(Yes, I’ve been back in Houston for nearly a month. Yes, I still have things to share from my Louisville trip. Work with me here, please! Thank you.)
Even when “art things” aren’t on the official itinerary, I rarely pass up the opportunity to squeeze in at least one art moment. Art festivals, museums, public art installations, alternative space exhibits – I love them all! While I was in Louisville, artist Stan Squirewell posted on their Instagram that they had new works on show at Moremen Gallery. Out of curiosity, I clicked on the location tag and saw it’s a Louisville gallery! Universal alignment? I think so…
Moremen Gallery
Founded by Susan Moremen, Moremen Gallery is a contemporary arts gallery in downtown Louisville. The gallery is located on the second floor of a mixed use commercial property. I sent an email to confirm gallery access before my arrival and followed all the COVID-19 precautions available.
The gallery’s winding layout takes you on an intimate journey through the space, each room and hallway an opportunity to engage with an individual artist’s work.
Honestly, the space is fantastic and made me really miss the mixing and mingling of art shows.
I should have been more diligent about taking note of all the work represented, but I was there to see one collection in particular – Stan Squirewell’s 2020 works.
Stan Squirewell
Stan Squirewell, a Washington D.C. native, is an interdisciplinary contemporary artist. A painter, photographer and performance artist, you can find his works in institutional collections like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture.
In the collection at Moremen Gallery, Squirewell explores Black identity through the fusion of 15th-18th century imagery and contemporary presentation. The mixed media works depict Black people, both historical and fictitious figures, adorned in jewels, silks, and other fine accessories with captivating yet subdued facial expressions.
While Stan Squirewell’s collage portraits are undoubtedly beautiful, the frames are works of art in their own right.
Squirewell finished the hand carved wood frames using an 18th century Japanese wood preservation method called shou sugi ban. The scorching technique produces beautiful, deep charcoal-black patterns.
While some of the frames had more simplified finishes, others featured intricate, patterned carvings. The results? Absolutely amazing!
Stan Squirewell is definitely an artist whose career I’m excited to follow! Stopping by Moremen Gallery to experience Squirewell’s work in person was one of the highlights of my visit to Louisville!
I like visiting art galleries, especially when I want to view works from emerging artists. It’s like being invited to a singer’s listening party, then hearing the song on the radio later.
Do you visit art galleries when you travel? As I slowly (and safely) ease back into exploring the world around me, I’m going to include more gallery and museum adventures here on the blog. Don’t want to miss out on the beauty and fun?
