REAL ART DETROIT

Share this post

photographic portraiture at detroit contemporary

kimfay.substack.com

Discover more from REAL ART DETROIT

reviews of Detroit art exhibitions top to bottom
Continue reading
Sign in

photographic portraiture at detroit contemporary

Three Individual Exhibitions

Kim Fay
May 11, 2023
2
Share this post

photographic portraiture at detroit contemporary

kimfay.substack.com
Share

Shekenia Mann – Up Close and Personal

Shekenia Mann Calvin (Coleville Tribe Nespelem WA) 20x27 image is mine

Mann, “a native Detroiter, integrates her love of photography with the knowledge and insight she has gained from years of professional practice as a social worker and educator. For Ms. Mann, photography is the art of capturing the energy and beauty of subjects, and rendering that connection palpable to others.”

This image communicates intensity through taut, uneasy posture, facial expression and the space occupied. Personal adornment of tattoos, jewelry and attire hint at the nature of his personality. Tweaks in contrast emphasize texture and shadow embellishing the edgy narrative.

Jeff Cancelosi – 12 Detroit Artists

Jeff Cancelosi Gregory Johnson 37x27 image courtesy of the gallery and the artist

The ubiquitous Mr. Cancelosi has ingratiated himself to Detroit’s art community by photographically documenting its makers. All its makers. When he first started taking photos they were straight forward depictions. As the years have progressed, he’s expanded his repertoire, as in the 12 portrayals in this exhibition, to describe an artist’s work, their personality and the environment they inhabit in a single image. It’s an honor to have Jeff snap your picture, but it’s particularly special when he comments on the artist and their work in his imagery.

Donita Simpson – Detroit Framed

Donita Simpson Jo Powers 31x31 image courtesy of the gallery and the artist

“Simpson spends her time photographing established and emerging artists in the Tri-County Area.  She explores the artists, their studios and the newly created environment that exists between the artist and the photographer.”

Simpson goes beyond shooting the artists themselves. She winkles out secrets hidden in their studios in an intimate Easter egg hunt. Clues to who they are, how they work, what’s important to them are pinned to the walls or unceremoniously stacked on a nearby table. Through intentional lighting and angles this picture appears almost painted.

With cameras pervasive on our indispensable phones, social media catalogs our lives through vignettes of dinner parties, weddings, trips and random selfies. These three photographers don’t merely register a moment. They capture the subject’s story, their personality, their raison d'être. They illustrate the multifaceted face of Detroit art’s inextinguishable passion for the work and each other.   

On view through May 28th at detroit contemporary 487 W Alexandrine Detroit

*photo credits included with each image

direct quote from gallery materials

**Special thank you to Linda Allen for her support of this newsletter. Her colorful paintings are well composed with a side of whimsy, sort of like her. Linda was one of Charles McGee’s closest friends and assisted him with his work for years. Through her I had the honor of meeting Mr. McGee and spent an afternoon with the Detroit legend. An unforgettable treat. Thank you, Linda!

Upgrade to Paid

Share

Leave a comment

SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND

CCS Student Exhibition

Simone DeSousa Gallery

Brain Candy Monday May 15th only

Wayne State Galleries

Reyes Finn 

M Contemporary

Padzieski Gallery

Janice Charach

Kayrod Gallery

Blackbird Gallery

IM Weiss

Black Box

Scarab Club

River's Edge

Color/Ink Studio

What Pipeline

Belle Isle Viewing Room

Galerie Camille

BBAC

Cranbrook Art Museum

Library Street Collective

Detroit Artists Market

MOCAD

David Klein Gallery

Playground Detroit

Collected Detroit

Hatch Art

Wasserman Projects

Louis Buhl & Co

Norwest

Image Works

Anton Art Center

Lawrence Street

Carr Center

Public Pool

Annex Gallery

OUAG

Live Coal

DIA   

Stamelos Gallery

2
Share this post

photographic portraiture at detroit contemporary

kimfay.substack.com
Share
Previous
Next
Comments
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Kim Fay
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing