Thursday, March 25, 2010

Grinders West holding art tables auction tonight

Posted by Jonathan Bender on Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 10:00 AM

click to enlarge Comic Monkey is artist Matt Hawkins "art table" for Grinder's West.
  • Comic Monkey is artist Matt Hawkins "art table" for Grinder's West.

Grinders West is literally selling the tables off the floor. Don't worry, the pizza shop and deli isn't going anywhere.

The restaurant is holding an art table auction tonight -- selling the tables that feature commissioned pieces from Kansas City artists across a variety of media. Proceeds from the auction benefit the artists and are used by Grinders West to continue the art tables program.

Cocktails and a preview of available tables start at 6 p.m. The auction begins at 7 p.m.

click to enlarge Comic Monkey is artist Matt Hawkins "art table" for Grinder's West.
  • Comic Monkey is artist Matt Hawkins "art table" for Grinder's West.

Bidders on the art tables can choose to hang the artwork on the wall -- the pieces are 30 inches by 30 inches -- or keep the piece as a table by purchasing the base and glass frame for an additional charge. This collection of tables features art pieces from Paul Mesner Puppets, Chris Bell, Jori Jerbert, Taj Mattingly, Taylor Triano, and Stretch.

The next series in the art table project will be officially unveiled on April 2 during First Friday in the Crossroads. One of the artists who will debut at Grinders West is papercraft artist Matt Hawkins.

The inspiration for his table came from sitting on his back porch with his guitar during one of the first sunny days this spring.  

"I just thought how nice it is to sit outside and play music, and how nature probably prefers music over the rest of the noise we make. It's about being in harmony with nature," Hawkins says.

Comic Monkey is artist Matt Hawkins "art table" for Grinder's West.
  • Comic Monkey is artist Matt Hawkins "art table" for Grinder's West.

Fans of Hawkins' work will recognize the Comic Monkey character, who is the centerpiece of the 2.5 inch tall table. The interior of the table is made of chipboard, spray paint and colored paper. If it seems like all of the characters are happy to be there, it's intentional. 

"I was conscious that people were going to be eating on this, that's another reason, I probably took it in a more pleasant direction," says Hawkins, "Ultimately, this is about having fun. I'm not worried about making a deep, overhand statement with this one."

[Comic Monkey image courtesy of Matt Hawkins]

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