Personal Art
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As a counterbalance to all the public art I make, I also make much more personal art. Art just for me. I have been showing this work in galleries since the 70's. I am currently a member of Punch Gallery, in Seattle. My most recent show, My Cell Phone Tells Me To Do Bad Things, was about the way cell phones have insinuated themselves into our lives.
You can read what the local critics had to say HERE and HERE.
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The critics are raving about Niemi:
”Niemi makes art about technology which is the result of elaborate technological processes.” –Matthew Kangas
“Ignorant Idiot” –Unregistered User #76582
“fetish penis art... a satire of patriarchy? or ... a celebration of male hubris?” –Jae Carlsson
“Bad Ideas, Bad Imagination, and Bad Motives. This is Bad, and that is that.” –Charles Mudede
“Dad is a Fool.” –Torque Niemi
“Lounge Lizard gone Country Boy…”
–Regina Hackett
“You’re not that funny.” –Sheila Klein
Analog Phone
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In 2005, I did a show at the Lucia Douglas Gallery, in Bellingham Washington, Called Weapons of Mass Destruction. For many years, I have been working on a series of work called "The House of War". Islam splits the world into two houses- The House of Islam, and The House of War. You can guess where we live.
I have been exploring weapons, and whether I can isolate what makes them so attractive, for many years. This show, which featured both hand forged metalwork and embroidered textiles, talked about weapons and war.
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Money is another subject I have been working with for many years. Since artists seldom make any real money, I have been forced to make my own. This is a Billion Dollar Bill I made in several versions- this one is an inkjet print, 22" x 48", but this same graphic was also printed on a limited edition skateboard made by Manik Skateboard Company of Seattle.
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When Bill Clinton was running against Bob Dole in 1992, I did a one day show of artwork about the election in the Two Bells Tavern in Seattle, on Election Night only. To me, the race came down to one simple decision- Boxers or Briefs. Bill Clinton publicly declared his preference on MTV, which left poor Bob holding up the flag for the Tighty Whitey contingent.
The show included Boxers and Briefs bar stools, a series of paintings and metal wall pieces about both candidates, and this series of life size metal underwear.
Boxers. "She comes in Flowers"- powdercoated and handpainted steel.
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And Briefs. "Are you questioning my patriotism?" - powdercoated and handpainted steel.
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