Print edition: 
He’s been in zombie movies. He’s made music videos. He’s even had his art critiqued by Stephen Colbert. Wade Hampton has been a busy man recently; so busy that he hasn’t had a solo exhibit in four years.
On Saturday, the popular Wichita artist will host a homecoming of sorts at Naked City Gallery. His “Home Sweet Home” show will feature fresh works. It also will debut a video that illuminates the dark intricacies and playful icons found in his pieces.
“I still consider myself an artist,” Hampton joked. “I’ve been busy with other projects lately, though.”
Hampton has produced music videos for the rock band Gooding and had a part in Rod Pocowatchit’s locally filmed zombie flick “The Dead Can’t Dance.” He’s been a well-regarded fixture in the arts community for years. He’s had multiple shows at galleries across town. He earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Wichita State University and works as a graphic designer for Spectrum Promotional.
He said this event promises to be an exciting affair.
“I have put a lot of pressure on myself to make this larger than a typical show,” he said. “I’ve been working non-stop for 4½ months. I needed to go big.”
Hampton crafted 100 pen-and-ink drawings, 19 paintings and 17 framed works on paper that debut for the occasion. Those familiar with his style will notice some novel dimensions to those pieces.
“For this event, I’ve tried to be more colorful,” he said. “Some people think my work is too dark. There are a lot of light blues, yellows, reds and soft oranges in this crop of paintings.”
The theme of the show fulfills a long-held intention.
“I’ve always wanted to do a show where every single piece said ‘Home Sweet Home.’ Literally every work in this show says that,” Hampton explained. “Even the pieces with skulls have those words. I guess it makes all of my stuff a bit homier.”
The drawings are a parade of random objects and images, often endowed with gregarious personas. The subjects are largely straightforward, in contrast to some of his more abstract paintings. One features a smiling rabbit, devilishly showing off a set of razor-sharp teeth. Others appear to be alien-like creations. Hampton said the sketches are just images that popped into his mind.
“I’m at a point creatively where I am sort of over the angst that is inherent with youth. I’m not trying to create any deep social movement here,” he said. “I’m more interested in the execution of the piece than I am the subject matter.”
Hampton’s paintings are complex creations, deeply saturated with colors and shapes. Darting eyes gaze upon fluid landscapes. Bodiless faces float in the air. Angelic crowns and red crosses decorate foreheads. Other works are more straightforward, featuring mysterious women possessing ethereal qualities. He plays with several themes in his works, including the contrasting of mother/child and angel/devil. Faces play a prominent role.
“I have this obsession with faces, especially with painting red across a face,” he said.
As viewers take in the paintings and sketches, they also will be introduced to an entrancing video. Hampton wove together a montage that brings his art to life. Using friends as his models, many of the tropes from his paintings are acted out. “Home Sweet Home” is the title and the theme of the film. It centers on a wedding but simultaneously swirls around the colorful, complex world inherent in his art. A hair-raising rabbit with long, black blades for fingers dances in rave-like fashion with the bride and groom. Hampton himself explodes paint onto canvases. Placid scenes punctuate foreboding music. The eight-minute film will play in loop throughout the event.
“At all my shows I have videos,” he said. “I want people to get a little more than just works on the wall. I want them to feel like they are attending an event.”
