detroit artists market at museum of contemporary art detroit
Girlhood
“The Detroit Artists Market (DAM) is thrilled to announce a partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAD) for the presentation of GIRLHOOD, curated by Hayla Hay, which opened on Friday March 14. Originally scheduled for February 28, the Girlhood was directly impacted by a severe flood that DAM suffered on January 24, which resulted in the organization closing its doors for renovations. DAM has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from neighbors and community members like MOCAD, as these collaborations ensure that the artists featured in these shows continue to receive visibility and engagement from the public, despite DAM’s temporary closure.
GIRLHOOD invites us to reflect on youth with a sense of distance and clarity. Girlhood is often viewed through an innocent lens, reminiscing on the bows in our hair and ballet flats covering painted toes. However, these depictions frequently overlook the diversity of experiences shaped by race, ethnicity, identity, etc.”
A stylized birthday cake presentation is disrupted by a sharp star window into another dimension. Hard wall lines further fragment the space as the palette follows from blue to green to brown, top to bottom.
In the absence of color, Carman-Vian relies on drawing skills to deliver a surreal narrative. Mother’s shoes would be oversized to a young girl’s feet, both physical and aspirational. Violins perhaps seductively play inviting a covey of suitors.
Asraf commandeers an entire wall for her works on paper influenced by her Pakistani American heritage. Cultural patterns, textures and colorations present in these soft illustrative compositions.
There was a time when a dryer was a luxury, leaving wet laundry to the warm, sunny air. Adolescence is intrinsically fraught with social hazards. One’s intimates pinned to the clothesline on full display would be beyond embarrassing! The items selected for this installation are heavily weighted disallowing flapping and billowing in the summer breeze.
As always, this community’s support for each other is extraordinary. MOCAD stepped up offering use of their space for shows that had been previously scheduled. A benefit fundraiser on March 30, to be held at Bas Blue, presents several of Detroit’s best artists’ work where all proceeds go directly to restoration and recovery. Just shy of DAM’s $35K goal, I expect that number to be exceeded.
“We are thrilled to support our neighboring institution, Detroit Artists Market, through exhibitions and public programming at MOCAD. We are committed to serving the community we live within and believe that this partnership will amplify the local arts ecosystem." - Jova Lynne and Marie Madison-Patton, Co-Directors of MOCAD
Participating Artists: Kaleigh Blevins, Judy Bowman, Sue Carman-Vian, Bella Kiser, Mars McCuiston, Emilia Nawrocki, Sabrina Nelson, Julianna Sanroman, Maddie Shubeck with featured artist Nina Ashraf.
On view through April 6th at MOCAD 4454 Woodward Detroit
*images are mine
direct quote from gallery materials
**Special shout out to Lisa Katzman who has supported this newsletter from the jump, assisting in getting it off the ground almost 4 years ago. Her dedication to all that is beautiful is unparalleled and am grateful to call her friend. Thank you Lisa!
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