Chet Zar for 'Oddfellows' @ Stranger Factory

"Gothic Apocalyptical Horror" is what I would describe the art and creations of Chet Zar. All manner of dubious characters with unspoken intentions populate his world seemingly bathed forever in night and dire remorse, and now framed for all prosperity in his show "ODDFELLOWS" at Stranger Factory, alongside tinkerer-supreme Doktor A. Sometimes I think it is NOT the characters who are framed, but are instead US, the viewers, looking thru the frame of their world, instead …


Currently exhibiting in Stranger Factory, "ODDFELLOWS" is a two-man show featuring the work of Doktor A ad Chet Zar. Online purchase enquiries begin May 6th @ 12noon PST. Check out the online preview (all images here via) and email them strangerfactorysales@gmail.com. (Additional images via Circus Posterus)


Also note that on Saturday, May 4th, Stranger Factory will also be presenting “Painting With Shadows: Darkness and the Creative Process” - a lecture and talk with exhibiting artist Chet Zar. Attendance fee is US$50, with the event starting 12noon thru to 2pm, at the Stranger Factory premises. Email strangerfactorysales@gmail.com to enquire.

PRESS: 'Zar will explain his own process for harnessing the darker side of creativity, and giving tips and tricks on how to utilize your own darker experiences and emotions in your work. This will be Zar’s first talk on why he prefers dark subject matter, and the talk will cover inspiration and artistic choices in Zar’s work, as well as his process and concepts.'

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Doktor A for 'Oddfellows' @ Stranger Factory

My particular love for the works of Doktor A, is "legendary" (but perhaps within my own mind) ... although I sometimes wonder how he is able to achieve what he has been able to? Not just the matter of skill and craft, but of the imagination in creation, not merely a "homage" existing licensed-characters, but of a continued invention and adding to the population of Mechtorians. These are not half-assed slap-on pieces and paints, but refined and completed instruments of toy-joy, aren't they?



I do not think all the work we've seen thus far are the be-alls and end-alls of his imagination. I sincerely believe he is just "tinkering" with them, teasing us and taunting us, of that day, when the world reverts and evolves into the realm of "steampunk", that would be the time he will truly cut-loose his wrath!

And if you think I wax lyrical and guild the lily to the max here, it is simply because I love Doktor A's work, and that should be enough explanation and resolution to your queries.

The image directly below is titled "Oddfellows" and is the collaboration of both Chet Zar + Doktor A, and is priced at US$12000 (Size: 21” x 13”). What did I saw about his level of craft?



Currently exhibiting in Stranger Factory, "ODDFELLOWS" is a two-man show featuring the work of Doktor A and Chet Zar. Online purchase enquiries begin May 6th @ 12noon PST. Check out the online preview (all images here via) and email them strangerfactorysales@gmail.com.

(Additional images via Circus Posterus)

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Custom-Feature: "Sebastian Whittler - Toy Maker" by Doktor A (for "Oddfellows" at Stranger Factory / May 3 launch)

"Renown throughout the land for their marvellous toys, Sebastian is one half of the famous Whittler brothers. He works miniature mechanical miracles with whatever comes to hand. Creating curious characters and fantastical clockwork facies for the discerning collector. He has the sense when he works that he is breathing a little bit of his soul into each of his creations. An odd idea as they are, after all only clockwork. Toy clockwork. Not real living clockwork like himself."

The TOY MAKER was made by Doktor A for his upcoming show "Oddfellows" at Stranger Factory, alongside Chet Zar, with the show launching May 3rd. Magnificent as it is "eerie", as sometimes I wonder with the precision and splendid customs from Bruce, was he indeed a "mechanical gentleman" tooling away on the pieces? (Heh). Check out more images posted on Spookypop.com

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