Mott-ly's Crew

Kansas City's and Lincoln, Nebraska's respective hearts broke yesterday when they learned that the artist known as Mott-ly passed away.  I've known Mott for more than fifteen years, and I'm stunned by the news.  Anybody who knew him reserved the warmest place in their hearts for him.  He ran the MoMo gallery in Kansas City's crossroads district, where he curated shows that always seemed to hit the sweet spot that included his interests in activism, assemblage, and street art.

I first met Mott in the late 80's, when he started the band Mudhead with Archer Prewitt (who went on to form the Coctails and Sea and Cake).  I've seen noisy bands in my time, but Mudhead made an unholy racket... I unearthed an article that compared Mottly-s singing with Mudhead to "Elmer Fudd being raped by a werewolf on a bad acid trip".   That, my friends, is a compliment.  Mott-ly moved back to his hometown of Lincoln in the 90's, and ran with a pack of musicians and artists that added considerable spice to sleepy Lincoln.

I started a record store in Lincoln in 1993, and Mott-ly was my first choice to help staff the place when I was away.  Visitors to Zero Street could often find Mott's cheery face and incomparable musical know-how livening up the cramped store.  Through it all, Mott soldiered through a bunch of medical problems.  He was a hemophiliac who had a leg amputated at a young age.  Mott spent a lot of time decorating his prosthetic leg, and a favorite trick was to throw it onstage when he was excited about a band.  I witnessed plenty of confused/bemused singers like David Yow from the Jesus Lizard trying to deal with this novel tribute. 

He spent a lot of his childhood in bed, which he credits with nurturing his interest in art.  Mott-ly was always making art--he was the best assemblage curator that I've ever met.  He had an eye for reconfiguring the most mundane objects into amazing works of art.   Everything he touched benefited from his attention to detail, held together by his loving patinas.  Joseph Cornell was a lifelong touchstone for him, but Mott-ly's boxes were something else entirely--courageous in their source material and masterful in their transmogrification.

In 1997, I left Lincoln, and shortly thereafter, Mott-ly moved back to his beloved Kansas City, where he had attended the Kansas City Art Institute.  He was one of the pioneers of the Crossroads district, and opened up the MoMo gallery, which also served as his home and studio.  Mott-ly was always an activist--it was at the core of his being, and he did things like letting an anarchist collective open up a radical bookstore in part of his space.  A few years ago, Mott lost his remaining leg to infection, and was confined to a wheelchair.  This didn't stop his mobility, and he could be found rolling through the Crossroads district, patronizing rogue karaoke dive bars, and working at Grinder's.  The last time I saw him last year, he had adopted a pesky (but lovable) street dog that was recovering from mange (something makes me think it was part wolf...) that followed him around the gallery gnawing on the tires of his wheelchair. 

For those who knew him, visiting Mott always yielded surprises.  He was terribly in love with life, and always had something interesting to say or show.  Like his boxes, he transformed his mundane surroundings into a thing of beauty.  His kindness to others always burned brightly, and he leaves a legacy through his art and gallery that won't be soon forgotten.

LINK to Pitch article about Mott-Ly's art   

Comments

[bernie]

well done, Garth. Mott will be missed.

[Nell]

Garth, this is great. Mott would be so touched by your words.

[Vicky]

Mott was an incredible person and this tribute completely captures him. Thank you Garth.

[Sweet Basil McJagger]

Thanks Garth, that was nice.
My wife Gina Lee lived with Mottly for a while. I was happy to have hung around with him a few times.
Lincoln lost one of its true originals.

[Gina Lee]

Thanks Garth. Everyone that knew Mott was inspired and touched by his genuine personality, sharp wit, creativity, and perseverance. I, for one, will never forget him.

[michael]

So sad. I remember the first time I saw him throw his leg on stage at a show in Lincoln, it was the coolest/craziest thing I had ever seen at the tender age of 19. Thanks for the tribute Garth.

[Carrie]

I am deeply saddened to hear of Mott-ly's passing. I remember when he helped us out at the Ozone back in the state theater. He was always so kind and positive.

[Joy Tremendoy]

Well shit.

Thanks for the tribute, Garth. My favorite aspect of Mott-ly? His flaming vacuum cleaner tattoo. Well, that and his warm spirit. What a good soul.

[Dan Schlissel]

I sit here dumbfounded. Mott-ly was a true friend, as well as someone who was incredible to share a car ride and show experience with. I will miss him dearly. Your words could not have summed him up any better.

[Dan Schlissel]

I sit here dumbfounded. Mott-ly was a true friend, as well as someone who was incredible to share a car ride and show experience with. I will miss him dearly. Your words could not have summed him up any better.

Wow this is truly sad. Mott was one of the best people I ever knew. First met him in 1983 and we became freinds a few years later. Luckilly I got involved in the Underground Arts scene a few years ago and used to go and see Mott frequently. I never missed an opening at MoMO. Mott would give me tender hearted and good advice when I was going through things. Thanks for the tribute. I am glad I have photos of Mott with my kids. I also could never forget Mott. He was the sweetest.

[Matt Govig]

I feel so far away. Thank you, Garth, for writing this. I'll miss Mott - and I miss everyone else now too.

So sad. I saw Mudhead in Tulsa a couple of times and they always stuck with me. Great performer, great music.

[Carla]

I miss Mott-ly so much. I go back to read your tribute often. It makes it seem like he hasn't been gone for so long.