new art series at MAINSITE Contemporary Art. The opening is scheduled for Friday, October 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 122 East Main Street in Norman. The works will be exhibited through November 29. The artist, , says he, wants to “look like , feel like , and be a prince like .” His first art series — “Eco Celebrity” — has two components: “Amusing Ourselves to Death,” and “Pirate.” The table top pieces in “Amusing Ourselves to Death” focus on inner ; “Pirate” concentrates on outer beauty.

The table tops are taken outside of their practical use and wall mounted. The wall-mounted circular tabletops communicate the historical relevance to the use of natural beauty in furnishing .

Each table top bears the non-descriptive title “Amusing Ourselves to Death” and each has a descriptive name at the end such as or to the table’s natural and individual beauty.

The table tops’ source showcases these highly sought after exotic woods commonly used in furniture. The , who wishes to remain anonymous, is a major vendor to notable and luxury resort hotels and .

One of the pieces, “Amusing Ourselves to Death Flower” was created to express inner beauty.

“We’ve always used trees in this way — for their inner beauty,” Xvala says. “I believe the concept for inner beauty must have come from trees.”

“Pirate” is a sculpture that was fashioned after a women’s made from skin; it examines outer beauty and what this means to people.

“Big Sausage Pizza” is part of the series – a series about things people can experience in a new way. A stainless steel , the piece was based on popular images traded on the Internet. It combines America’s favorite food and service. The artistic and effect is released when the box is opened.

Pieces in the Surprise series display a lifestyle of how to be entertaining in new ways. One of the first pieces in this series was of — The Appeal of The Loss of Desirability.

Both the Eco Celebrity and the Surprise series artfully provide strategic secrets for how to achieve business and personal success.

MAINSITE is a contemporary commercial art gallery with that rotate approximately every nine weeks.