The abstract paintings included in the show reference Sestok’s works created for the Edward W. Duffy Company in the early 1970s. At that time, the painting works created with bold colors outlined by black lines were made directly on the walls of the factory. In this new group of large-scale paintings all created in 2022, Sestok–one of the most well-known Detroit Cass Corridor artists, and the only one who still maintains a studio in the area–looks back at the original creative intentions that first informed his painting work, now layered with insights of 50 years of art practice. The artist is known for constantly reusing and recycling different ideas through the decades.
The contrast of the colorful, graphic road map laid over an abstracted background in a brighter palette creates visual depth. Precision pronounces random and the complementary reverse.
A darker background gives this iteration an ominous feel while emphasizing the bolder coloration of the Mondrian-esque line work.
Completely in harmony with the larger works, Sestok reverses the layers placing the grid within and under the loose expressive scratches and swirls rendering this piece slightly less dimensional but no less interesting.
I love studies. They reveal an artist’s process and describe a directness paintings lack. Sestok illustrates his ideas for his paintings that don’t lose any of their spontaneity in translation.
Robert Sestok effortlessly moves from painting to sculpture and back. He’s been a working Detroit artist for decades, persevering through times of flourish as well as famine while consistently contributing to the community through public installations and creations.
Robert Sestok’s Space and Time captures the visual journey of one of the most significant Detroit Cass Corridor artists, and celebrates his ongoing contribution to the history of contemporary art in Detroit.
On view through Dec 17th at Simone DeSousa Gallery 444 W. Willis Detroit
*images courtesy of the gallery
direct quote from gallery materials
SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND