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Seattle Metropolitan magazine - August 2008
"Anatomy of an Artist"
As a 98-pound kid who regularly got the snot kicked out of him, Seattleborn artist Jim Riswold learned one of life’s truths early on: “Bad people don’t mind being called bad people, but they sure as hell don’t like being laughed at.” As a grown-up he created the famous Michael Jordan–Bugs Bunny basketball commercials and the 1990s Bo Jackson “Bo Knows” Nike spots for Portland’s Wieden+Kennedy. Since then the former ad exec has turned to “absurd realism.” He photographs sardonic portraits of iconic artists like Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol (pictured), styled from dollhouse furniture, wooden blocks, dolls, and other childhood toys. He also makes Hitler wedding cakes, Jesus-themed Easter baskets, and Mao Tse-tung baby bibs.
Viewers aren’t always sure exactly where the punch line falls, but his artwork is
defi nitely funny. It’s supposed to be funny. Right? He laughs, “Some people don’t
think it’s very fucking funny at all.” —Lee Fehrenbacher
JIM RISWOLD
Thru Aug 16
Tue–Fri 11–5:30; Sat 11–5
G. Gibson Gallery, 300 S Washington St
206-587-4033 | www.ggibsongallery.com
Copyright Seattle Metropolitan 2008
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