artists
Scott Harbison
SCOTT HARBISON is a self-taught Newark based artist. He grew up in northern New Jersey, At an early age, he developed a fascination with cartoons. Somewhat introverted, he daydreamed his way through his childhood school years, but consistently turned to drawing to calm his overly active mind.
Scott developed an interest in rock music in his early teens and joined an original rock band that would have him in the punk rock scene in New York’s East Village. At the age of 15, he fronted a band and performed at famous NYC haunts like Max’s Kansas City and CBGB’s. This chapter led to a decades long battle with substance abuse. Despite this, Scott managed to start a family, birth several other original rock bands and started his own plastering and painting business.
Years later, with the help of a recovery program, he achieved sobriety and has been sober to the present time. With a new lease on life, Scott delved back into his love for painting, tirelessly creating on a daily basis.
Scott’s work is immediately recognizable. His figures pop out from the canvas, sometimes defying the viewer to challenge them and other times stunning and surprising them. At times, his creatures interact in ways that are sometimes shocking and disturbing, but never boring.
Scott’s work has been exhibited at several galleries including Akwaaba Gallery in Newark, Ivy Brown Gallery in Manhattan and Barsky Gallery in Hoboken. In 2022, he completed a residency At ESKFF / Mana Contemporary.
Artist Statement
In 2018, I became a painter. An artist. I am a product of the '70s and I spent my life in the fine state of New Jersey—the most wonderful state of them all. As a result of stuff that happened, choices, substances, fate, and probably pollution, I have formed an imagination that describes an environment I understand to be worthy of depicting ... possibly a cautionary tale ... where all life forms, including otherworldly ones, merge and coexist…sometimes peacefully, sometimes not. In a sense, I am leaving behind hieroglyphics, useless to anyone unless they are interested in my version of a not-too-distant reality. I usually do the work in my house in Newark. I use paint.
Curators
Laurie Pettine, Guest Curator
Laurie Pettine is a mixed media artist. Ms. Pettine earned a BFA Illustration from Parsons School of Design/New School. Ms. Pettine has spent the past two decades showing her artwork at various galleries in New Jersey including Pro Arts Jersey City, Visual Arts Center of NJ Summit, Studio Montclair Leach Gallery, Trenton Artworks, BSB Gallery Trenton, Rotunda Gallery Metuchen, Art in the Atrium Morristown, Atlantic Highlands Council, Artfront Galleries Newark, Index Arts Newark, Raven Gallery Jersey City, Speakeasy Gallery Boonton, The Art Guild of NJ Rahway, West Windsor Arts Gallery and Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster. She exhibited at Art Fair 14C 2021 “Maidens & Martyrs” booth with fellow Pro Arts members Christy O’Connor and Leslie Sheryll. Pettine’s home, studio, family and three dogs are in Mendham Township, Morris County, NJ.
Email: diorama4mama@gmail.com
Website: http://www.chaoticattractors.com
Instagram: @lauriepettineart
Christy Lewis, Curator
Her paintings are meant to empower women everywhere to embrace their inner and outer selves. More recently, her art has connected with her yoga practice, as she aims to capture the aura and energy of other inspiring yogis. She is currently working with End of Elm to display a rotating exhibit of local talent, as well as implementing the mural program. If you are an artist interested in collaborating, please do not hesitate to contact her.
Email: c.bones.lewis@gmail.com
Website: http://www.artbybonesy.com
Instagram: @artbybonesy
