Fri 8/21 @ 5PM
Cleveland artist Derek Hess has a new home.
Don’t worry, the internationally recognized illustrator isn’t leaving Northeast Ohio. Instead, he’s just moving his studio from Superior Avenue and E. 22nd to 78th Street Studios.
“Several things all kind of came to a head,” Hess told CoolCleveland. “I was looking for a new studio space. We talked about it and thought maybe this will make a nice gallery in addition to the W. 78th Building. Also, nobody else carries my work in town. So this will kill two birds with one stone: We’ll set up a gallery and also be able to make my work available.”
The “we” in Hess’ decision involved his manager Marty Geramita, who is quite familiar with 78th Street Studios, which is the former home of his 1300 Gallery. Also, the seeming artistic epicenter of the Rock Hall City had previously displayed the illustrator’s work.
“We’ve always had a space in W. 78th,” said Geramita. “In fact, I lived there for a while. That was just my personal workspace but then I ended up moving out and we said, ‘Why don’t we make this your gallery?’”
He added, “That building is blowing up, and I was like, ‘We’re not going to let it go.’ That building is so alive right now that I guess in the art world that’s probably prime real estate here in Cleveland.”
The timing of the move for Hess is apt considering the recent release of his latest book Derek Hess — Black, White & Red All Over. The volume documents more than 175 illustrations created between 2004 and 2006 and featuring the aforementioned colors.
Lately, Hess, who watched the documentary Forced Perspective about his career win the Cleveland International Film Festival’s Local Heroes competition this spring, seems to be in between inspirations.
“I’ve been doing a lot of stuff, which I think has probably peaked, on 8-track tapes,” Hess said. “I’ve done like hundreds of them. They’ve been a lot of fun, but I think I’ve pushed that as far as I can go. I’ll fall back into pen and ink, and acrylic pieces, kind of a way to get inspired for another avenue of expression.”
Hess’ 8-track work finds him taking the iconic ‘70s tapes and creating different illusions on the covers. The artist said he plans on displaying the tapes at the upcoming Derek Hess Gallery Grand Opening & Book Signing scheduled from 5-9 p.m. 8/ 21 at 78th Street Studios during the Third Friday artwork.
As far as having a gallery in Cleveland, Hess and Geramita are excited.
“One of the reasons we decided to open up the gallery was because we get hit up all of the time for people wanting to see come in and buy stuff,” Geramita said. “This gives his fans a place to go to see his work.”
Added Hess, “I’m definitely humbled by the attention and support. Whenever I do introduce something new, like 8-track tapes, people have been either positive or honest about it, and that’s really refreshing.”
So what’s next for Hess after 8-track tapes? Perhaps drawing on betamax cassettes?
“Oh Lord, I don’t know,” Hess laughed. “I’ve been working on charts of the Great Lakes. I’ve done some stuff on those. I have one on my drawing board right now that I worked out several years ago that I pulled out and started working on again.”
He added, “But no, no Betamax.”
[Written by John Benson]
Cleveland, OH 44102