Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, the artist collaborative Fort Makers will bring their unique quilted paintings to the Richmond area through the exhibition Action Painting, taking place at 1708 Gallery July 20-August 3, 2013.
Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, the artist collaborative Fort Makers will bring their unique quilted paintings to the Richmond area through the exhibition Action Painting, taking place at 1708 Gallery July 20-August 3, 2013.
A 1708 Gallery press release explains that Fort Makers, comprised of Nana Spears, Noah James Spencer, Naomi Clark and Elizabeth Whitcomb, “combines strategies from fine art, design, and fashion to make useful art objects such as clothing, lighting, furniture, jewelry, and blanket tapestries, as well as large-scale art installations.” Mainly project-based, the artwork of Fort Makers has been mentioned in The New York Times, Paper Magazine, and Elle Italia. According to the press release, Fort Makers will take Richmond by storm, “transform[ing] 1708 Gallery into their home base, studio, and information center, where they will paint, sew, and assemble materials such as tyvek, canvas, and found clothing into action paintings.” Emily Smith, executive director at 1708 Gallery, explained how the gallery wanted an exhibit that pushed boundaries. “We were interested in doing a project that would have a big component that lived outside the gallery walls,” said Smith.
The artwork of Fort Makers brings the Americana idea of creating with your hands, and the skills of working with a variety of materials versus the common canvas. Finished projects will be displayed in defining areas of Richmond, soon to be announced. “For them, the action is the process of painting,” said Smith. “Also, the act of putting the painted canvas outside…making [the art] more engaged and giving it a broader context.” Anyone interested also has the chance to follow the artists step-by-step through social media, including the Fort Makers tumblr page. “People can see [Fort Makers] installing their work,” said Smith. “You can interact with the artists on site and here in the gallery.” Smith says the installation will provide viewers an unique view of action artwork and the way artist perceive Richmond. “It’s like we’re seeing Richmond through their eyes,” said Smith.
The exhibition will run July 20-August 3 at 1708 Gallery, located at 319 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220. There will be a gallery talk held Thursday, August 1, from 6-8pm.
