The most influential art movement since Pop is graffiti and it is being propelled forward into the history books by the changing tastes of a newer and much younger audience as well as by art lovers of all ages who are lining up to purchase such works.
Attempting to plant a white-hot spotlight on this emerging art activity is a new art exhibition,
COMMIX, organized by local gallery Con Artist Crew at the UICA. It is one of the first institutional spaces to showcase such work at this level and with such a carefully curated focus.
This newish art form, when adopted by cities under the moniker of street art, can begin to transform a region for the better as laws are re-written to make room for it to exist.
In turn (and because of such adoption), a new trend has emerged of street art tours popping up all over the world as people flock to see a work before it is removed or, worse, stolen. (Yes, whole walls have been excavated to steal public work by much-desired artists like Detroit's numerous Banksys and France's Space Invader.)
This new exhibition, spanning over two floors, will feature a group of artists with strong ties to the Midwest who are beginning to make a name for themselves on the national stage. Eighteen artists in all will be featured, with a diverse set of styles of display from artists including Tanner Wilson, MALT, TEAD, Deco 23, Stori, Fel3000ft, Daniel Dienelt, Reuben Garcia, Ryan Brady, Ryan Koster, Magdalene Law, Katie M. Moore, Krystle Formsma, Matt Loeks, Thomas Peterson, Allan Durham, Fredy Santiago and Scott Wygmans.
Atlanta artist Tanner Wilson says, “I was excited to return to the Midwest and have the opportunity to install a two-story mural at the UICA, as well as to collaborate with other artists on a group installation.”
Wilson’s work mines the historically rich iconic images inspired by traditional eastern art with a nod to contemporary illustrative influence. Addressing themes of suffering and isolation, Wilson is able to bring a human-scaled look at the human dignity of these topics at a level most will find approachable.
The opening reception is on June 6th and will present an opportunity for attendees to visit the Festival of the Arts annual exhibition, which also opens that weekend at the downtown arts center and is part of the Avenue for the Arts' First Friday programming also happening Friday evening.
COMMIX runs until August 17th, 2014 at the UICA. For a complete of the exciting art exhibitons and films at UICA, please visit their
website.
Admission: Opening artists reception is free.