Biography
About The Artist
'''Happy Grave''' , (born April 11, 1984) is an American visual outsider artist known for his distinctive style combining aspects of outsider art, dark art, and psychedelic art. His work has garnered international recognition and is collected by art enthusiasts worldwide. Aerni's contributions have had a significant impact on the art world, inspiring a new generation of artists who reference and draw inspiration from his unique artistic approach.
== Early Life and Education ==
Aerni's childhood was marked by challenges, including experiences of mental, physical, and emotional abuse. Growing up in a financially struggling family, he faced bullying due to his sensitive nature and artistic talent. Aerni attended Central Valley High School in Spokane, Washington, graduating in 2003. Although he briefly pursued art classes at Spokane Falls Community College, he is primarily a self-taught artist.
== Career and Professional Life ==
Aerni's artistic journey has been characterized by numerous notable achievements and contributions. His work has been featured in over 100 group shows, and he has held two successful solo exhibitions. Notably, his solo show titled "HELL AS A ROOM" at The Fun House Gallery in Detroit, MI received critical acclaim. Aerni's art is part of the permanent collection at the Billy Boy Museum in Switzerland. In addition to his visual art, Aerni is a prolific author, having published 13 books of poetry and collage art, including "DESTROYED PHOTOGRAPHY." He also wrote a choose-your-own-adventure novel called "Safari Into The Underworld." Aerni's works explore various themes and often challenge conventional artistic boundaries.Aerni has actively participated in curating art shows, notably assisting with the organization of the INK II exhibition in Detroit, MI, in 2015. His contributions to the field of outsider art have garnered media coverage, with features in renowned magazines and articles such as The Detroit Metro Times, Girls & Corpses Magazine, XFUNS art & Culture Magazine, Revue Métèque magazine, and Monsters International.
== Personal Life and Interests ==
Beyond his professional pursuits, Aerni is a multi-talented artist with diverse interests. Under the alias Happy Grave, he creates music that blends dream-core, grunge, and punk elements. Aerni released a single titled "Survival Song," which gained popularity in 2023.Outside of his artistic endeavors, Aerni has engaged in philanthropic activities. He volunteered as an art teacher at the Boys & Girls Club in Vancouver, Washington, imparting his creative knowledge and skills to young individuals as well as participating in the You Will Rise project which had a focus on Anti-Bullying.
== Legacy ==
Aerni's contributions have left a lasting impact on the field of outsider art. His distinctive style, often referred to as "AERNI-ISM," combines surreal, outsider, psychedelic, and dark art genres into a unique artistic expression. Aerni's work has influenced and continues to inspire a new generation of artists, including notable figures such as Mr.Deadweather, Emma Glenn, TMNK, and RT Vegas.
== References ==
Detroit Metro Times Vol.33, No.20: https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/IssueArchives?issue=2135510Justin Aerni interview archive: http://rattoothpaste.blogspot.com/Girls & Corpses Magazine: https://www.girlsandcorpses.com/backissues_print22.htmlInfluencer Spotlight: https://starngage.com/spotlight/instagram-influencer-spotlight-on-justin-aerni-fun_eral/You Will Rise Project:
https://youwillriseproject.com/2011/04/21/bully-by-justin-aerni-2/
List Of Accomplishments
SOLO ART SHOWS
Hell As A Room - Fun House Gallery Detroit - 2013
Group Exhibits:
Ghost Gallery - Mini Art Group Show - - December 8 - December 31 2016 , Seattle , WA.
Dark Star Tattoo Show; Gallery - Autumn Group Show - - September - December 2016 , Vancouver ,WA.
Dark Star Tattoo Show; Gallery - Group Show - - June - July 2016 , Vancouver , WA.
Sidestreet Gallery - Group Show - "Spring Opening"; - April-May 2016 , Portland , OR.
HIVE ArtSpace Gallery - Group Show - "The Spooky Art Show"; - October 2 - October 31 2015 , York, PA.
Sidestreet Gallery - Group Show - "The Fall Show" ; - September-October 2015 , Portland , OR.
The Tangent Gallery - Group Show - "Ink2" ; - June 2015 , Detroit , MI.
Museum Of Photography ; New Media - Group Show - ";The Selfie Show"; - June 2015 , Troy , MI.
The Atomic Cafe - Group Show - "PHASE IV"; - March 2015 , Hamtramck , MI.
The Majestic - Group Show - "It Came From The Gutter II" - December 7 2014 - January 1 2015 ,Detroit , MI.
Atomic Cafe Gallery - Group Show - "KRAMPUS NIGHT ART SHOW" - December 6 2014 , Detroit, MI.
Tangent Gallery - Group Show - "FIRE SALE" - November 29th 2014 , Detroit , MI.
Tangent Gallery - Group Show - "DAMNED VII" - October 30th - November 1st 2014 , Detroit , MI.
The Atomic Cafe pop-up art gallery -Group Show - "Summer gallery grand opening show"- July 2014-
Hamtramck, MI. - June 15th - June 21th 2014 , Detroit , MI.
Tangent Gallery - A FunHouse Production Group Show - "LITTLE BLACK HELICOPTERS" - June
15th - June 21th 2014 , Detroit , MI.
Tangent Gallery - Group Show - "DAMNED VI" - October 24th - October 26th 2013 , Detroit , MI.
BodyTribe Fitness - Group Show - "Scary-Art Collective Halloween Show" - October 1st - October
31st 2013 , Sacramento , CA.
Anton Art Center - Group Show - "MONSTROUS" - September 7th - October 19th 2013 , MT CLEMENS , MI.
Tangent Gallery - Group Show - "SMALL WONDERS" - July 13th 2013 , Detroit , MI.
Collingwood Arts Center/Gallery - Group Show - "DARK VISIONS 4" - July 12th 2013 - August 15
2013 , Toledo , OH.
Tangent Gallery - Group Show - "INK" - May 10th - May 11 2013 , Detroit , MI.
Funhouse Gallery - Group Show - "Mondo Montage" - April 13th - May 18 2013 , Detroit , MI.
Sideshow Studios - Group Show - "HOLIDAY SHOW" - December 6th - March 6 2013 , Sacramento ,CA.
On The Corner Music - Group Show - "SCIENCE FRICTION" - October 19 - November 1 2012 ,Campbell , CA.
Monkey House - Group Show - "Monsters Vs Wizards" - October 6 - October 28 2012 , Los Angeles,CA.
Trash Art Gallery - The Metropolis Collective - Group Show - "Sex, Drugs And Rock-n-
Roll," Maniacal Vinyl"; - August 3 - October 1 2012, Mechanicsburg PA.
Funhouse Gallery - Group Show - Poisoned Apples - June 5 - June 25 2012, Detroit MI.
HomeBass PDX Art Gallery - Group Show - ROBOTIC EASTER EDITION - April 6 - May 1st 2012,
Portland OR.
Funhouse Gallery - Group Show - SPACETIMEWARP - March 24 - April 28, 2012 , Detroit MI.
Hyaena Gallery - Group Show - Kill Your Idols II - December 16 - December 31 2011, Burbank CA.
Galerie Espace - Group Show - MONSTERS INTERNATIONAL - October 26 - November 1st 2011,
Montreal, Quebec CANADA.
Hyaena Gallery - Group Show - Pussy Galore - September 22 - September 30 2011, Burbank CA.
Treasure Island Comics -Scary Art Collective Group Show - Heroes & Villains - August 15 - October
1, 2011 , Fremont CA.
Funhouse Gallery - Group Show - UNFILTERED VI - August 20 - October 1, 2011 , Detroit MI.
Hyaena Gallery - Group Show - The Art Of Fighting - August 16 - August 31 2011, Burbank CA.
Funhouse Gallery - Group Show - Vinyl Redux - June 4th - July - 30 2011 , Detroit MI.
Screaming Sky Gallery - Group Show - Micro Brood - November 26 - December 26 2010, Portland
OR.
WWA Gallery - Group Show - The Devil Made Me Do It - March 2010, CA.
Empyrean Gallery - Group Show - July 2007, Spokane WA.
CGTA (Bruce Mcgaw Graphics) - Group Show - Spring 2007 , Toronto Canada.
