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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, January 25, 2009

Woebots invade Chinatown, Makiki

By Treena Shapiro
Assistant Features Editor

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Woebot Mulsh doll.

Aaron Martin photos

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

From left, Woebot Gruesome Blitz, Woebot Gruesome Gospel and Woebot Gruesome Kong. In a world overrun by cutesy panda pictures, the edgy versions are a big hit.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Woebot on the wall of ARTS at Marks Garage.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Aaron "Angry Woebot" Martin transforms a prosaic condom vending machine into something startling.

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If you think pandas are too soft and fuzzy to be edgy, it's time to check out the bared teeth and claws on Aaron "Angry Woebot" Martin's rabid pandas.

The hip-hop artist has pulled together graffiti-style paintings, limited-edition prints and toys that will be sold exclusively at an exhibit at the Nu'uanu Gallery at Marks Garage, which ends Feb. 7. Most of the art features Martin's iconic Angry Woebot panda, whose snarling visage graces everything from stuffed toys to a condom machine.

But you can also see Martin's brand new mural — so fresh he finished it yesterday — at The Contemporary Museum in Makiki Heights. The mural was part of a three-day live art performance.

Martin, part of the Pocket Full of Monsters crew of artists, was raised in Kalihi and splits his time between O'ahu and the Mainland.

According to The Contemporary Museum, Martin's interest in art began in the first grade, when he was given the book "Spray Can Art." He remembers tagging his names in crayon around his school. Later, his grandfather, who ran the paint shop at Kamehameha Schools, encouraged him to explore his creativity through art.

After a car accident forced him into bed and a year of rehabilitation. Martin left for rainy Seattle and picked up art again when inclement weather kept him indoors. Under the moniker "Timer," he started hip-hop art crew Hidden Habitats, which opened for other shows, and his started solo shows in 2002.

Angry Woebot was born at a Studio One poetry slam, when Martin discovered he didn't have the colors to paint the grizzly bear he had planned to paint live. The black and white paint he had on hand turned into an fierce panda. It's striking contrast to the happy pandas that grace the packaging for a number of Asian products, one that Martin says stops people in their tracks.

Martin doesn't always paint the Angry Woebot. In fact, he was commissioned last year to paint a portrait of President Obama, back when the politician was the nominee-to-be at the Democratic National Convention.

The artist has a studio in Kahalu'u, continues to do local live shows, work with local designers and volunteer as a children's art teacher at the Diverse Art Center in downtown Honolulu. Meanwhile, however, his toys have gained international notice and he has upcoming shows in Germany, Japan and New Zealand.

Nu'uanu Gallery at Marks Garage is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about The Contemporary Museum mural, call 526-1322.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.