Gallery on 43rd Street presents Rust Belt Freak Show, a solo exhibition of new work by mixed-media artist, Robert Villamagna. Comprised of over two dozen works, this will be Villamagna’s first solo show in the Pittsburgh region in three years.

Villamagna’s works are primarily made up of deconstructed metal product containers, old doll houses, signage, and found objects. To create his works, Villamagna shears the cans and doll houses into sheets, dividing the material by color and value. “I create a palette with these materials, much as a painter would”, says Villamagna. These materials are cut into shapes and mounted on wood panels using nails. Lots of nails. “There is a real physicality to this process,” Villamagna says. Growing up in the industrial area in along the Ohio River, combined with working in a steel mill for 13 years, Villamagna feels the used, gritty, oxidized materials fit him.

To understand the range of subjects of Villamagna’s art, just review some of the titles of the work: “Hunting Aliens”, (a man shooting at flying saucers from his vintage convertible automobile), “The Man with the Searchlight Eyes”, (a man searches the sky with eyes that are light beams), and “Who the Hell is Deborah Butterfield?”, (a man rides a horse, whose hide is covered with the biography of artist Deborah Buttrifield).

Robert Villamagna lives and makes art in Wheeling, WV. He has taught art at West Liberty University since 1996.