ROGER ANTHONY MAPES
Bio:
Roger Anthony (Tony) Mapes; painter and performance artist was born and raised in Muscle Shoals, Alabama - "The Hit Recording Capital of the World" and the birthplaces of Helen Keller and W.C. Handy. The Muscle Shoals area was populated by an abundance of musicians and visual artists/painters. I began studying painting and drawing at a young age with local artists and was encouraged to develop my own unique vision. I was and still am inspired by the works of Picasso, Dali, Bacon, 60's POP artists, and old black& white horror movies.
As an adult, my vision grew to become an abstract expressionist/surrealistic/sci-fi way of painting dreamscapes on canvas using acrylic paint, house paint, found objects, and assorted other media. I interpret energies from spiritual, supernatural, and otherworldly forces. I read a lot of sci-fi authors such as Frank Herbert, Octavia Butler, and Vernor Vinge. I am also very interested in the channeled writings of SETH. These ideas and characters from novels and readings show up in my paintings as powerful and sometimes disturbing images in beautiful colors.
I consider myself an Outsider Artist. I found that Jean Dubuffet's description of outsider art from 1949 still holds true for me in many respects today. Dubuffet described a basic definition of outsider art as including works produced by artists "responding to an urgent and personal need to make artworks. And,who don't self-consciously follow any tradition." Although I have studied and am influenced by Abstract Expressionism.. I don't purposely follow that tradition. I use it as a leaping off point for exploration into my psyche.
RESUME:
BA Painting and Drawing, The University of North Alabama, Florence, AL,1980.
MA Theatre, The University of Memphis, Memphis,TN,1983.
Certificate of completion from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York, New York,1986.
MFA Performance Art, Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont,1996.
From 1997-2004 Roger Anthony Mapes performed as YOLANDA singer/songwriter/gender warrior with his/her band "Yolanda and the Plastic Family". Roger created the character "Yolanda”, wrote the music, created the costumes, toured and recorded with his/her band. For more information go to: www.yolanda.net.
Roger's artwork has also been seen in Billboard Magazine as cover art for 2 pull- out special music "zines" called "ON THE TIP". Roger's artwork has been the cover art of 2 cd covers from the now defunct "Strictly Rhythm" dance music record label. Roger's works have also been shown at The Leslie Lohman, Ward-Nasse, and CBGB Galleries; Webster Hall, The Shelter, and The Limelight nightclubs-all in NYC. Roger's works are in private collections throughout the USA.
Contact:
www.rogeranthonymapes.com
