Dreamer Concepts Studio and Foundation opened “Dreamer 14: Controversy” Friday night.

Oklahoma City-based artist Scott Humphries was the featured artist. His latest works, included in “The Atrocities” series, are a collection of cartoon-like paintings showing various atrocities in history, such as the Mai Lai Massacre.

OU graduates Billy Reid and Cory Scott also debuted work at the show. Mike Stromberg of Mike and Mary’s Jewelry exhibited jewelry while DJ Rent provided background hip-hop music.

Humphries said that though his art may look like a child’s art, he hopes it allows the disasters to stay fresh in viewer’s minds.

“I want to create something aesthetically pleasing, but with an underlying socio-political outlook,” he said.

Humphries is now working on a three-part series depicting the Oklahoma City Bombing.

“These are true life historical atrocities done in pop art, but I want the paintings to keep these events in people’s minds,” he said. “Sometimes I think [people] get angry because the paintings force them to go places they would rather not be. Real places they pretend don’t exist. Real bad places,” Humphries said in a press release.

Humphries used iconic figures, such as Jesus Christ, Satan and Lady Liberty to help tell his stories.

Amber Clour, DCSF executive director, said that now is the perfect time to bring in Humphries.

“We want to put a spin on what people conceive as controversy. Graffiti and hip-hop can appear negative, but it doesn’t have to be,” Clour said.

Scott’s work focused on graffiti. Throughout the opening he worked behind the studio on a freelance graffiti mural, scripting the phrases “Nice Try” and “Maybe Next Time” on the piece.

Graffiti murals are often associated with gangs or vandalism, Scott said.

Reid used elements from daily life to construct his works.

He focuses on using art as an outlet for self-discovery, Reid said.

“Dreamer 14: Controversy” runs through Nov. 22.