Non-profit contemporary art gallery Detroit Artists Market celebrated its 90th anniversary with a homecoming exhibition featuring visual artists.
The Detroit Expat Artists: Homecoming exhibition ran from September 23 to October 22 and was intended to bring back home Detroit-raised artists who moved elsewhere, said co-curator Elizabeth Youngblood. increase.
“So for myself, I thought more about linking that with what Detroit Homecoming the Cranes does, because I brought in all the business people from Detroit,” she said. Let’s acknowledge creatives, visually creatives who came from Detroit and went elsewhere…”
Detroit Expat Artists: Homecoming featured artists: Matthew Bandsuch, Christopher Batten, McArthur Binion, Melvin Clark, Brenda Goodman, Garry Grant, Artis Lane, Al Loving, Joshua Newth, Yolanda Sharpe, Eric Smith, Nick Sousanis, Michael Kelly Williams.
Youngblood says visual artists are less recognized than other areas of fine art.
“There’s that kind of camaraderie in the world of music. I think most genres have it in common,” she said. “But you know, in the art community and in the visual arts, you don’t get that much love…and luckily[the exhibition]will be an opportunity for the artist to celebrate her 90th anniversary in her market. It overlapped. This is a very big deal.”
Co-curator Stephanie James said appreciation should be given to the artists involved and their respective educational venues.
“All of these artists were excited to play a show in what they call home, in what they consider to be home, and at the Detroit Artists Market.
Nick Sousanis, the exhibition’s illustrator and former WSU alumnus, says his artwork can be interpreted differently from other standard comics.
“I hope the work out there gives people a sense … kind of like how cartoons can bring serious ideas to life,” Susanis said. “So when it comes to my process, it’s about trying to understand how the reader experiences it, which is basically how you choreograph the experience so that when you go through it, it’s a certain way. It’s about trying to understand what makes you feel, and that’s a big part of my job.”
(From left to right): Unflattening (“Connectedness”), “Against the Flow”, and “ING” pages.
Youngblood said the exhibition was originally planned for 2020 and was due to take place in 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its opening.
“…When I started thinking about this, I had no concerns about COVID,” she said. “Then COVID hit and everything was shut down, including Crane…[It was]Gary Ranko… It reminded me that the 90th anniversary was the next year. It makes sense.”
Artist Michael Kelley-Williams has shown several works in the exhibition and said he draws most of his inspiration from music.
“My work has a lot to do with music. Music, antiquities and African art have had a very strong influence on this work,” he said. “I attribute my interest in music to growing up in Detroit.”
Williams said his piece “For Geri” was dedicated to a close friend.
“She was a dear friend and a great pianist who championed women in jazz.” …it’s called ‘The House of Head’.”
“For Jeri” by Michael Kelly Williams.
James said Detroit’s Expatriate Artists: Homecoming exhibition is a way for older artists to connect with today’s younger generation of artists.
“I haven’t given much thought to how much communication, contact and exposure between generations means to artists as well, in that so many older artists are really unfamiliar with some of the younger artists. , I’m happy to see what they’re doing, or just to get that fresh input and energy,” James said. Some of the younger artists unfamiliar to the older artists…”
Ashley Harris is the managing editor of The South End. You can contact her at managingeditortse@gmail.com.
Photo courtesy of Matt Fry.
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