U*Space Gallery - Group Show - Atlanta, Georgia 2006
Books, Articles, Publications
OHM BEADS "Happy Grave" collaboration. LINK Album cover for Starcrash entitled "Firelord" (Released Jan, 2021) LINK "Justin Aerni's Bitter Batter Brains" - Audio book is released on Audible.com narrated by British actor; David McClelland. LINK
Cover Art - (Womb To Table) for Placenta Recordings Volume 10. (Released Feb, 2017). Album Cover Art for "New Era Hippie" entitled "In Pursuit Of Sanity" (Released August 2016) LINK
Art Feature in "Mona Lisa Re-imagined" - Book - Publisher: Goff Books (May 12, 2015).ISBN-13:
978-1939621269
Cover Art - Art Feature in Revue Métèque Magazine - Spring 2015 Issue ~ April 2015.
Feature in Revue Métèque Magazine - Fall 2014 Issue ~ September 2014.
Honorable mention in Ellen Datlow's Book "The Best Horror of the Year Volume 6" - Night Shade Books -
ISBN: 978-1597805032 May 2014.
Art Feature & interview in; "Girls And Corpses Magazine" - Spring 2014 Issue ~ April 2014.
Guest artist in "Save the Bed Bugs #4 an anthology comic zine" published by Matt Deterior ~ May
2013.
Cover Art for ; "Bra Spider and The Food Festival" by Joseph Kaifala. ISBN-13: 978-1480178076.
Published in 2012.
"Escupitojo Autorretrato" magazine. Issue; (Self Portrait) Art Zine Featured on pg.31 ~ Published in 2012.
Guest artist in "Save the Bed Bugs #3 an anthology comic zine" published by Matt Deterior ~ August
2012.
"MONSTERS INTERNATIONAL" One Page Feature. October 2011. Printed in Montreal by Rubiks.
"Inside Art Zine", Issue 14 - July 2010 Two page feature.
"My Hands Were Clean" Illustrated book cover for the internationally known author, Tom Bradley.
Published by Unlikely Books, 2010.
Featured in "XFUNS" - Art and culture Magazine Issue #32. October 2007.
Illustrated "Sweetie Goes To Florida." A Children's Book. Published 2003.
Featured art in "Burn This magazine" - Published in Spokane Washington, 2005.
Featured "Retort" an Online Art Magazine - Published in 2006 - 2007.
Artwork Featured in "Spark" - CGTA an Art Catalog for "Bruce McGaw Graphics" - 2007.)
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
2023 - Happy Grave A Paranormal Autobiography
2023 - Mutants (Adult Coloring Book)
2022 - Haunted Robot Factory (Adult Coloring Book)
2020 - Destroyed - The Director's Cut
2017 - Destroyed
2016 - Justin Aerni Sucks!
2014 - American Trash
2014 - Safari Into The Underworld
2012 - Justin Aerni's Bitter Batter Brains
2011 - Bitter Batter Brains
2011 - Damn Near Beautiful
2009 - Dead Business Men
2009 - Nonsense Relevant
2008 - Fighting For Fiction
FILMOGRAPHY:
2014 - PAW'D CATS (The Worlds First Puppet Podcast)
MUSHROOMS (Short Film)
PEAK PHYSIQUE (Comedic Exercise Video)
MUSHROOMS II (Short Film)
REOCCURRING NIGHTMARE (Video Art Installation)
DEAR AUNT LIZA (Short Film)
2013 - MACHINE (Short Film)
"EED WAS HERE" (Short Documentary Film)
2012 - YOU'RE WELCOME (Short Film)
NINTH CIRCLE OF HELL (Video Art)
PACT (Short Film)
KNIFE (Short Film)
WHEN I WAS YOUNG (Music Video)
BECKONING OF THE DEMENTED (Short Film)
2010 - PUT ON A HAPPY FACE (Video Art)
DEAD FOR NOTHING – V1RUS (Music Video)
Available Work
This is my official Ebay Gallery/Store and the best place to get my available work.
A storefront for my work that is mostly consisting of prints and older work.
The official Happy Grave Merch storefront.
© 2023 Copyright Happy Grave. All rights reserved.
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