On April 26th, Persons Unknown is delighted to present the wild and playful characters of Alfonse Aletto, in a survey show composed of paintings, drawings and small ceramic masks.  A self-taught artist born in Brooklyn, NY, Al now lives in the canyons of Santa Clarita where he relentlessly pursues painting and drawing in the small windows of time between full-time work, family dinner, drum practice and bed.  Considering how little time is available, Al is a confoundingly prolific artist.  He makes at least one painting per day!  And with that kind of output, that kind of scattershot image-making, come works of inventiveness, unrestrained imagination and high energy.  You can see his energy in the restless way he makes his marks, applies his paints, captures things out of thin air.  He dances with materials. This show, portraits of the bungled and the botched, are only a fractional cross-section in Al’s restless creative output. Without guile or pretense, Al uses his painting time to play games with form, explore novel textures, get weird.  We reap the benefits of his internal mining in images that are often surprising, off-beat, and full of charm.  A giant blue house smoking a cigarette, a pair of puppet-like kids boxing. Unvarnished, unguarded, and full of mischief, these portraits are funhouse versions of the faceless crowds and anonymous yahoos who people our world. 

Opening Reception on April 26th, from 7-10PM: snacks and refreshments for the bungled and botched. Show runs until May 20th.