out of the vault, into the light at detroit artists market
Curated by Leslie Graves, the collector’s exhibition, Out of the Vault, Into the Light, features rarely seen artworks from private collections of several local art enthusiasts. In addition, a limited number of original works by the highly-collectable artists are available for sale.
Ijania Cortez is leaving an indelible mark on Detroit with inclusion in important collections as well as large scale murals located throughout the city. The blurry smoothness of the figure floating in the highly contrasting hot, flat background is accentuated with cobalt and deep blue shadows making a strong impression despite the character’s relaxed pose.
Having grown accustomed to Sharon Que’s tiny, meticulous sculptures, Ternary surprised in its scale. Masterful use of negative space prevents the piece from overwhelming the viewer. Intentional scoring creates dimension while naturally occurring rusty scratches and scrapes complement the earthy orange and block of spring green.
Richard Bennett’s contemporary take on the ancient Sphinx reclines across its pedestal as the muted patina belies its heft. Attention to detail presents in the roughly hewn crown and line work in its defining features.
Michael Mikolowski’s ink and watercolor is loose and expressive recording an artist’s freely sweeping brush while experimenting with color and composition without the pressure of completing a refined, finished work. Casually stapled to an irregularly shaped board we are afforded a momentary glimpse into one artist’s process.
It’s one thing to attend a gallery opening enveloped by work that’s chosen for viewers’ consideration. It’s an entirely different experience to live with artwork one has painstakingly acquired over an extended period of time. I cannot recommend collecting enough. Every piece on my walls or in the bookcases or on the shelves was selected because I had a strong visceral response to it. I don’t always notice every piece every day, but in the fleeting moment of acknowledgment as I race down the stairs to someplace deemed vitally important, I think about who made the piece, where I got it and how much I still love it. I can’t imagine living without the arts—all of them—as they feed my soul day in and day out, never failing in their ability to generate loveliness and joy.
On view through May 18th at Detroit Artists Market 4719 Woodward Detroit
*images are mine
direct quote from gallery materials
**Megaphone shoutout to Melannie Chard who has always been an enthusiastic advocate for local art, showcasing some of the very best of Detroit in her Ferndale space, M Contemporary Art. Check out this month’s transcendent show of new work by Ashley Marie. Thank you for your continued support!
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SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND
Annex Shameless self-promotion: I have a piece in the show that opens this Saturday. Come on by 4P-7P!