How I spent my Grant

My awarded proposal for the McKeown Special Project Grant was to investigate contemporary art in New York City looking into the artist’s discovery and the role of the Chelsea gallery by meeting with Lumi Tan, director of Zach Feuer Gallery. Witnessing the professional artists and their work as a commodity at the Armory Show, the international fair of new art…

My favorite part was over hearing a couple’s conversation, “Oh, John, wouldn’t that look great in the kid’s room.” Art isn’t only progression of cultures and anti-culture but an object of commodity, so get over it if you haven’t, get on it if you haven’t!

… and lastly seeing contemporary art take it’s place into art history becoming a part of the Whitney Biennial.

I made the time to also visit the Guggenheim to experience Cai Guo-Qiang I Want to Believe

The MOMA to see Design and the Elastic Mind

The New Museum Unmonumental

PS1 Whack! and many other exhibitions in Chelsea.

I wanted nothing more than to come back to Kansas City, with fresh ideas about my work and the desire to start my own gallery. There are so many artists that address topics that are important to me but not something I would portray in my own work, so as a part of my artistic practice, the gallery will give me a chance to explore these ideas by presenting other young artist addressing such issues of ecology, technology, and the human condition. I felt this confidence especially after my interview, both directors Lumi and Zach were young people making things happen without a MFA. It’s up to “anywhere USA” and me to make the next progressive art scene, NYC you’ve had your turn, it’s over.