Fri 9/13 @5-7:30PM
East Cleveland artist Darius Steward is starting to get the recognition he deserves with numerous shows (and participation in group shows) in the past five years at significant galleries such as the Maria Neil Art Project, Tregoning and Co. and the former William Busta Gallery. Currently he’s part of the exhibit America’s Well-Armed Militia at SPACES.
The 35-year old artist, a Cleveland Institute of Art (BFA) and University of Delaware (MFA) graduate, draws on his own experience growing up as black man in a rough neighborhood to create his watercolors which prominently feature young black boys, whom he’s said are stand-ins for himself. What’s special about them is how he places them in the frame, using empty space as a dynamic element to express power or lack of it, struggle, oppression, anxiety, hope and more, adding another layer of meaning to the figures’ expressions and positions.
Steward will have a show at Cleveland’s oldest gallery, Bonfoey Gallery, presented by Thomas French Fine Art. It opens with a reception Fri 9/13. He’ll do an artist talk at the gallery Sat 9/14 @ 10am. The show remains on view through Sat 10/12.
Cleveland, OH 44114