*Recap* Chris Ryniak & Amanda Louise Spayd's 'Late Season' @ Stranger Factory 11.18.11

Chris Ryniak and Amanda Louise Spayd’s two-person critter extravaganza, Late Season, kicked off at Stranger Factory in New Mexico Nov. 18th. Comprised of new 2D and sculptural works from the Ohio-based artists, the exhibition explores the decay and rot of the harvest season, expressed in the form of critters. I had the opportunity to return to Albuquerque for the reception and, not surprisingly, the show was spectacular... want more, then hit the jump!

Let’s talk awesome stuff. First: Chris and Amanda set up the show unique to the theme of Late Season. Meaning, they created a sort of scene or world within the gallery for these characters to reside. Small creatures hid in mounted crates along the wall, others hung out on shelves or in bell jars … two were even riding an antique wagon full of dried leaves. In this room, it was easy to forget that the city is a sea of sand.

And then there were the critters, themselves. Any follower of Circus Posterus can attest that the demand for two artists has surged in the last couple of years. Their characters exude the most unconventional type of adorable out there, they’re all hand-crafted, limited edition and quite affordable. Consequently, to read that Late Season was a near sell-out before it even opened isn’t a shock in the slightest (and it has since sold out).

But all that aside — and apologies if the sappiness makes anyone gag — the artists brought as much charm to he show as their work, if not more so. Despite the numerous sleepless nights, the jet lag and the two days spent hanging the exhibition, Chris and Amanda arrived at the show with bells on. They made an effort to chat with everyone, stop for pictures and, as always, don their best ghoul faces.

“Since it’s the season for giving thanks and all that…I wanted to thank everyone involved in this community for embracing what we do and being so supportive, Chris wrote on the forums. "I’d like to thank Amanda for being a dream to work with. I kind of wish I could do every show with her because it was SO effortless in coming up with the theme, the color palette, and even installing the show. Thanks Mandi…high five for being a winning team. But I’d like to thank Brandt and Kathie most of all for supporting us and pushing us to do what we love and giving us a platform for which to do so. It feels wonderful to have a ‘home’ in the world.” (I couldn’t go about the mushiness alone.) Anyway, enough words! There’s a whole photo gallery awaiting your eyeballs below! And should you wind up in ABQ sometime soon, stop by the gallery and say hello — the critters leave town Dec. 4th.