echoes from the rust at elaine l. jacob gallery
Curated by Kemuel Benyehudah
“Echoes from the Rust traces the artistic lineages of the Rust Belt as it re-emerges from a time of fracture following corporate abandonment and economic decline. This group exhibition hones in on artwork made by artists with lived experiences in Detroit and Pittsburgh, two post-industrial titans forged by steel.
Through various personal explorations the artists invoke the deep rich cultural inheritance of the Rust Belt. These sensitive minings are reflected against surfaces in new forms of paintings, drawings, collage, found objects, and video/site-specific installations. With experimentations intersecting themes around identity, migration, labor, and place, Echoes from the Rust compels us to re-center the Rust Belt’s multifaceted histories – to provide guidance as a bright shining light moving forward.”
Most Detroiters are familiar with Massey’s murals even if they don’t know his name as his prolific work decorates public spaces from Mexicantown to the Detroit Athletic Club. Preliminary scale drawings are executed early in the process as the artist works out thematic ideas. This cityscape isn’t a precise map but assembles landmark structures into a dynamic composition in flawless perspective using a visible, red-lined grid as a guide.
In complete contrast, but no less captivating as Massey’s sizeable illustrations, is Brown’s tiny painting rendered with incredible detail. Highlights of red orange on the skin contrast with the blue shirt creating visual energy. Most of the pieces in this exhibition are quite large causing Brown’s painting to stand out as it does.
Charara’s whimsical characters pack this canvas into tight patterning akin to Jean Dubuffet. Strong color at the top of the picture eventually runs out at the bottom leaving nothing but dangling figures, grey smudges and drips.
This minimal wall sculpture’s surface is technically level but appears to slant toward the left by way of supportive steel pins that are installed at a hard angle. Shadows contribute to the composition as well as substantial negative space.
The work presented in this exhibition demonstrates experience, skill and passion culminating in mastery of their chosen medium allowing their personal, political and historical narratives on the human condition to beautifully shine through.
Admin note: the image list is difficult to navigate and sizes are unavailable. Brown’s painting isn’t lit very well and considering its size is a bit of an impediment to its enjoyment.
Participating artists: N.E. Brown, Halima Ari Cassells, Adnan Charara, Joshua Challen Ice, Hubert Massey, and Omid Shekari.
On view through January 11th at Elaine L. Jacob Gallery 480 W. Hancock Detroit
*images are mine
direct quote from gallery materials
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