Humor Arts Museum
Uplifting Humorous Art In All Media
Upcoming
Current
Recent
Contemporary
Sculpture &
Photography
Feb 14 - April 30, 2023
Curated by
Karen E. Gersch
the
ART of
the CIRCUS
May 1 - June 30, 2023
Curated by
Karen E. Gersch
Contemporary Sculpture & Photography
February 14 - April 30, 2023 | Curator Karen E. Gersch
Virtual Reception, Sunday, March 5
Having already sauntered through time and history in our second exhibition for HAM, I ambled ahead to the present, concentrating on modern day artists in two specific genres. I found four exceptional humorists who happen to work in wood, earthenware and resin, and five photographers of note with a penchant for uplifting or comedic visions. Their choice of media and styles may differ, but all are craftsman of a high order, and all possess a splendid sense of fun and funny in varying degrees. Enjoy the texts that describe or explain their process and motivations for their work. And scroll down to read even more about each artist, or to connect with their social media sites.
CHEERS! Have a giggle on me!
Curator
Karen E. Gersch
Photo courtesy of Karen E. Gersch
Ron Hershey
Rick Weber
Seth Olenick
Ruth Geneslaw
Sandra Belitza-Vazquez
Bob Yorburg
Rick Rogers
Eli Ross
Jim Moore
RON HERSHEY
Newlyweds in Rome, 1980
Silver halide print | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
I was using a new lens attachment that, like a periscope, allowed me to take photos surreptitiously at 90 degree angles. I'd spent 20 minutes shooting this adoring couple, while Luigi was becoming increasingly puzzled as to why this crazy-haired young photographer was captivated by a collection of nearby garbage bins!
RICK WEBER
Oh Happy Day, 2020
Earthenware, glaze | 12 x 7 x 3" | $300 | Buy
This mask expresses the feeling one can have upon waking: 'Oh, there is another beautiful day dawning - what a wonder it is to be alive in this world with my friends and family!'
SETH OLENICK
Garfunkel and Oates
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $50 | Buy
American comedy folk duo Riki Lindhome (Garfunkel) and Kate Micucci (Oates) have been described as "pretty girls with dirty mouths", and are known for their raucous blend of comedic commentary, folk pop and clever lyrics.
RUTH GENESLAW
Shopping for Mr. Right, 2005
Carved bass wood and paint | 12 x 14 x 10" | $1,500 | Buy
This piece was inspired by a friend's suggestion that she create a piece about dating or a single woman's challenges in looking for a mate.
SANDRA BELITZA-VAZQUEZ
Private Keep Out, 1972
Black & white photograph | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
Every self-respecting cat has a clubhouse - members always restricted!
BOB YORBURG
Laughing Sal
6.5' | NFS
This restoration for the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. was more of a total rebuild of the popular circa 1930's sculpture. Over time, it had deteriorated into a pile of paper mache mush. Yorburg recarved it in wood reproducing the costume based on old photos, and fully re-sculpted the hands. Sal's little sign reads: 'Drop in a Nickle - Give Her a Tickle'.
RICK ROGERS
Swingin'
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
As I do my morning and evening walks along the Hudson River, there are always little snippets of life that catch my eye. With my phone at the ready, I capture these snippets. Some get deleted and some get stored, and I continue my walk.
ELI ROSS
Tillie, the Bag Lady Frog
Polymer with crushed marble, hand patina'd | NFS
This charming painted cartoon-like creature was produced for a mail-order company, and was the foundry's second best seller.
SANDRA BELITZA-VAZQUEZ
Did You Hear?, 2019
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
Vazquez captures a moment we all know well: that of secrets intimately shared.
RUTH GENESLAW
Not Tonight, 2014
Wood carving and paint | 7.5 x 15.5 x 15.5" | $900 | Buy
Note that the realistic quilt on the bed is made entirely of wood, while all the classic reasons and excuses for why sex is "out of the question", is embroidered in a ring around the couple.
JIM MOORE
George Carl
Black & white photo | NFS
Legendary physical comedian Carl began his career in vaudeville and circus. His signature props were simply a microphone, stand and hat. It was his first television appearance in 1985 on the Johnny Carson show (at the age of 69) that made him a big star and movie attraction.
BOB YORBURG
Nightlight
3' | NFS
A European-inspired, carved and multi-layered Baroque nightlight (and YES, it works)! This scupture was part of the "Art of Balance" Circus Exhibition that Gersch curated at a cultural center in Beacon in 2018.
SETH OLENICK
God's Pottery
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $50 | Buy
A NYC Faux-Christian acoustic music and comedy duo; composed of Wilson Hall, aka Jeremiah Smallchild and Kristen Johnson (Gideon Lamb). Their humor is clearly up-lifting.
