Artwork by Ann-Marie Manker

Lashes for Ankles

2011-09-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Lashes for exposing your ankles, that is what you get if you're caught, when living in the capitol of Somalia. You're also not allowed to wear bras, listen to music or television or have gold teeth. I'm flabbergasted. Well there goes hip hop among other things. Another odd restriction is the banning of the delicious fried Samosa...the triangular shaped food item, as it too closely resembles the Christian trinity.
These new drawings are a base reaction to such extremes, which I find unacceptable, unlivable and unhealthy. I have a problem with extremes in general. Especially when personal beliefs are imposed on others or used as law. As a western artist, I purposely mirror the disconnect between myself and the oppression which happens around the world. I'm interested in drawing young girls, rebellious in nature, floating in a fantasy world where it is safe to live dangerously.

Hot in the City

2011-07-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

Atlanta can get very hot, muggy and humid during the summer. The combination of old fish in the trash and 100F can make for a super stew of maggots and other gross things squirming in the garbage bin. Bugs also come inside, attracted by the A/C, to beat the heat. The other night I watched a big roach wiggle on his back and slowly die his natural death. I think the reason they are so scary is because they are so fast. Their sensory systems are highly acute and they also don't mind running their course right towards you or flying right into your face. I think they embody both fight and flight, not one or the other. They are also brown....I think if they were pink, turquoise or some other attractive color, they wouldn't be so scary. The next time I draw one, it will look prettier.

Mail Art in the Summertime

2011-07-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

Just drew this today and shipped it off to Tempus projects in Florida for their mail art catalog and exhibit. Not sure what to call it. "Mystery Hug" comes to mind. This is a 7"x7" drawing of my new model Maggie V.

Oh Dang!

2011-06-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

Art Noveau Magazine just published a synopsis of an interview that I had regarding some of my favorite female artists. Look here !

Spring is in the air

2011-03-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

This article featuring my work was recently published in CommonCreativ. Now that Spring is in the air...it is time to get busy with new paintings....but first I have to move my studio! I'll be moving from Cabbagetown to Inman Park in April, so Springtime calls for cleaning out and moving to make way for new work which will unfold beginning May.

Softcore War

2010-09-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

In just 3 days, my exhibition of paintings and sculptural elements titled "Softcore War" will open with a reception at Whitespace Gallery, Friday, September 10th, 7-10pm. I've been working on this series since Springtime and I'm happy to have the work out of my studio and in the gallery! To read, listen and see more about this show, here are some links to check out. The first article was published in this Atlanta's Creative Loafing September 2nd issue. And thestudiovisit.com published a studio visit video, interview and images. There is also a preview in The Atlantan. and Burnaway. And Cathy Fox wrote this review in ArtsCriticATL.

Summer Lovin'

2010-08-07T13:22:00.001-07:00

Had me a blast in Washington D.C. My "Trip for Two" drawings were selected for "Body of Work: New Perspectives in Figure Painting" at the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington D.C. I flew up for the exhibition reception and gave two brief talks on members day. It is nice to show the work to a new audience. The show exhibits from July-Sept. 2010. Here is a brief review in the Washinton Post.

Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

2010-04-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to be a part of the "Tiger Tiger Burning Bright" Group show at Roq la Rue Gallery in Seattle which opens May 14th, 2010. My work will be alongside some of my favorite artists and the gallery owner Kirsten Anderson has such great taste! Check out the gallery's website for more info: Roq la Rue Gallery

Tiki Toes

2009-11-10T06:27:00.000-08:00

Started this painting at the Hambidge Residency program this Summer. Currently it is on display on the 5th floor, building C, at SCAD Atlanta for open studio night, Nov. 12, 2009....6 months later, it was purchased by SCAD and it now resides in their new Hong Kong campus.

Golden Blizzard Show Sat. Sept. 12

2009-09-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

Blizzard Sleeves:
new works by Golden Blizzard Art Collective.

The reception is from 6-10pm on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Kibbee Gallery

Kibbee Gallery has a great location.
It is in the house directly behind Fellini's restaurant on Ponce. The addres is 688 Linwood Ave.
Linwood is the street that both Felinni's and La Fonda Latina corner.

Volcanoes in Nashville

2009-05-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

The boys from Beep Beep Gallery, Atlanta, GA (James and Mark), brought our work to Nashville the weekend of May 1st. Jason Butcher and myself had a duo show at Nashville's Twist Gallery which opened May 2nd, 2009. James and Mark painted the walls seafoam green and pink to highlight our works on paper. Our show will be up for the month of May. This event is part of a gallery swap agreement between Twist Gallery and Beep Beep Gallery. The second weekend in May, Nashville artists will head south to exhibit their work here in Atlanta. www.twistartgallery.com

Fever Faker show in Tampa

2009-04-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

So I just finished 5 new paintings for a group show that's in Tampa. The show is called "Fever Fakers" and there are 5 of us from Atlanta representing Youngblood Gallery in the show. The exhibit opens Friday, April 24th at 5Art Gallery in west Tampa. Participating artists are myself, Joe Tsambiras, Sam Parker, Steven Dixey and Christina Vidal. We also created a collective drawing that we turned into a silk screened edition poster as well as a zine. See slideshow of Fever Faker Art.

Make Art Not War

2009-02-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog website...a place to view my recent works and artistic endeavors.