Harley Spencer
Harley Spencer is a highly accomplished independent artist who was born in the USSR in 1986. After graduating from art school, she moved to the United States where she initially worked as a book illustrator before striking out on her own as an artist.
Spencer established her first art studio in the East Village of New York.
In 2016, she had a successful exhibition in her own gallery on 34th Street and 7th Avenue, and her paintings and sculptures have been sold to international collectors all over the world. Her work can also be seen in various Manhattan establishments, such as Local 92 and as window decor at a store on West Broadway and Spring Street.
Despite her excellent art education, Harley's style is characterized by a playful, childlike quality that speaks to the inner child in all of us. Her art is a nostalgic tribute to the innocence and simplicity of childhood, and includes elements from the 80s and 90s that evoke memories of a simpler time.
Many of Harley's artworks feature the use of formulas and diagrams, reminiscent of a school blackboard, and pay homage to the knowledge and wisdom of the past. The most recurring element in her art is the image of a sheep blowing bubble gum. She also creates sculptures of them and paints each one individually, placing them in vintage frames.
These sheep represent the contemporary consumer, who has lost their distinct personality and individuality, and instead become absorbed by the prevailing market and mass media. The act of sheep blowing bubble gum underscores the monotony and uniformity of consumer culture, where everyone follows the same popular trends and wants. This piece is a thought-provoking examination of the decline of individuality in modern society and the influence of consumerism on our experiences.
In 2018, Harley Spencer relocated to Miami to further explore the art scene in Florida.
Harley is inspired by the mass market and its influence on society. Through her art, she aims to remind people of the importance of connecting with nature and avoiding getting too caught up in the material world. Her use of vibrant colors is a testament to the therapeutic power of art and her belief that color can help people overcome their own struggles, much like it helped her overcome depression.
Overall, Harley's art is a celebration of the beauty of childhood, and a reminder of the importance of never losing touch with our inner child.
One of her projects to date is her legendary "Bad Ass Tarot Decks" that she created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those tarot decks help people delve deeper into themselves and understand their problems. Her tarot deck stands out for its distinctive design, which deviates from the traditional decks commonly used. The "competition" card features multiple male genitalia of varying sizes, while the card that symbolizes insincere individuals is depicted as a panty sniffer. The "news or message" card is represented by an envelope containing the results of STD tests. The decks have gained a great deal of popularity, particularly during the lockdown, as people became more introspective and focused on their inner selves. To this day, thousands of online bloggers around the world still use these tarot decks for both online and private readings.
Presently, Harley Spencer is based in her art studio in Fort Lauderdale and is actively working on her 2023 collection, set to launch in June 2023.