Opening Reception Fri 4/18 @ 6pm
Closing Reception Fri 5/16 @ 7pm
By Josh Usmani
When Wall Eye Gallery closed its doors a few years ago, many in the Cleveland art community were saddened to see it end so quickly. In their few short years, Wall Eye’s founders captured the attention of many in the community for their dynamic, fresh exhibitions.
Since going off in their own directions, the founders have spread their influence in many different ways. This week, one of them, Dante Rodriguez, returns to his old stomping grounds to curate Drift – an exhibition of local artists Pita Brooks, Todd Hoak, David Masters and Adam Siefkas. The gallery is now owned by local artist Bruno Casiano.
“The Bruno Casiano Gallery re-opened about a year ago featuring local and out-of-state artists,” says Casiano. “My gallery is unique in that it’s a great space to showcase large works of art and where people can view fine art for their home or for their work space at affordable prices and at the same time support the local economy and artists. We also recognize the singularity of each artist and their works of art. Our next show, curated by former gallery owner Dante Rodriguez, will feature 4 local artists.”
All of the artists in Drift live in town. Pita Brooks received an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design from Cleveland State and a BA in Fine Arts/Art History from Hiram College, studying Painting, Photography, Multimedia, with a minor in Art History.
Todd Hoak works at the Cleveland Museum of Art with Rodriguez and fellow Drift artist Adam Siefkas. Hoak received his BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art.
David Masters received a BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago and his MFA from Kent State.
Adam Siefkas just moved to Cleveland from Boulder, CO – where he received his BFA from the University of Colorado with a concentration in Sculpture.
The show’s title refers to Rodriguez’s fascination with the undefined boundary between two-dimensional and three-dimensional works in contemporary art, as well as throughout the history of art. Each artist’s work blurs this imaginary boundary in a different way.
“The group of four artists in Drift was based on my interest of artists whose works I feel explores the space within the conventions of painting and sculpture where materials oscillate between the two art forms,” explains Rodriguez. ”This seesawing effect of reading a painting as a sculpture or vice versa is something I personally find intriguing. Because of the outward high relief and sculptural appearances in these artists’ works, they remind me of ancient Greek or Egyptian architectural stone relief sculptures. These artists use materials traditionally used in paintings such as paint, wax, wood, canvas, and frames to produce a quality of dimensionality within them.
“The artists in Drift share a keen concern of how they personally invest in defining the space and form in their works, and the tendency to drift between the linear, sculptural, and the painterly without being confined to a single interpretation,” continues Rodriguez.
Drift’s theme encourages an active, engaged viewing experience. The concept invites you to look at these works from a new perspective. Drift encourages its audience to examine and reinterpret boundaries and definitions through the work, and in turn, the boundaries and definitions of other aspects of our reality.
The most successful works of art challenge their audience in this same way — to question the preconceptions of our lives. Engaged viewers are rewarded with a transcendental experience. If you’re looking for work that challenges (and rewards) you as a viewer, stop by Bruno Casiano Gallery this Friday for the opening reception of Drift.
Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.