October ArtHop picks: Mac Mechem gets political at Fresno Arts Council
By Donald Munro
If it’s presidential election season, you don’t have to look far to find Mac Mechem. The artist has an intensely political streak. And within the past eight years, that passion is directed toward one man in general. Let’s put it this way: The Republican National Committee is not going to be flocking to his newest exhibition, at the Fresno Arts Council.
The show, titled “Trumpocracy Exposed,” is one of the highlights on Thursday, Oct. 3, of ArtHop, the monthly open house of galleries and studios in the downtown and Tower District neighborhoods. Most venues are open 5-8 p.m. For a complete list, go to the Fresno Arts Council’s website.
I caught up with Mechem to ask a few questions about the show:
Q: Are all these new work related to 2024, or do you include any of your stuff from the Trump presidency?
A: These works cover the whole spectrum of Trump’s political career, right up to a few months ago.
Q: What is your favorite piece? Can you describe it?
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A: My favorite has to be Trumpopotamus Visits The Lincoln Memorial. It shows Trump, as the fattest hippo you have ever seen, standing in front of the Lincoln statue. Close behind his fat bottom is Mike Pence, dressed in a hazmat suit, holding a shovel next to a wheelbarrow filled with Trump poo doing what he always did best. Lincoln is looking down on this mess with a mighty scorn.
Q: Have you lost friends/acquaintances because of your political art?
A: One of my best friends is a Trumpist. We never discuss politics.
Q: Does your art make you laugh or cry?
A: I attempt to use humor in most of my art. I laugh a lot and think, “Did I actually do that? And, yes, a few of my works do bring a tear to my eye.
Q: How will you spend election night?
A: My wife and I will be glued to the tv from the get go. We feel that the night will be one of the most important events in American history.
Other ArtHop picks:
SCARAB CREATIVE ARTS: Maggie Courtis writes:
We’ve got something exciting going into our gallery for October. Seven new Scarab Creative Arts studio members are displaying their work, 2 and 3D. Chieko Delgado is the illustrator for the new Mas Masumoto book coming soon. Some of her paintings used in the book are in the exhibition.
FIG TREE GALLERY: Michael McDowell is the featured artist with a show titled “Litany of Excuses.”
From his artist’s statement: “I have practiced as an artist for many years and have found that the investment in art-making has played a major role in justifying my existence….”
DOWNTOWN ARTIST GALLERY: Featured exhibition is “Art of the Pun.” Participating artists are Michael Murphy, Myrna Axt and Jan Flanagan.
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