Another Kiva Gallery favorite is Ryan Singer. Some aspects of his art lend themselves to the classification of ”lowbrow”. Indeed, in some instances the influence of the aesthetics of the lower strata of culture is obvious. One often recognizes elements from comic book art and poster design – those of Frank Kozik in particular – in Singer’s art.
While on the one hand a pop cultural muncher of americana, other work by Singer offers more astute social commentary.The darker aspects of american culture are present too – all too present. Some of his recent paintings capture the pervading sense of alienation and disconnect from Edward Hopper’s paintings, but supplements it with a more precise cause – alcohol. Excessive drinking has of course been the source of demise of many a Native American. Singer, however, seems to shun personal blame in order to cast light on the extent to which it has been used as a political weapon.
Amidst the arrows, guns and dead bodies in ”Flying Engine”, bottles lie strewn throughout the battlefield as if to suggest that alcohol was a dominant weapon in the white man’s conquer of the land.
In ”Returning to Childhood” the ever present gates to alcoholic oblivion remains a force of oppression and control.
…Personally, Singer’s drinking preferences lean toward the more modest stimulant of coffee.
