The Surrender of Helios By Kris Kuksi (Mixed Media Assemblage)

If you enjoy visual works of art that explore rich worlds of myth and fantasy, while offering endless potential for imaginative extrapolation on the part of the viewer, you’ll flip over the work of Kansas-based artist Kris Kuksi. Very accurately described as containing a “stunning excess of detail,” Kuksi painstakingly assembles his gothic-renaissance-steam punk-esque sculptures from countless layers of found objects ranging from statues and figurines, skulls, taxidermied animals, altar pieces, dolls, jewelry, miniature army men and even the lower half of a tank – all treated with misted coats of grey/white paint that give each piece the look and feel of an unearthed ancient treasure. In this way, Kris Kuksi creates miniature worlds that you can easily get lost in. Of course, the foundation for each of Kuksi’s works is his vast and wildly engaging imagination. Trust me that the “Oh Wow” factor is off the charts for Triumph, an exhibit comprised of a dozen of Kuksi’s assemblages, one large scale painting and an installation of the artist’s Churchtank sculpture series, which is given the run of the Liner Gallery’s rear room. Triumph is lots of fun and a must-see exhibit. Find out more on the art of Kris Kuksi at his website, Kuksi Dot Com.

Kris Kuksi’s Triumph will be on Exhibit through April 7, 2012 at the Joshua Liner Gallery, 548 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor, Chelsea.