Muppet Rawk 2009, Part 1

Last year, Seattle-based gallery "Ouch My Eye" gathered a pile of artists together and created a collection of album parody art works featuring the Muppets (for a slideshow of last year's pieces, click here). This year, they're at it again, and the good people at Ouch My Eye have granted us a sneak peek at the paintings and sketches that are on display now through May 31. If you're in the Seattle area, feel free to skip this article and visit the gallery in person. But for the rest of us, let's get on with the art appreciation!

For your convenience (and mine), I buddied up the images with the album cover they're parodying. Give the images a click to see them in big-size.

Artist - Jake Myler / Laurie Anderson - Big Science

This is one of my faves of the bunch, because it makes Bunsen look all creepy and New Agey. Kinda how you expect him to be in real life. It's too bad he's not an arm rod puppet, or else that'd be a Neat Thing.

Artists - Tom Dougherty (Grover) & August Zinsser (Beaker) / David Bowie - Aladdin Sane

It's hard to choose which of these is a better homage. The look on Grover's face is priceless, but you've got to admit that Bowie does look a bit like Beaker in the original album cover.

Artist - Kristen Van Dam / Björk - Homogenic

Does it count as an homage if Björk is already a Muppet?

Artist - James Ma / Queen - Queen II

There is no earthly reason that this hasn't already been turned into a t-shirt. I'd wear it every day.

Artist - Augie Pagan / Molly Hatchet - Flirtin' With Disaster

There's something equally thrilling and terrifying about Dr. Teeth wielding an axe.

Artist - Lawrence Ruelos / AC/DC - For Those About to Rock

That's right, it's Flying Zucchini Brothers fan art. We salute you.

Artist - James Ma / Dio - Holy Diver

The odd part about this one is that the guy in the original album cover actually looks like a human version of Bunsen. The giant devil monster only resembles Beaker in passing.

Artist - Kevin Neireiter / Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millons to Hold Us Back

Little known fact: Flavor Flav is tapped to play the lead in the upcoming Gonzo the Great biopic.

Artist - Jason Zayas / Madonna - Like a Virgin

Naturally, this is not the first time Miss Piggy has parodied the Queen of Pop.

Artist - Richard Miller / Duran Duran - Rio

This piece is the most likely to be turned into a mirror and framed on my mom's bathroom wall. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Artist - Rob McDaniel / Quiet Riot - Metal Health

Funny, I always thought Cookie Monster would be the first to end up in an institution.

Artist - Rich Werner / N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

I could do without Rizzo holding a gun, but this is otherwise a fantastic piece. But is Henson really that bad of a neighborhood?

Check back in with us in a few days when we'll have more pieces from the Muppet Rawk gallery!

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