Date: 4/24 - 7/24/09
Location: V&V Northside Gallery

CINCINNATI, OH - "Wild Life: Animal, Landscape, Skin" is an exhibition that juxtaposes wildlife art with tattoo culture. Inspired by James Henrie's collection of nature tattoos and Kathy Brannigan's animal drawings, the show references tattoo flash from Designs by Dana, and works by Charlie Harper. Co-curators James Henrie and Kathy Brannigan worked closely with Dana Brunson, owner of Designs by Dana, Jason Brunson and Mike Deye to learn more about tattoo flash (drawing) and culture. Dana introduced the artists of Visionaries and Voices to tattoo culture with vintage flash from Dana's tattoo collection, which he considers to be outsider art. Dana says that he connects with the artists at V&V because their works are outsider and visionary by nature like the works he loves and collects.

The goal of "Wild Life" is to include artists from the community in a way that would bring new ideas to V&V artists. The time spent with Dana and his staff sparked an enthusiasm in artists that reinforces V&V's goal of inclusivity. Over 60 pieces were selected to be exhibited in the show, including tattoo flash, illustrations, and landscape paintings.

On April 24th, from 5-8pm, the Banner and Ross Gallery will be transformed into a classic tattoo parlor for the opening reception of "Wild Life: Animal, Landscape, Skin." Everyone is invited to receive their very own temporary tattoo designed by a V&V artist. Dana and his staff will be showing off their personal work on themselves and their clients. Come, sit down and get your own tat, it's painless!

Visionaries & Voices is a non-profit arts organization created for artists with disabilities to succeed using art as a foundation for expression, education and inclusion. Our vision is that artists with disabilities are valued members of their communities, and that they have opportunities for continuous collaboration, creativity, learning, and fun. The mission of Visionaries & Voices is to provide artistic and cultural opportunities for artists with disabilities. We value a world in which artists with disabilities not only create and share their works of art, but also are given the chance to learn, work, collaborate, and celebrate with other community members.