Review: Ann Arbor District Library displays Graffiti Art Contest winners
Executed during last month’s Ann Arbor Art Fairs, AADL’s “Graffiti” competition has become as much a part of our local visual arts calendar as our seasonal displays by the Ann Arbor Women Artists; the Ann Arbor Art Center “Annual” exhibit; and the BFA, MFA, and faculty end-of-semester art exhibits hosted by our regional colleges.
Yet in at least one respect, this rite of summer differs significantly from these other exhibitions: There’s only nominal direction to the contest.
It’s this nod to artistic autonomy that makes “Graffiti 7” as close to an untrammeled expression of youth as we’re ever likely to get. And that makes this exhibit of 4- by 4-foot canvases using acrylic spray paints the eye-opening event that it has become. There’s no artifice in this art.
Titles like “Love Hurts,” “Scary Fish,” or “Toxic Waste” pull no punches and employ no subterfuge. Just like “Magic,” “LOL” and “1,000th Summer” reflect a youthful idealism that’s a delight to observe.
This year’s judge was Eastern Michigan University honors arts senior Joan Newberry. She selected 38 graffiti paintings for the exhibit, with the top three contestants receiving gift certificates of $75 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. Muhammad Abdul Basir earned first place for his “Skate.” Second place was awarded to Job Seeburger for his untitled canvas; and Victoria Reackhof earned third place for “Magic.”
Basir’s selection for first place is a significant AADL “Graffiti” milestone. His “K.A.” earned third place last year, making him the first youth artist to win an award in two consecutive years.
Last year’s “K.A.” was visually explosive with its chromatic tag—that is, its stylized lettering—marching explosively across its working surface. Basir’s repeated this strategy with this year’s “Skate.” Like 2008’s graffiti tag, the word “Skate” rollicks across Basir’s working surface with a gleeful abandon.
My favorite painting in the exhibit is Jane Hodges’ dreamy “1,000th Summer.” A floating pagoda shines in this tranquil painting against a marvelous cumulus cloud bank. Masterly in its intricacy, Hodges’ “1,000th Summer” is spiritually wise and visually optimistic.
“Graffiti 7” continues through Aug. 30 at the Ann Arbor District Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 734-327-4200.
John Carlos Cantú is a free-lance writer who reviews art for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Moms Kitchen
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
Sorry I am remiss about commenting, but thank you for the lovely review of Jane's work.
John Tebeau
Tue, Aug 18, 2009 : 12:55 p.m.
Nice slide show! Thanks for sharing that.
John Carlos Cant
Fri, Aug 14, 2009 : 12:59 p.m.
Hi Laura, Thanks much for your information... and correction. This "shinto gate" is one of those occasions when I had a vague sense of what term I was trying to use... but inadvertently used the wrong term. So I thoroughly appreciate your taking time to point out the gate. "1,000th Summer" really is a marvelous painting.
Laura Bien
Wed, Aug 12, 2009 : 3:04 p.m.
slide show adds a lot. not a big deal but it's torii or shinto gate, not pagoda.
Jennifer Shikes Haines
Wed, Aug 12, 2009 : 5:20 a.m.
I'm so glad this was highlighted, and I love the slide show. I think both this contest and It's All Write are important for area youth and provide a good showcase.