Humor is a consistent theme in 85-year-old artist Howard Statham’s exhibit at Fresno City College’s Art Space Gallery. He has a happy go lucky outlook on life, and this can be seen throughout the exhibit with Statham presenting very clever and amusing messages that are pleasing to the eye.

Howard Statham is a local artist, born and raised in Selma, right here in the Central Valley. Howard Statham, ‘From then to now’ features much of Statham’s work from 1952-2009. His art ranges in media such as enamel, acrylic, canvas, board, collage, photography, and in more recent years, computer generated prints. He sheds light and humor on issues ranging from pop culture to politics. In a statement written for the show, Statham says that he knows some of his pieces bring about an, “I don’t know” reaction, but that he can “only offer the excuse that his pieces are primarily for his personal entertainment.”

In a Fresno Bee interview, Stathem stated, “I will just take the mouse and make a zig-zag line and start filling in with color.”

Howard Stathem pulls inspiration for his work from many places, such as science-fiction stories of H.G. Wells, many classic movies, and famous impressionist painter Henri Rousseau.

“I love the indirect humor and hidden messages in his work; I’ve always thought of art as strictly canvas and paint but it is so inspiring to see so much computer generated from his recent work,” said FCC student, Bernadette Bowers.

The Art Space Gallery will be featuring Statham’s work until April 3, 2009.

Art Space Gallery Hours

Monday closed

Tuesday 10a.m.- 5p.m.

Wednesday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Thursday

Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Price: free