“An individual lives in a habitat and is a habitat at the same time,” said Thomas Sleet, curator and a participating artist for the “Habitat” exhibition. “As we control and alter our habitat – or environment – our habitat is controlling and altering us.”
He had a very specific thought of addressing issues that included art, architecture, environment, society and the spirit in mind when he proposed the exhibition.
“Habitat” features three local artists who create through sculpture, drawing and a video installation. The exhibit is currently on view through June 29 at the first floor art gallery of the Regional Arts Commission.
Sleet made his thoughts concrete by creating a cement sculptural form that bulges and curves into the gallery space. The piece is made of cinder block shaped pieces constructed of paper pulp, and other materials.
According to Sleet the piece is more than just a physical work of art.
“In this piece, you will find geometry, philosophy, and architecture. You will even find commentary about human nature and human interaction,” Sleet said. “The brick forms in the piece stand together to make it strong, sturdy, and viable. In life and society we are all standing together. If you remove any one of us, we all fall.”
In contrast to Sleet’s desire to create a work that dealt with the physical and philosophical aspects of Habitat, artist Seitu James Smith created a piece that dealt with the political aspects of Habitat.
Smith created a mixed media portrait of embattled minister Rev. Jeremiah Wright that takes up an entire wall of the gallery.
In the image, Rev. Wright stands in his pulpit, microphone in hand, preaching. But At the same time, his arms are extended as he is nailed to a cross and blood drips from his hands to the ground, reminiscent of classical portrayals of Christ.
“This man, Rev. Wright, is a man who has done so much for so many people,” Smith said. “He doesn’t have a blemish anywhere to be cited as someone of ill repute. I want people looking at this piece to think in terms of whom this man is and not how he is portrayed by the media during this presidential campaign.”
In the lower portion of the painting, a group of chickens sit on crates and listen as Rev. Wright preaches, other chickens peck at the pooled blood on the ground that came from Rev. Wright’s hands, and golden scales of justice stand unaffected. Ironic imagery that references Malcolm X’s infamous statement about chickens coming home to roost.
In addition to Sleet and Smith’s pieces, William Morris presents a virtual Habitat through the use of a soundless video loop that shows only black and white religious symbols and icons, and corporate logos. The video loop is played on a television screen mounted directly onto one of the gallery walls.
According to Smith, the pace of Morris’ images is brisk, changing by the second and the sheer quantity of images invokes a hypnotic effect upon the viewer.
Through the varied styles and artists offered through Habitat, a broad sense of not only where, but what – and who – comes together to create and impact an individuals surroundings.
Habitat is on display at the first floor gallery at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar, through June 29. For more information, contact the Regional Arts Commission at 314-863-5811.