On Saturday, July 9th, the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery debuts our exhibit The Quiet Rrriot: Visual Artists from the Riot Grrrl Movement. We're celebrating the long-awaited reissue of Megan Kelso's incredible collection Queen of the Black Black, and we're also featuring two of her contemporaries from the '90s Olympia-scene, Nikki McClure and Stella Marrs. Yesterday, we took a closer look at Stella's art, and today, we're gonna talk about Nikki!
Nikki and Megan were in the same year at the infamous Evergreen State College, and you can see the Olympia-influence in both of their work. Nikki's artwork graced the covers of releases from local labels K Records, Kill Rock Stars, and Yo Yo Recordings. She even did set design for the rock opera "The Tranfused." The program credits read like a Who's-Who of Oly artists:
Click here for a larger version on our Flickr page
By the way, look who played the role of "Corpse XY"!
Click here for a larger version on our Flickr page
Why, yes, that would be the Zack Carlson, editor of Destroy All Movies!!!: The Complete Guide to Punks on Film!!!
Nikki also produced zines in the '90s, such as Super Secret and The Great Chicken Escape.
You can get a better sense of Nikki's signature style in The Great Chicken Escape: intricate scenes that she depicts using an X-acto knife and black and white paper. Her images capture the beauty of Northwest nature, in painstakingly-crafted silhouettes.
Nowadays, her work adorns journals and calendars, t-shirts and tote bags. But you can see where it all began this Saturday at the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery! We'll have some of Nikki's originals on display, alongside originals from Megan and Stella. Plus, Megan and Nikki will give a brief talk at 7:00 pm, discussing the lasting legacy of Riot Grrrls, before their signing!
The Quiet Rrriot: Visual Artists from the Riot Grrrl movement by Megan Kelso, Nikki McClure, Stella Marrs
Opening Saturday, July 9th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Artists talk with Megan Kelso and Nikki McClure at 7:00 PM, followed by a book signing.
Exhibition continues through August 31, 2011
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108
206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
This event is free and all ages