Past Presents: Amy Johnquest aka BannerQueen ART EXTRAVGANZA!

Past Presents is a large site-specific survey of Johnquest’s recent works along with previously explored (yet shapeshifted) artistic endeavors. On view at the New England Visionary Artists Museum wing of the Anchor House of Artists, 518 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA from June 7th through July 27th

The public is invited to a multimedia extravaganza, Friday, June 14th, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Northampton’s citywide Arts Night Out.

During this event, the Holyoke Hummus Food Truck, which Johnquest designed and hand painted, will be dishing up the “YUM” out front. Projected in the back Performance Arena, Denis Luzuriaga will present the One Minute Vid Fest-Redux (of which Johnquest contributed 60 seconds), plus delightful tunes will be emanating from the musical saw maestro Violet Walker.

By using found objects, vintage photos, and textiles as her base, Johnquest (AKA the BannerQueen) alters and paints over these materials creating transcendent atmospheres. Ranging from the sublime to cosmic jokes, Johnquest likes to consider the big picture (life and death) in a reverent yet playful way. Johnquest obtained the moniker of BannerQueen in 1999 when she began painting sideshow banner themed art with a pop culture twist. Her work has been widely collected and shown. Much of her art continues to evoke a carnivalesque feel and it often advertises things that are not for sale or perhaps may not even exist.

Johnquest will be creating site-specific and interactive works throughout the large and unusual galleries at the New England Visionary Artists Museum. Also on view in the front lobby selected works by Anchor House of Artists, and in the Back End Gallery a mixed media joint exhibition with Michael Tillyer and Mark Brown.