Recently recognized for his subversive Word Paintings, Wayne White takes cheap paintings found in thrift stores and paints humorous phrases into the environments of the original work. When he first showed these pieces there was some apprehension towards whether or not this was art. Eventually they gained popularity and acceptance along with it. This begs the question, is it popularity and a mass perception that pushes creations over the line into artwork. For White he has always needed to create and has tasted the highs (being one of the creators of Pee Wee's Playhouse) and lows of success. It is not the title of being an artist that interests him, but just being able to do the thing that makes him happy. A documentary that expands more on the life of this interesting character, "Beauty is Embarrassing", is a must see for artists straddling the border of socially acceptable art and the passion that drives them to produce the work they do.
By Sarah Sollner
By Sarah Sollner