into the open at the detroit artists market
with DAM featured artist Matt Lewis
To bring something into the open means it is made public, not subject to concealment or obfuscation. The exhibition, Into the Open curated by Anita Bates, intends to do just that; to make more visible the diverse and formidable work of Detroit-area artists. The varied art and design elements co-mingle via both 2D and 3D work, presenting a rich tapestry of talent and craftsmanship.
Suspended Animation by Jessica Wildman Katz commands attention both due to size and location yet doesn’t overwhelm the other works. Milkweed seeds gently settle to the bottom of the inner ring while copper leaf outlines the light, transparent circle representing life cycles Katz associates with her body.
Alice Smith’s Still We Stand employs materials honoring the Black bodies and souls lost in the Middle Passage while indicating monetary gain from that oppression and loss of human life. These pieces stand straight and strong. Materials like glass and feathers are fragile but not broken.
What If Women Ruled? Priscilla Phifer has thought a lot about this as this painting is no. 10 in a series contemplating that question. Female figures recede then emerge from colorful waves. Compositionally the black space at the bottom grounds the picture, keeping the imagery from slipping off the page.
Mandisa Smith comes from a long line of quilters and feels connected to that ancestry through working in fiber. During her process, nothing that is cut away is discarded. In this manner, her nest reads as if made by any other being with bits of silver thread and strings of wool woven into a thick, warm, cozy resting place.
Curator Anita Bates has thoughtfully gathered diverse perspectives that pursue a wider vision of inclusion than solely addressing Blackness, Femininity or Sexual Identification. The artists selected examine beauty, growth, complexity and critical examination of the human condition.
I can’t exit this show without mentioning DAM’s Featured Artist exhibition highlighting work by Matt Lewis. His mysterious, spiritual landscapes describe a mindful pursuit of existence. These pieces are simultaneously calming yet provocative.
Participating Artists: Mariam Ezzat, Mara Magyarosi-Laytner, Priscilla Phifer, Heloisa Pomfret, Alice Smith, Mandisa Smith, and Jessica Wildman Katz.
on view through February 19th at Detroit Artists Market 4719 Woodward Detroit
*images are mine unless otherwise indicated
direct quote from artist or gallery statements
SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND
Thank you for the show review and images, Kim. I’ll make a point to go by and check it out. C
Cant register. My email is not accepted. ???