Etch, Sketch and Stilettos: The Work of Topher Crowder
January 6-28, 2012
Northville Art House, 215 W. Cady Street
Be a pART of it! Topher Crowder burst upon the art scene eight years ago after a journey of fixing computers, merchandising beer, designing Christmas ornaments in a plastics factory and packing boxes in an audio/video supply warehouse. "I always wanted to be an artist. I would take apart laser printers, put them back together and make art out of them. I couldn't suppress it anymore!" Inspired by animated Saturday morning cartoons, vintage postcards, comic books of the 1960s and 1970s, Mr. Crowder's early works were, in effect, detailed stream-of-consciousness line drawings.
Things have changed. After earning an MFA at Wayne State University, Mr. Crowder says, "I have a lot of time to make up for. It's not about being successful. I want to try everything and anything." The Northville Art House is delighted to present a show that reflects Mr. Crowder's diversity yet ultimately spotlights his unique vision.
The show will include:
Mr. Crowder's shoe paintings -- pop cultural streams of consciousness capturing the dichotomy and conflict inherent in male and female stereotypes in today's world.
Mr. Crowder's Day-Glow plexiglass creations -- intricately detailed biomorphic, mechanical shadow images of the human form that have morphed out of his early ink line drawings.
Mr. Crowder's sculptural "studio weavings" -- art constructed from the tattered remnants found anywhere and everywhere.
Mr. Crowder's reverse vandalism signs -- unfinished boards branded with messages, left intentionally in forgotten public spaces as unspoken invitations for public interaction, the art itself "finished" only when the anonymous person chooses to engage (most often through spray-painted graffiti).
Mr. Crowder is an adjunct professor at Schoolcraft College.
The show is organized by Jeff Cancelosi.
The show will open in the Art House's upper gallery with a reception and artist's talk on Friday, January 6, from 6-9 p.m. The show will continue through January 28 during the Art House Gallery hours (Wednesdays-Saturdays, 1-5 p.m.). For additional information, call 248-344-0497 or visit www.northvillearts.org. The Art House is located at 215 W. Cady Street and is a facility of the Northville Arts Commission. Admission to Art House exhibits is free and open to the public.
CALENDAR ITEMS:
Etch, Sketch and Stilettos, The Work of Topher Crowder
Opening Reception: January 6, 6-9 p.m. with artist's talk at 8 p.m.; exhibit continues through January 28.
Hours: Wednesdays-Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. (First Fridays only, 1-9 p.m.)
Northville Art House, 215 W. Cady Street
Free
Photos:
"Yves Saint Laurent Patent Leather "Tribute" Peep Toe Platform"
Acrylic on Canvas by Topher Crowder
"Vox" (detail)
Etching on Plexiglass by Topher Crowder