Circumventing the Pigment
Andre Leon Gray is celebrating ten years as an accomplished artist from North Carolina. The distinctive nature of his work has led to national exhibitions and traveling shows. It embodies his unique voice. It is self described as “not safe art” in the often overly conservative south. The subject matter he deals with is often controversial, racial issues, politics and popular culture. His mediums vary; he integrates poetry, paint, fabric, wood, metal and “found” objects to create satirical and thought provoking assemblages.Andre's “found” objects range from street cleaning brushes to pianos, ironing boards to gymnasium floor panels. He uses this atypical process to execute his innovative ideas. Sometimes he finds things and saves them until they are pertinent to his work, and other times he has an idea and seeks out these unusual vehicles to bring his ideas to fruition.
The works are symphonies of craft, love and thoughtful perceptions of the modern day. “It took us one hundred years after the emancipation proclamation to get civil rights, it will probably take a hundred more for human rights,” he comments prophetically, but without resentment. I asked him which of his works was his favorite at his current exhibition at Peace College. The lighthearted but thoughtful sincerity held in his response is telling of his character, “I have a relationship with all of them, they are like children, you give birth to them,” he said half smiling. “They definitely each have lives and messages of their own.” Having an artist that is so talented, subversive and vocal in our midst is eye opening. You won't see a pastel landscape at his shows.
When did you first have artistic notions?
“Probably three or for years before I started exhibiting professionally. I was writing poetry, and there was one poem and I remember writing that if I don't use my talent that they gave to me it would be taken away so, I just realized I needed to get back to my art. Make art. Not waste my talent. Pursue that, it was something I always had in my life anyway...since I was a kid, making things and drawing things, and so forth.”
Who are your favorite artists?
Jean-Michel Basquiat
David Hammons
Wangechi Mutu
Robert Rauschenberg
A moment that shaped your career:
“It was actually the weekend that Hurricane Fran came through Raleigh. I had been reading about Jean-Michel Basquiat, and they came out with a movie about him, his life. It happened to be opening up that weekend so, I drove through the falling trees on Six Forks Road to get up there and the movie theater was actually open. So, after seeing this movie about this artist, the only African American Blue Chip artist in the New York art world at the time it inspired me to pursue my art professionally.”
Describe your perfect day:
“I guess I should have thought about that one. Stress free, (laughs), the perfect day is just working in the studio, its a nice long day, the sun is shining, not too cold not too hot. Listening to new music I haven't heard before and I like it. Just a laid back day.”
Most distinctive feature: (this took prompting!)
“Well... my most distinctive feature would be my head wrap...that's how most people recognize me, or otherwise I just blend into the crowd.”
What historical figure do you most identify with?
Akhenaten
What is your greatest achievement?
“Well, I guess my greatest achievement was getting my first solo show, it was in 1997 at Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, it really motivated me. “
What is your favorite quote?
“Art for arts sake is just another piece of deodorized dog shit.” Chinua Achebe
André will have his work on display at Leggett Theatre Gallery at Peace College
(Raleigh) until March 31. Open from 10 am to 6 pm Monday –Saturday and 12 am to 5pm on Sundays.
By Victoria Price
