MANASSAS — (Press Release) The Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory will present A Carnival of the Absurd, featuring original new works by John Hartt.
A Carnival of the Absurd features new paintings that blend themes of the carnival sideshow, Sunday morning cartoons, conspiracy theory and just plain weirdness in a way that only John can present them. Hartt’s oddball style can be described as a mix of lowbrow art, pop surrealism, and cartoonism.
The dates for this show are September 4 through November 2. The opening reception is Saturday, September 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.
“I’m really excited to have a show at the Center for the Arts. The art scene in Manassas has really taken off and the Center for the Arts has played a big role in that growth. I’m thankful to be a part of this vibrant creative community,” said Hartt.
The Center for the Arts is located at 9419 Battle Street in Downtown Manassas. They are open daily from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
About John Hartt
Hartt has been painting in earnest for the past three years and debuted his work in his exhibition “A Peculiar Perspective” at The Hall in Manassas in September of 2017.
Most of his paintings start as one or two lines scribbled in a sketchbook. From those lines he looks for a shape or a character or just a feeling and builds on it ‘til it’s a finished drawing, Once he’s essentially taught himself how to draw the piece, he brings it to life with his colorful palette of oil paints that make his subjects jump off the canvas”
“My goal is simple, I want my art to make people smile,” said Hartt. “I love being a fly on the wall and watching people’s reaction to my art. I’ll get the smiles I’m looking for as well as the puzzled head scratches and I love listening to people’s interpretation of my art. Occasionally I’ll catch someone who seems totally engrossed in what I’ve done and is “connecting” with something about the piece. Making that “connection” is the “high point” about being a creative, you’re not just communicating with someone through art, you’re giving that person a piece of yourself that can’t be given in any other way.”
