Jul 2, 2018 At the Museum Exhibitions At Crystal Bridges, we’re committed to exploring the unfolding story of America. Through the 2014 State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now exhibition, the museum introduced 102 artists who live and work in communities all over the U.S. We’re continuing that effort in 2018 through new installations and the upcoming exhibitions, The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art and Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices, 1950s to Now, both organized by Crystal Bridges. #ArtistatCB provides a window into the lives and studios of artists, who help us connect to the issues of our time in thought-provoking and inspiring ways. Mark Lewis Resides in: Tulsa, OK Artwork at Crystal Bridges: In effect, Mark Lewis creates a love letter to the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which he’s called home for decades. Upon arriving in the state after spending time on the east coast, Lewis was drawn to the wide expanses of the northern Oklahoma landscape and the unique spirit of the city. His method for creating his collage works is impractical, hauling a table out into his favorite haunts around the city equipped with cut paper so as to respond directly to the location in the moment. The final product is not simply a snapshot of a place, but an active conversation between artist and setting. In Peoria Ave No. 7, a sprawling Tulsa street scene explodes to the edges of an irregularly shaped composition. Beginning with a small focal point of intrigue, Lewis labors over the course of months and multiple visits to the site, seeking to gain an appreciation for place through tactile exploration and the gradual accumulation of parts. Lewis constructs images that bend perspective and fracture space, merging time and changing conditions into a unified vision. It is a product of intimate exploration in situ as he endeavors to uncover the mysteries of place. Meet the Artist: Lewis will be at Crystal Bridges July 5-7 for a Gallery Conversation, Art Buzz: How It’s Made, and Adult Workshop. Get your tickets today! “Peoria Ave No. 7” by Mark Lewis The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art is on view through September 3. For tickets & to learn more, visit here.
