CRUSH CURATORIAL

‘ALTERED EGOS’ by Scott Bluedorn

In a codified, commodified and often rigid art world, the artist is often stifled and forced into a clearly identifiable box in order to be successfully marketed. Galleries and institutions often pander according to taste, style and output, a practice that is limiting to the artist and often retards or extinguishes the creative mind in favor of consistency of brand. Yes, many artists are driven by obsession and fixation on particular forms and ideas, but many also explore their art in various channels and mediums – often without outlet or exposure.

The premise of the exhibition ‘Altered Egos’ is to illuminate work by artists that is wholly different from that which they are known in the public eye. It is my belief that many artists foster multiple creative canons in their investigations of the world, and many have more than one outlet for their creativity. The ego in the art can be understood as ‘style’ or ‘manner,’ and this exhibition would like to break that mold to offer the viewer a new look at chosen artists oeuvre. An ‘alter ego’ or ‘pseudonym’ is very liberating, it allows the artist to masquerade without self-consciousness, develop art that investigates alternate concerns, and stretches new muscles.

Artists selected for the show will come from many stages of a career, genre, mode, and creative endeavor. Work selected will reflect an alternate portfolio of each artist, drawing from early work, experiments, side projects, hidden talents, and even crafts.

CRUSH CURATORIAL