Art Villain comes to San Carlos

Founded by Standefer, a self-taught sculptor and longtime Bay Area artisan, the new San Carlos gallery debuts more than 350 original works and various consignment pieces of surrealist-inspired assemblage and sculptural media. 

With just under a month to transform the once-bank space into a presentable art gallery for purchasable pieces, Standefer teased those passing by the shop on Laurel Street with pieces he hoped would inspire inquiry.

A sculpture of a cat in a birdcage with a bird flying above, provoked some negative reviews from passersby. For Standefer, the pieces are not supposed to instill discomfort, but reflect what he believes is fun and playful, however, he does not deny his eccentricity by any means. 

“Do I want to probe their reasoning and questioning of what is art? Yeah. I want to engage people,” Standefer said. 

The new space opened July 5, and includes works from his lifelong career spanning over 60 years. Standefer’s work integrates woodworking, mannequins, antiques and found objects into intricate — and even haunting — installations. 

The ability to dedicate an entire gallery to detailing the trajectory of his career spanning six decades is significant, Standefer said. In the Art Villain gallery, all of Standefer’s learning curves and eras of focus are on display.

Once working with stained glass and mosaics, Standefer’s personal catalog has evolved into elaborate sculptural pieces — but building things with his hands has always been something he’s loved. 

Standefer had a good 15-year run of showing and selling in galleries, but this new space allows him to showcase his vast array of works at his own accord. For the last 30 years, Standefer has shifted to focus solely on his own work, and the gallery space finally allows him to present his dedication. 

“Like most artists, if you’re showing and selling in a gallery, it becomes a trap,” Standefer said. “They want more art if it’s selling, artists dumb down their work to produce faster and faster. I wanted to produce for me.” 

Randomness of movement and uncomfortable interpersonal relationships are common themes in Standefer’s work, and each piece is meant to convey a narrative. 

“I want you to feel what she feels,” Standefer said referencing one of his mannequins dressed in a wedding gown weighed down by a boxing glove.

“I’m building a narrative of every piece,” Standefer said. “I’m personally invested in it. It takes a long time.”

Working with found pieces and antiques is a long game — Standefer said he has kept pieces found at shops from around the world for upwards of 10 years before he incorporates it into a sculpture. 

“It’s 50 years of collecting,” Standefer said. 

Other than his own collection, the Art Villain gallery has other featured purchased pieces and collected artwork available for purchase as well, including the Sphynx by Leonor Fini, and a deconstructed 1963 Volkswagen Beetle turned into a huge green frog made in Australia. 

Standefer’s work reflects his extensive European travels where an affinity for antiques and surrealism took root. As pieces are purchased, a rotating collection will be brought out for sale. The gallery will also consign for sale previously collected art and heirlooms, Standefer said. 

The underlying aesthetic is eccentric, handcrafted art that provokes curiosity and questioning of what art really is, Standefer said. 

“Do I see you putting these pieces in your living room? No. It’s a collector’s piece,” Standefer said. 

The gallery, located at 780 Laurel St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, or by appointment. Go to art-villain.com to learn more.