Inspiration is a good thing, actually it's great. This Thursday we are celebrating inspiration @ Cartel. From the hands of Dion Fitzgerald of DvyneArt translated to 12 pieces canvas out of the inspiration of Jim Crow Couture. Here's a few words from Dion about this showcase:

This is a series of 12 portraits I was inspired to create upon pre-viewing the '08 TBG summer line. Their clothing is always provocative and like fine-art itself. The line dealt with themes of "Jim Crow" laws (laws that maintained a "separate but equal" type stance in which most Confederate states in the USA enacted after the abolishment of slavery).

I chose to create images that would challenge the viewer who considers themselves quite knowledgeable of this period and those that have no prior knowledge of this time. Working mainly from period photographs I wanted to bring a new vision to these well known images. One that simplified the composition yet created a deeper sense of the subjects. Drawing inspiration from the graphic nature of the Jim Crow Couture line, I felt it important to work with portraits and devise small surrealistic touches that would speak to a greater urgency and depression in the soul of a man, fighting only to be recognized as – a Man.

My mediums of choice rose mainly from working in acrylic paint on canvas but grew to include ink, paint marker, pencil, collage and aerosol. The approach to each piece was very individual and within the study of my human subjects their physical portraits in paint evolved. My use of black & white, I believe, added another layer of relevance to the struggle of my subjects within the confines of “Jim Crow’s” segregated laws.

Make no mistake; this series is about race, but mainly about the male African American experience of Jim Crow and the scars that have yet to heal. That said it is not an angry collection but one hopefully evoking of valid discussion.

So with that being said, swing thru Cartel(498 Queen St. W. @ Portland) this Thursday @ 7pm to check out the pieces from the TBG summer '08 collection & DvyneArt. P.S. let your art collectors know.