WEB EXTRA: Ryan Humphrey's Honky Space Ship

Artist Ryan Humphrey brings the gritty, gearhead culture of cars into the gallery space at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in a solo exhibition called Empty Thoughts, Lame Excuses, and Decorative Lies. It's a title that mocks the names of other art shows.

By Laura Spencer

Kansas City, MO – In the exhibit, Humphrey explores personal experiences and issues of identity through customized and reworked car parts. The sounds of his youth influence and accompany the works from Van Halen to 1980s and 90s hip hop. One work is a tricked out BMW hood with black and white stripes on a red background. Another, called Honky Space Ship, evolved out of his experience growing up biracial.

Ryan Humphrey: Empty Thoughts, Lame Excuses, and Decorative Lies continues through July 2 at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City.