Martina Witte
We’re all about overlap and convergence. We spent the weekend considering the point(s) at which art meets craft and vice versa via the opening of the new Museum of Contemporary Craft (to wit, “Why hang this particular piece as part of a craft exhibition rather than hanging it in an art exhibition?” And the myriad attendant questions.) Now we get to consider art and illustration. Again there is the notion of utility. Illustration serves a communicative purpose in editorial or commerce. Art, well, better minds than ours have tackled the “what is” question. So what do we say about the many shows of illustration-based fine art that Portland hosts? How can we explain how much we like APAK or Carson Ellis or even some early pieces we see daily by Chandra Bocci when we really fall more into the David Eckard, Brad Adkins fan club? We’ll consider these questions at OFFICE PDX’s (2204 NE Alberta) new exhibition opening tomorrow night, July 26 with a reception from 7-9 PM. The Art of Illustration features the work of three award-winning illustrators who have done work for high-profile clients and shown in galleries across the country: Martina Witte (New York), Matte Stephens (Alabama) and Ryan Bubnis (Portland). One could also enjoy examining the art/design connection, intersection, inspiration, conversation as another interesting art show shares space with OFFICE’s mod office products shop.
Matte Stephens