Ric Ocasek. Does the name ring a bell? What about “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Good Times Roll,” or “Shake It Up?” Are you singing along yet? That’s right, they’re songs by The Cars! And Ric Ocasek was the lead singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist of the 1970s-80s New Wave, American rock band.

What’s Ric doing now? Well, he’s continued his career as a solo recording artist releasing seven studio albums. He’s produced top name bands like No Doubt, Nada Surf, Weezer, and Bad Religion. He’s written a book of poetry. He’s had cameo roles in movies like Hairspray and small parts on TV shows like The Colbert Report. He’s married to supermodel and actress Paulina Porizkova, currently a judge on America’s Next Top Model with Tyra Banks.

And he’s showing his first art exhibit right here in Columbus’ Short North.

Noise Colored Party will premiere privately at Mahan Gallery on March 6 and publicly on March 7. Pen, colored pencil, and marker drawings; digital photo collages; and mixed media paintings that Ric created from the 1980s to present will be displayed for two months. There are 171 pieces being shown, and all the work is for sale. Art is like therapy for Ric, who creates art as an escape. Ric makes art wherever he is, whether it be in his studio or on an airplane. He says that it springs from him like a “transient daydream” that he describes as a colorful, abstract, unconscious part of himself. Each piece is like a self-portrait created with no pretense and no intent for public exhibition.

Ric’s visual art is closely related to his musical art. Both encompass elements of rhythm, harmony, and dynamics. Gallery owner, Jacquie Mahan, says, "The connection between the music and the art is that Ric sees the artwork he makes as music, as noise, visual sounds. Hence the title of the show, Noise Colored Party."

Columbus is central to Ric’s life and career. Ric spent many years in this city before becoming the superstar he is today. Columbus is where Ric met founding band member the late Ben Orr, singer and bassist. It is rumored that the two were introduced at a party and began performing rock classics and original music as a duo before officially forming The Cars in the mid-1970s. Also Ric’s first two sons, Adam and Christopher, were born in Columbus. Adam still resides here and is actually married to Mahan Gallery owner, Jacquie Mahan.

So, if Ric had no intention to show his art to the world, how did he wind up here? Jacquie says, “For year, I’ve been telling him how cool his drawings are. But I’ve never been pushy. I simply appreciated his talent. I always hoped he would show the work, if not with me, somewhere in New York City. So many galleries would be lucky to have him show. This past summer, while I was visiting, he said he was ready. I said OK, and we went from there. I don’t really know what made him decide to have a public display. I think he was just into it, and he trusted that I would put on a good show.”




Ric will make an appearance at the gallery during an invitation-only reception on Friday, March 6. He may also make a public appearance during the Gallery Hop the next night.

Mahan Gallery – 717 N High St – 614.294.3278

homepage photo: Untitled 0020, mixed media on paper

Short North Art: What’s Happening Today?

Short North Art: What’s Happening for Gallery Hop?

by Morgan Baughman