homecoming part 1 at the carr center gallery
The Carr Center Gallery celebrates the visual artists from around the world who have called The Carr Center a studio, classroom, exhibition hall, or home. After 30 years of robust Detroit-centered and nationally recognized visual arts programming, The Carr Center’s family of visual artists is vast, diverse, and exceedingly talented. It is only fitting that the “home for the Arts in Detroit” calls on its family to celebrate not only the accomplishment of 30 years of excellence but the accomplishments of those who have made those 30 years excellent. The Carr Center Gallery encouraged all visual artists, both adults and youth exhibitors and former students of the arts academy program who have continued their practice, to submit their work for this stunning retrospective
There’s a softness to Lewis’ stylized capture of a moment in ordinary life. The subjects’ faces tell more of a story than whatever they’re watching on a TV that barely registers for the strength of the figures.
Warrior Sun’s calm but intense stare is in stark contrast to Kim and Tonya’s boredom. Collage and rough edges add tactile dimension while the figures tattooed on the subject’s torso are a source of intrigue. Nelson’s personal expression comes through in loose brushstrokes, drips and painted curls.
Senghor Reid delivers in his signature blues, albeit somewhat tamed from its customary brightness. Wrinkles in the woman’s dress mirror the hypnotic movement of the waves. The arrangement is calm yet active.
A striking departure from the rest of the exhibition is a monochromatic, impressionistic scene straight out of a Mary Shelley novel. Expertly placed scraps of color and strong contrast keep the piece from going flat as well as substantiate the title.
This is the second exhibition this month to explore the concept of home. Wasserman Project’s show presented a structural depiction while this one delves into emotional ties ranging from spiritual to mundane to haunting. There as many ways to interpret the manner in which home resonates to both maker and viewer as there are inhabitants of this realm.
Curator, Lina Stephens, had this to say about this historic exhibition. “The exhibition is an excellent representation of the cross-section of artists and the variety of media, techniques and themes they were exploring. We hope our audience will be just as excited to view this historic exhibition as we are to present it.”
Featured artists in Part 1 include Sabrina Nelson, Senghor Reid, William Mandela Matthews, Christopher Batten, Kaelin Behlmer, Dawud Shabazz, Halima Afi Cassells, Richard Lewis, Kimberly Harden, Steven Mealy, Tristan Slade, Tony Shopinski, Jacqueline Edwards Lane, Onzie Norman, Crystal Woodard, Diamante Lavender, and Pamela Alexander.
On view through September 10th at Carr Center Gallery 15 E. Kirby Street
*images are mine
direct quote from gallery materials
SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND