YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A special exhibition opened Saturday at the Butler Institute of American Art: Legendary KISS frontman Paul Stanley was in town to reveal his first exhibition at the museum—called “The Other Side”—during a special reception.
It’s safe to say that Stanley is “larger than life.” You can see this in his appearances on and off stage, and through his artwork. The color grabs your attention, as if it were jumping off the canvas.
“For me, color stands for attitude — and for me, life is vibrant and it should be a blast,” said Stanley.
An explosion of creativity, colorful dancing on a canvas – for Stanley, art has never been about perfection. It was about expression, passion and rush of feelings.
“My life is vibrant and from my own doing. It doesn’t happen by chance. You are committed to making your life what you want it to be.”
The legendary singer/songwriter has been charting for 20 years now.
The exhibition, The Other Side, features 16 works, and several self-portraits of his KISS character “Starchild”. Others are nods to music and movie stars, and some pieces are abstract—many with an image of an electric guitar while stars, hearts, and flags float offstage.
“It’s very humbling—I started out with the idea of painting for myself,” said Stanley, “and I had no idea I would ever show anyone, and certainly no idea of anyone buying my art.”
Lou Zona, the museum’s executive director, said the work captures the essence of our visual world.
“Art should lift our spirits – I think it should and his work certainly does that on many levels,” Zona said. “We are so grateful that he has chosen the Butler Institute for his first exhibition at the Youngstown Museum.”
Stanley said his art is a reflection of his life.
“I always thought to myself I don’t have a ‘why’ attitude but a ‘why not’ – why don’t you try something when you’re terrified? It’s usually because other people tell you what’s impossible, and the people who tell you what’s impossible are the ones who fail – So misery loves company,” Stanley said. “A lot of people don’t want you to succeed at something, but I’m here to tell you that, again, if you give yourself the chance, you’ll be surprised at what you can do.”
Saturday’s reception for the opening of Stanley’s exhibit “The Other Side” was also a fundraiser for the museum, helping to fund Butler’s access efforts.
You can view this artwork from Sunday through October 8th.
. “Professional creator. Lifelong thinker. Reader. Beer buff. Troublemaker. Evil problem solver.”