Joey Garfield
Mound Town originated from an obsession with building snowmen and a continued obsession of using vinyl and found objects as an art medium. At some point I found myself needing to break away from the standard snowman concept and own it. From there I realized that I didn't have to wait for snow to create because if you look, mounds spring up everywhere - during every season. It has become my mission to profile these pile ups of debris found in the corners of our world one mound at a time. But their life span is fleeting and in order to capture these mythical creatures in their natural environment I have to act fast.
If I can point to some kind of internal influence or artistic guidance when creating mounds it would be equal parts Jim Henson, Maurice Sendak and nature artist Andy Goldsworthy.
Feb. 4, 2017 - Ben Blount's art opening was a fantastic celebration of art, protest, solidarity and community. Both Dave Ford and I feel fortunate to work with an artist like Ben Blount, who created such a compelling show. The show is up through Feb. 28 at 1100 Florence, weekends 12-5 p.m., or by appointment via evanstonmade@gmail.com. Learn more at www.1100florence.com
recollection works by Ben Blount
Ben Blount celebrated a huge turnout at his opening reception, pictured left is Ben being interviewed by Meleika Joy with Evanston Live TV.
Below are images of letterpress, posters, postcards and more from Recollection on display until Feb. 28, 2017.
Recollection examines the notions of race and culture we encounter growing up in the United States. Shared through reimagined learning tools and remembered narratives, this work explores how we collect these formative ideas about identity and commit them to memory. This collection of work from artist Ben Blount includes letterpress prints, handmade books, and various interactive elements.
Ben Blount is a printer who uses books, posters and installations to explore notions of race and identity in America. Shaped by two decades of experience in design and advertising, his work draws on a common cultural language of objects, stories and experiences to draw attention to the differences between what we see, and how we are seen. With a range of contemporary influences from Dave Chappelle and Kara Walker to Mos Def and Amos Kennedy, Blount’s work is often provocative and topical. He has taught book arts courses at The Cleveland Institute of Art and Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago. A native Detroiter, he earned an MFA in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago and currently lives in Evanston, IL.
The public is invited for the Opening Reception Saturday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. 1100 Florence is a new art event space in West Evanston, IL, owned and operated by Lisa Degliantoni and Dave Ford.
Sales inquiries can be directed to evantonmade@gmail.com
