There’s Gold in Them There Mountains

You can call it lowbrow art, pop surrealism or just plain ‘ol weird, but the work now on display at Okay Mountain features some of the best (and mind-blowingly bizarre) works by emerging California artists.

The show, titled Gold Rush, was curated by John Trippe, the founder of FecalFace.com – a one-time underground art zine in San Francisco which evolved into an online community and blog that now features interviews, art, photos and event calendars.

As for the putrid sounding name of the popular site that attracts 11,000 visitors a day, Trippe said it just happened to be catchy at the time and could be blamed on immature humor.

“I, of course, had no idea that it was to grow to what it is today,” he said. “I've thought of changing the name over the years, but what's the point? It's helped to keep us below the radar. I guess I like to be on the fringe.”

Gross name or not the site has caught the attention and the imaginations of dozens of artists, many of whom are part of the Gold Rush Show.

“I selected artists for this show that I thought would mesh well together,” Trippe said. “They've all been associated with the site for a few years now and are an example of the type of work we like to promote. They each have their own styles and mediums with leanings toward illustrative work heavy on distinct lines.”

The exhibit runs through Feb. 9