RICK WEBER
Broke but Not Broken, 2020
Earthenware, glaze, wood | 18 x 5 x 2" | $300 | Buy
Created from a rather thin slab of clay, this piece broke during the firing. Mounting it on a board with the cracks showing was my solution. It implies that one can recover from difficulties and live a happy, confident life.
JIM MOORE
Stanley Allen Sherman
Black and white photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
The man behind the mask is its creator. Sherman is one of the foremost mask makers in the country and as a mime, knows well how to wear one!
RUTH GENESLAW
Underdogs, 2003
carved bass wood and paint | 13 x 16 x 9" | $1,400 | Buy
A gentle reminder of all those who remain marginalized in our society: the elderly, the disabled, people of color, women and the overweight.
RON HERSHEY
Sleeping Don Juan, Cuenca, Ecuador, 2015
Silver halide print | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
Ecuador's Andean climate is temperate all year round, which makes for a culture where life is lived outside, in full view. The Central Square in each town is an entertaining place to watch life unfold before your eyes... and your camera lens!
BOB YORBURG
Gavioli-style Band Organ
4' x 5' x 3'| NFS
Yorburg styled this beautifully toned small band organ after a "Gavioli" design. Giacomo Gavioli was a Franco-Italian inventor from the 1800's who developed some of the first automated musical instrument players. His sons, grandsons and great-grandsons continued the business, and the company flourished for more than a century, providing many elaborate musical creations to fairgrounds, museums and private collections. Although all Yorburg's works pictured here are NFS, they serve as examples of his custom craftwork that can be commissioned as art pieces, signs and architectural carvings.
SETH OLENICK
Rod Fransham
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $50 | Buy
Fransham is a popular New Zealand comedian, described as "very tall and mouth-wateringly handsome" on IMDb and LinkedIn. One can assume his humor is wickedly on pointe.
RUTH GENESLAW
The Glass Ceiling, 2008
Carved wood and paint | 10 x 16 x 4.5" | $1,300 | Buy
Despite some progress, invisible barriers still exist preventing women, people of color, and other qualified individuals from rising in their careers and vocations.
SANDRA BELITZA-VAZQUEZ
Hurry Up and Feed Me!, 2020
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
Belitza-Vazquez captured the constant feedings of her backyard baby birds by its diligent parents. These young feathered ones are as demanding as any toddler!
RICK WEBER
No Respect, 2019
Earthenware, glaze | 13 x 8 x 3" | $250 | Buy
"After this mask was made, I saw the resemblance to comedian Rodney Dangerfield. Those popping eyes made me laugh!"
RON HERSHEY
Backstory of a Horse, Trinidad, Cuba, 2017 Silver halide print | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
"A mere ninety miles from the Florida Keys, lies the most exotic country I've ever visited - a country still running on horsepower; no BMW's parked in driveways! And in Trinidad - a colonial town in central Cuba - horses are the primary source of transportation."
ELI ROSS
Mermaid
Polymer with crushed marble | 5.5 x 3 x 2" | NFS
Ross's small sculptures are elegant, but also exude a touch of quirkiness.
RICK ROGERS
Footprints
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $ 75 | Buy
There is a phantom-like quality to both Rogers' images; the just-missed presence of an invisible force that's left its mark: whether a trail of feet or the rocking of empty swings in the night.
BOB YORBURG
Rabbit
Carved wood and paint | 4' | NFS
In the style of William Denzel (considered the DaVinci of the Carousel world), Yorburg hand carved and painted this stunning rabbit with unique trappings. A fine example of Yorburg's specialized expertise in carving and creating from scratch larger-than-life-sized carousel creatures.
JIM MOORE
Seth in Bloom
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone form the celebrated physical comedy duo "Acrobuffos", which they founded in 2005 to entertain globally through wordless shows. They perform in international street festivals, full length productions in major theaters and - as seen here - with the Big Apple Circus.
ELI ROSS
Backbender
Bronze with polymer | 4 x 1.5 x 3" | NFS
This figure is reminiscent of a 2,500 year old Egyptian cave carving of an acrobat.
JIM MOORE
Maria Reads A Book
Color photo | 8 x 10" unframed | $75 | Buy
From a live show at Coney Island USA in 2022, Moore caught this shot of Filipino-American puppeteer Maria Camia from one of her original and dazzling full length productions.
RICK WEBER
Good Spirit, 2018
Earthenware and acrylic washes | 11 x 5 x 3" | $250 | Buy
"I read a scientific book titled "The Secret Life of Trees" that made me realize their importance. The bark-like texture with a suggested face honors trees and how they support all life on earth. This type of mask is called a "tree spirit".
