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Thomas Menikos

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Thomas Menikos is a tinkerer and doodler from Mansfield, Tx., his work is driven by personal narrative, his desire to connect with people, and his exploration of the smoke and mirrors behind the world of adulthood. Along with drawing, printmaking and sculpture, he stretches himself to work in forms such as video game design, packaging design , and furniture design. Thomas received his Master of Arts in Art in 2014 from the University of Dallas and is continuing his education towards a Master of Fine Arts.
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"In childhood it is called imagination, in adulthood-Self-Projection. My work draws  parallels between the worlds of adolescence and adulthood, and my life stories  become  the catalyst for me to explore these experiences and their resulting conclusions. Social parallels are the focus of these explorations. Specifically how the transition to  adulthood  denotes  a maturation that is  not entirely truthful,  apparent in  close  social  circles. The proverbial  smoke  and mirrors supporting the idea of adulthood, the shared pressures of performing to high standards and subsequent feelings of being an  imposter form the foundational tones of  the  work. I seek to present these mixed  experiences through the creation of lines of products. The consumption of these objects is meant to assist in the projection of one’s intended identity. They give space to think, laugh, and read just before appearing  in public. The objects arise from the nostalgia  for  products  of  entertainment  from  my  own  childhood,  and  the experiences that could only exist through the consumption of those products. Autobiographical narrative and  cynicism shape  the  means  in  which  I  create forums  where  commonalities  can  be  shared.Material aesthetics derive from my continuing focus on the notion of authenticity. Just as in social standings, inherent qualities of an entity become more and more pronounced, slowly become caricatures of their respective forms. My visual language speaks through naive representations of hybridized personal and historic iconography where imagery of astronauts and cold war  era space technology play on elements of unrealized projections of grandeur. The icon of the astronaut, being recognized by a spacesuit, and the humorously proclaimed best job by children, works as a mediating point within the work to incorporate ranges of work together, and to create a common identity that both myself and the audience can impress ourselves upon."

-Thomas Menikos, 2016
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Thomas Menikos: (TERRA)
May 7 - 28, 2016

Opening Reception
Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 7-10 pm


(TERRA) is an exhibition that provides a space in which the experiences of adolescence and adulthood can collide. Vaguely nostalgic, ad-hoc representations of childhood consumer goods beg to be perused and pondered, intending to find identity within authenticity, but ultimately straddling the realms between caricature and seriousness. Fundamentally, this exhibition seeks to comment on issues of identity, maturity, and charlatanism, as they become entangled in personal narrative. These comments are provided as products to be purchased and consumed, so as to create a mind space in which these issues can be examined on an intrapersonal level. 

Ro2 Art Gallery  | 214.803.9575 | 2606 Bataan St.,  Dallas, Texas 75212 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 12 - 5 PM 

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