Local artists push the limits with art work

HAMBURG — On Saturday, July 18, an art duo called "Supergood" is going to make its debut gallery exhibition with a collection called Room and Bored at Art Etc in Hamburg.

Garret Torres and Johnny Moroz dub their work, "part sarcasm, part controversy, and all talent."

"Supergood" is about pushing the limits and is determined to bring the contemporary art scene back to the forefront in New Jersey.

Growing up artisticTorres is a Sussex County native having grown up in Vernon.

"I was always into drawing and computer graphics, but it wasn’t until college when I realized that I was into photography," he said. "Though I never imagined I’d be where I am today, I’ve turned my passion into a career as a wedding photographer, and I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Moroz grew up in Mahwah and said, "For as long as I can remember I’ve been drawing or painting."

As a child he said he would often draw comics of the cartoon TV shows "Ren & Stimpy" or "Hey! Arnold."

"I don’t really think there was a point in my life that I ever stopped drawing or expressing myself through art," Moroz said.

The two met at Montclair State University during their freshman year.

"We were in a lot of the same classes, so we got to talking and hanging out on campus and making prank phone calls to 'ladies of the night' on craigslist," said Torres.

Moroz went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York after that year, but the two got together one day, three years later and began hanging out again.

"Supergood""Supergood" was something they created almost accidentally.

"Because we were both always into visual arts, a lot of the things we did while hanging out had to do with photography, painting, making videos, and all sorts of things like that," said Torres. "We each brought our own artistic something to the table."

"Once we had amassed a decent collection of work, we figured we should get a website to show it off," said Moroz. "Instead of using our names on the website, we decided to call ourselves "Supergood". It’s just easier that way."

"Any art student will tell you that most of what you learn about works of art in school is either speculative, pretentious, or downright boring," Torres said. "Our goal is to create concrete images that are pleasing to the eye and easy to understand."

Moroz added, "Sure, a photo of a mountain can be pleasing and easy to understand, but we choose to differentiate our work by making pieces that contain nuances and subtle jokes."

The artists aim to incorporate things and icons that are familiar to a wide audience with other subjects that may be considered taboo, especially in this area.

"If you were to go to a gallery in Chelsea, N.Y., the content is much more risqué than what we’re used to in Sussex County, and that’s what we’re trying to bring to the forefront of the art scene in northern New Jersey," said Torres.

Mature audiencesThe artists said that their families know very little about their work.

"As we mentioned, a lot of it is taboo and intended for mature audiences, so it’s not the kind of thing a couple of 25-year-old guys talk to their parents about. Having said that, our girlfriends, Meghan and Melissa have been our biggest fans and supporters. They’re always the first ones to see our new work and sit through our videos. On top of that, Meghan was actually the inspiration for our name, as she habitually told Johnny that our work was 'super good.'"

Room and Bored will be their first gallery exhibition and they said they couldn’t be more excited.

"It’s been a pleasure working with Marshall and Angelica at Art Etc, and we’ve learned so much from the experience so far," Torres said.

This is also the first time that "Supergood" will be selling art. They will be selling everything from photos to magazines to figurines and more.

The opening for Room and Bored is on July 18, and Moroz says, "It's going to be so much more than just a few photos hanging on the walls of a gallery."

There will be food and drinks (for everyone 21 and over), music, installations, giveaways at the door, plenty of people to meet and talk to, a chance to get to know the artists, and an after party.

"We’re creating a kind of art event that Sussex County has yet to experience," said Torres. "And hopefully some other artists and galleries will take notice and see that it’s okay to go against the norm."