SpongeBob KustomPants Art Show
Savannah creators come together to celebrate the little yellow guy.
A few months ago I received a note from a distributor about some random items found in the back of its warehouse. Amongst that detritus of comic book mayhem was a case of SpongeBob SquarePants Design-Your-Own Superhero vinyl figures. They look like this:
So, I picked up a case of them on the cheap. Now… what to do with them…
Y’all. The shop has amazing friends. So, I reached out to a handful of folks with the idea of hosting a customized SpongeBob vinyl exhibit. In short order, I had in my hands 12 of the coolest, raddest, funkiest figures around. All one of a kind. All donated to the shop. Lets. Go.
Tittybats, Maxx Feist, SCAD grad students and professors, shop owners, Kustom Hustle tattoo artists and our neighborhood pals and comic creators went all out and we’re psyched to share them with you.
You can bid on these figures via the link below:
All proceeds go to the shop, thanks to the donations from the artists. Y’all rock.
The press release is below, for you newsy types.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
**Art Show Announcement: "Spongebob Kustompants"**
Savannah, Georgia - April 1, 2024 - A unique art exhibition is set to captivate audiences in Savannah, Georgia, as twelve local artists showcase their creativity by reinterpreting the iconic television character Spongebob Squarepants using 5-inch vinyl toys. The show, aptly titled "Spongebob Kustompants," promises to blend nostalgia with contemporary artistry, offering fresh perspectives on the generation-defining cartoon character.
The participating artists, hailing from diverse backgrounds and artistic styles, will each bring their own flair to the exhibit, resulting in a dynamic and visually stimulating collection. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of interpretations, from whimsical and colorful designs to more abstract pieces.
Each artist was presented with the same base figure - SpongeBob Squarepants dressed as a superhero - and then customized the toy to their liking. Some are straight repaints, others are manipulated to the point of being unrecognizable.
"Spongebob Squarepants has been a cultural phenomenon for over two decades, and we wanted to explore how this character could inspire our local artists," said Lee Heidel, the managing partner of Neighborhood Comics and curator of the exhibition. "The artists have truly outdone themselves, creating fresh, fun and fantastical sculptures.”
The exhibition will be held at Neighborhood Comics, located just south of Forsyth Park in Savannah, from April 1-30. The opening reception will take place on Friday, April 5 at 6PM, as a part of the Starland District’s First Friday Art Walk. The public is invited to bid on these sculptures via a silent auction.