Sat 3/19 @ 6-8PM
Artist Erykah Townsend just graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2020 with a BFA in painting, but her work is already attracting a lot of attention.
Her show, Bitter Sweet, which opened at SPACES gallery last month, evolved from her residency there and is marked by her strong interest in pop culture. It delves into the dark side of children’s activities, games and the cartoons many grew up on. She looks at how fun and violence were intertwined in old kids’ cartoons and how children’s party games could encourage aggressive behavior that mimics adult conflicts. She presents bright, light-hearted imagery, suggesting kids’ birthday party decorations, with a dark undertow: the fierce competition that birthday party games came provoke.
Learn more about the show and the practice of this young, accomplished artist when she does an artist talk at SPACES. It’s free; masks are required Her show will be on view through March 26.