This show had a press release, which is crazy. And they used things I said… I’m always surprised by stuff like that. It takes me outside of myself. I posted the entire thing below; it features some really interesting commentary from the other artists.

This show has 2 more receptions. I will be attending the Saturday reception on September 12th from 12-3pm. It is free admission and reduced capacity. Wear your mask. See live artwork.

Indianapolis, IN  September 1st,  2020

Somewhere, something incredible is… ‘Waiting To Be Seen’; a conceptual art exhibit featuring 17 diverse Indiana artists displaying their visions of selected artworks of photography by experimental photographer Darrell Staggs.

Staggs, an engineer by training and a self-claimed car guy by DNA explained “It’s learning about Art and how Art works.”

His contribution to this show is the nearly 20 pieces selected from hundreds of images he has collected. He admits he purposely selected “personal”, not “predictable”.  

He suggests a “predictable” image is one that is easily and universally recognizable because persons have “seen” it many times before.  A “personal” image may eventually be recognizable, but in a very unique perspective, or it may be a very abstract perspective.  

All of the images are captured, but some may be “created” after capture. 

Brinton Farrand, a retired educator who’s studied classical realism at Studio Escalier in France, selected his image based on the people in the photo and the title ‘Crossing Over’. He saw similar ingredients of his work in the time travel, meditation, and introspection elements. He appreciates the obscure and unnoticed point of view. 

Kristy Quinn, a Circle City Industrial Complex (CCIC) studio artist, conceptualizes a piece in her mind and then executes the art to match that vision. Quinn thought the elk rib cage, highlighted in the photo she chose, seemed to symbolize arms waiting to embrace the wolf in focus, assuring that even in death the elk will continue to sustain the cycle of life. 

Quinn’s most recent pieces have evolved with a theme of “Do you see me?”, to represent social justice viewpoints. An example, Monumental Women, depicts women’s faces

emerging from clay, symbolizing that women deserve their own version of Mt. Rushmore; honoring female voices, leadership, and strength. 

Cierra Johnson’s background in graphic design is molded with intense color and extreme tactile surrealistic bends. She favored Somewhere West of Monrovia as her inspiration because she sees symbols of significance to humans in the sky- the afterlife, renewal, and return.

A shared concept to Quinn’s perception.

Johnson begins with the quiet moments of observation and never starts with an empty page. 

She does her best to uplift and exalt black and brown people in all of their humanity and possibility; showcasing joy, power, love, and triumph in her work but admits, along with JD Bills and Staggs, that their work is rarely a direct reflection of the current political climate rather an attempt for relief.

Unexpectedly, local influences like Satch Artist, Gary Gee, William Ray Denton, Justin Vining, and Anthony Radford, can also be found in the participating artists’ work.

Many of the participants have begun sharing sneak peeks on social media. Jerry Points, Lacy Pearson, and Corey J. Mills indicate the artwork presented for the first time will be easily identified to their personal style while others, like Lynn Medsker, are being innovative with a technique called Quilling. The leap definitely helped her produce a nearly exact replica of the experimental photograph and has received an abundance of positive feedback already. 

Amy Ward, an abstract painter, and Gary Lynn, a welder and gallery owner,  partnered to construct a unique self-standing mixed media sculpture and revealed they heavily leaned on the quote presented by the curator, “It’s not what you Look at that matters, it’s what you See.”   by  Henry David Thoreau.

Collectors Night – Thursday, 3-September 6-9pm

Saturday Reception – 12-September 12-3pm

Closing Reception – Friday, 25-September 5-8pm

Free Admission. Masks required.