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ARTfactory to Feature Local Artist John
Hartt (Jortt) in “Up for
Interpretation” Solo Art Exhibit
Exhibit dates: August 4 – September 2, 2023
ARTfactory, 9419 Battle St, Manassas, VA 20110
Artist Reception: August 12, 6 pm – 8 pm
Exhibition Summary
The ARTfactory is pleased to announce our newest art exhibit “Up for
Interpretation” by local artist John Hartt (or Jortt) on display August 4 – September 2, 2023.
A free artist reception is scheduled for Saturday, August 12, 6 – 8 pm. “Up for
Interpretation” is Jortt’s second solo exhibition at the ARTfactory and
features a collection of original works. Jortt’s work is highly recognizable due to his distinctly vibrant color palette, pop art style, and his
use of imaginative and familiar Jortt characters such as Balloon Boy. Jortt incorporates unusual juxtapositions in his
paintings, such as a pickle burping butterflies, and unique personifications,
including a family of balloons with distinct personalities and facial expressions.
Jortt’s paintings evoke imagination and curiosity in all viewers, no matter
their age.
“Up for Interpretation” prompts the viewer to question what they see in each painting (and the story
being told behind the characters). All in all, Jortt’s artwork is Up for Interpretation.
“Something Wonderful”
This exhibition dovetails nicely with Jortt’s outdoor art exhibit “Something Wonderful” at the Harris
Pavilion (9201 Center Street) in Manassas, where viewers can use QR codes on
each piece of art to share the story they see with the artist. “Something
Wonderful” is on display at the Harris Pavilion June 17 through September 6. A reception will be held at the Harris
Pavilion on Friday, August 4 from
7:00-11:00 pm.
For
the installation of “Something Wonderful”, Jortt created 14 wonderful and out
of this world creatures. Each painting is an 8 foot tall character with a
different personality and a different story. These characters, whether alien,
robot tiki man, or something else, are designed to celebrate the diversity of
our community and spark conversation. Visit https://something-wonderful.com/ for more information.
About the Artist
John Hartt, also known as Jortt, is a local artist who has lived and worked in the Manassas
area for over two decades. John was the winner of the 2023 Kathleen Seefeldt
Award for Individual Artist. His goal as an artist is to make people smile. His
oddball style is a mix of lowbrow art, pop surrealism, and cartoonism painted
with hyper-intense colors and humorous undertones. From his impromptu art
gallery at the ManCave to his live paint sessions at Sinistral Brewery,
visitors to Old Town Manassas can always find Jortt art somewhere in town
whether on t-shirts, stickers, or prints. His artwork has also enhanced several
school playgrounds in the region, and he has painted murals in locales from
Fredericksburg to Washington, D.C. His current outdoor exhibit, “Something
Wonderful,” will be on display at the Harris Pavilion through September 6.
Check out all he has to offer at https://jortt.com/.
