"What does all of this stuff say about us as a culture? I try to paint this ‘Stuffology.’ It is this stuff that makes up contemporary pop culture, and it is worth the time and effort to place it in a painting for examination and contemplation."
Pat Hobaugh grew up on a small farm in rural Indiana. He never took an art class or touched a paintbrush until his senior year in college when he took an Art History course that changed his life. He fell in love with the Old Masters and started to teach himself to paint. After several years of self-education, he went back to school to earn bachelors and masters degrees in painting from The University of Iowa and The University of Wisconsin-Madison, respectively. Now he is represented by galleries across the country and has work in collections around the world. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Artist Statement
When Anthropologists want to learn about a forgotten culture in the jungles of Central America, or on the islands of the Mediterranean, they collect tools, dishware, ornaments, and figurines. These objects are often all that can speak for a long silenced people. I think about this when I walk through a Wal-Mart, Bed Bath and Beyond, or a Grocery store. What does all of this stuff say about us as a culture? I try to paint this ‘Stuffology.’ It is this stuff that makes up contemporary pop culture, and it is worth the time and effort to place it in a painting for examination and contemplation.
Now, a couple of generations removed from my childhood, I also think it is worthwhile to compare the toys, food, and influences of one generation to the next. And, although the contemplation of a youth lost and the realization of getting older can be depressing, it doesn’t have to be. So, I set up these comparisons in my still-lifes with underlining comedy because a smile is always better than the alternative.
Studio Visit with Pat Hobaugh Video
"Popeye's Saturday Night" Stop motion Video