Some of the city’s underexposed and underappreciated artists have come together for a special show opening Saturday at Gallery Lombardi.

The offbeat Surprise Me includes a mixed bag of contemporary drawings, photos, sounds, videos, mixed media paintings and fiber art. Local artist Josh Rios helped organize the show and called on a few of friends to join him — Ryan Lauderdale, Rachel Cook and Corkey Sinks.

Rios recently answered a few questions for Austinist about the importance of supporting local artists and why galleries aren’t the end-all-and-be-all for gaining recognition.

How did you get started in art?

I started as a studio person at Texas State University in San Marcos. I took two art classes then dropped out and moved to Austin to be a rock star. While in Austin I became a partner at Camp Fig, mainly because I showed up every opening and asked a ton of questions about the artists, and I went to high school with one of the guys that started it.

This led to meeting a bunch of art personalities who became my friends, and then eventually to opening Okay Mountain. I decided to be an artist again and started showing in everything. I never turned down anything. Now I do a lot less and sit around and think more and wait. I'm learning as I go. I recently moved back to San Marcos to attend Texas State again, this time for Art History.

How would you describe your art work?

Right now I think it has taken a very literary/conceptual turn. Each work has its own reason for being—I don't like to have an overarching theme or set of questions or concerns. I like to have a small poetic idea and let it churn, and not think too much about how it fits in with previous works. I'd rather do everything first and sort it out later, trusting myself to intuitively follow some trajectory.

I am starting to see certain things that are becoming more important, like the aesthetic and possibility of a photocopy or the Internet. I am starting to be [interested in] the idea of a show that is emailed to the gallery, or flyering as a way of both performing, disseminating information and getting away from gallery reliance. These are the tools I am starting to use, because I never wanted to be an artist [who] knows how to weld, make a lithograph, or cast a sculpture - that's why I quit being a studio person and started studying Art History. I try and use materials that I think make more of a connection to my everyday life.

This show features "underexposed" artists. How difficult is it to gain attention and recognition as an artist in Austin?

I wouldn't say "underexposed" as much as just busy elsewhere. It's not that hard to get attention - be daring like Errol Flynn swinging from a chandelier and don't give in to the puritanical work ethic. Learn the difference between being busy and accomplishing things. Make sure you use as much of your experience and as many of your thoughts as you can for your art practice.

That's the real key to me - make it all count, [because] you never know where the next idea is going to come from. Never have a dumb idea; just let them simmer and maybe one will gain momentum. Keep thinking about them. Let the insignificant rise up to the top on occasion. As far as getting recognition is concerned, I think it is a waste of time trying to figure this out. The main thing is to do your work. Be nice to people and be interested in what is going on - if you have to force these things then I think you'll have a much harder time at the art game. And always remember that there is not that much interesting competition around.

[Gallery Lombardi Exhibit Link]

Surprise Me will be on exhibit through Oct. 13.

Surprise Me Opening Reception
DJ set by DJ Lobstertail
Saturday, Sept. 15th,
Gallery Lombardi (602 W. 7th St. Ste. A)
7-10pm

How did you choose the fellow artists in Surprise Me?

I chose friends that I hadn't seen any large amount of work from. Mainly I was curious to see what they would do. The people in Surprise Me haven't been showing in Austin very much, even though they call it home. I wanted to let people here know what they are up to in an visual arts way. Rachel has been busy the last year curating, but she is an artist and I think people in Austin don't think of her that way because they haven't seen that side. Corkey shows in California where she just moved from, so people know she makes stuff, but they really haven't had a chance to see anything. Ryan was more about personal curiosity. I knew he was an artist and I saw him at every opening, but I didn't know what kind of work he made, so I had to find out. I also included myself, which I thought was kind of weird at first. I've warmed up to the idea.

Why is it important for people to support local artists and experience their work?

It is important because it helps build interest in a community and there is nothing like interest to create more interest. With interest comes some financial power, more spaces, and freedom to experiment — [thus] voices can be heard faster and new ideas have an easier time surfacing.