The Next Wave
August 03, 2011
Whether it’s the current heat wave or something in the water, there has to be an explanation for what I experienced over this past weekend’s quarterly Gallery Night & Day events. Allowing it to fully sink in, it has taken me a few days to grasp what I saw and I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe in fact there isn’t an explanation at all.
Maybe it’s just time for Milwaukee to shine.
Sometimes in a rare moment you’ll find that the efforts, energy, and emotion of a whole group of artists comes together in an exhibition that instantly becomes a classic. Both memorable and awe inspiring is the current display of young emerging artist at the Dean Jensen Gallery titled; A Dozen or Something Twenty-Somethings.
Flowing effortlessly in unison the combination of paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures exceeded my expectations and continued to surprise me at every turn. Remarkable in pureness of vision this cohesive and vibrant show compliments the space and highlights the diverse and gifted talent we have pulsing through the city.
All of the artists involved brought captivating and well versed ideas to the table. With the tangible paintings by Matt Martin whose layers literally peel away from the canvas and artwork from Jonathan Kramka that bounces off the floor and weaves a soothing web of light on the wall, reminiscent of the industrial work by Eva Hesse, the atmosphere in the gallery is engaging and electric.
As I tipped my hat in respect and continued riding the momentum around the corner to Gallerie M where Raychael Stine’s exhibition Whistle in the Dark is showing, I couldn’t wait to see what lay in store.
What I found was a well-organized arrangement of gestural and still life paintings that use the image of dogs as a way to explore the subject matter of relationships. The phrase “opposites attract” came to mind and could certainly be applied to this exhibition.
The smaller works evoke aggressive emotions almost like they were created in a hurried frenzy, while the larger paintings remind me of works by Caravaggio and are eloquent and painstakingly detailed. Stine’s artwork is clever and witty, enticing us to question the role of dog as man best friend and protector while simultaneously evoking the darker animalistic side that resides in us all.
Begging for more I journeyed to the Marshall Building which this summer has acted like a welcoming beacon for the Third Ward, hosting many artist work studios and a multitude of gallery’s with quality shows worth viewing.
Opening up for the first time and deserving of our attention is the artist owned and run GreyMatter Gallery located on the 2nd floor. The brainchild of Zina Mussmann and Rachel Quirk this space will be showing a mix of juried and solo 2D and performance based exhibitions over the course of the next year. Leading by example and way of the “do it yourself” mentality, Mussman and Quirk intend to build their reputation on a foundation of positivity, acceptance, and accessibility. Be sure to put this gallery on your radar.
Continuing to challenge and defying the norms, LuckyStar Gallery held its last exhibition of the season, a collection of stylish and vibrant screen prints by Samuel Johnson of Firecracker Studio’s before closing their doors to embark on a 40 day collaboration experiment. Bridging the gap between retro and modern culture, Johnson’s explosive prints on wood exuded a confident and polished tone. LuckyStar Gallery will reopen on September 9th.
An honorable mention goes to the cooperative Gallery 218 who presented a comprehensive and complete group exhibition. The standout pieces came from longtime contributor Daniel Fleming who presented two new abstract paintings that compare in style and mark making to Basquiat, and newcomer Kathryn Kmet whose ambient photographs were delicate and moving.
No closer to an explanation I am reminded that Innovation often comes in waves. So I applaud all the artists involved in these exhibitions for their articulate contributions to the local art scene, and for keeping me on my toes. If these shows are any indication of where contemporary art is headed then hold on tight, because I see no signs of this movement slowing down.
Let’s make our mark and ride this one all the way to the crest.
