This time last year artist Skinner started questioning everything he believed in, searching for something more out of his artwork. The only way he felt he could really allow for personal exploration was by turning his entire world and working process upside down. He dove head first into a 7-month project with design and post-production boutique, Hey Beautiful Jerks, to create an animated music video for the band “High On Fire.”
The project was a massive undertaking, and completely secret. The project became a process of unlearning the urgency to create to survive, and relearning his love of process and creating because you just love it. “Let’s try to create a culture that isn’t addicted to the anxiety of survival,” says Skinner.
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 10th, Skinner will open the first installment of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” at Athen B. Gallery in Downtown Oakland. The series of events are based around all the work that went into the production of Skinner’s latest animated music video. In a statement about the body of work Skinner says:
“The things we learn about ourselves when we upend our current mode of operation, are the very things that very well may define us in the end. Shine a light on the territories of yourself that you haven’t explored and see what you might find. Chances are, there’s a lot more then you thought. The process ad learning and unlearning who we are, is a constant changing ocean. That’s how the universe works. Seasons and chaos. Everyone is everything if they choose it. But you do have to choose it. And I guess I’m pretty grateful to have this chance to share the art of 7 months of choosing something different. This art isn’t for sale. That’s not the point. It’s a peak into my life while I was twisting and turning in a cocoon of uncertainty and transition. While I was in the abyss of WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING! And I’m grateful for it. And for you. For this chance to connect without pretense, and in a space in time where we can hang out and celebrate process and uncertainty as people and artists. As I pin these paintings, drawings and storyboards up on the walls of Athen B Gallery, I still feel like a walking wound in the wake of our loss from the warehouse fire last weekend. It all feels so surreal. I find myself in another confused place of processing and I don’t know what to do. I still grieve the loss of two people. Kiyomi and Ara. It’s hard not to think of anything but the fire, So I offer the opening this Saturdayto be an open place of process for anyone. To process and feel anything they want. That’s what I’ll be using it as and I invite you to do the same. The art on the walls reflect a time where I was confused and afraid, it would be a shame not to allow it to be a celebration of those things in allowing us to come together and if possible, find some healing. Thank you to Oakland, California, my home and to Athen B. Gallery for allowing me the space to have this happen. I love you, Skinner.”
Catch the opening of Skinner’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” at Athen B. Gallery tomorrow night at 7pm.
