Andrew Klass Exhibits at Cup and Saucer in North Adams
First One Man Show by Williamstown Artist
By: Charles Giuliano - Sep 09, 2008
The nineteen year old, Williamstown based artist, Andrew Klass, is having his first one man show at the popular North Adams hangout, Cup and Saucer, at 67 Main Street. From now through the end of the month of September you can drop in, seven days a week, from 6 AM through 3 PM, and check out his work while enjoying a hot cup of joe.
This semester he is enrolled at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts where he is studying cartooning with Howard Cruse and painting with Greg Scheckler. It was fun the other night to hook him up with Howard, one of the artists in the "What's So Funny" exhibition, now on view at the Eclipse Mill Gallery, and his phenomenally talented new student. The professor returned the favor by dropping in on Andy's opening this past weekend.
We are not in the habit of writing about undergraduate artists but Andy has proved to be exceptional. He first came to my attention some months back when we were organizing the first show of the season "The Berkshire Salon" for the Eclipse Mill Gallery in North Adams.
The concept of the exhibition was that it was open to all Berkshire artists for a modest fee of just $15. There was no jury and that resulted in an eclectic but remarkably consistent exhibition. It created a lively sense of community and brought forward interesting artists and some real discoveries.
In organizing the "Salon" it was decided to set an age limit of 21. The notion was to focus on mature and committed artists with an understanding that we might develop a student project at a later time. There was also an issue of liability. The participating artists were required to sign a contract accepting terms. It was felt that minors would not be limited to the agreement and would create legal issues in the event of loss or damage to the work. There was debate among the gallery committee but general agreement on an age limit.
That changed when Odette Klass, Andy's Mom, contacted us and made an argument for including her son as a very committed artist who was anxious to be included in the "Salon." This prompted a lively exchange of e mails among gallery committee members that we make an exception. It was agreed that we would accept the work if the contract was signed by a parent. While it was too late to change the ground rules for the "2008 Berkshire Salon," because of the lesson learned, the hope is to open the "Salon" to younger exhibitors in 2009.
We were anxious to meet our youngest participant. He submitted one of his scratch board pieces. During the opening and related PR Andy was in some ways the star of the show. Getting to know him it was a pleasure to share his passion and eagerness to pursue a life in the arts. We have gotten together to discuss how shows are curated including a walk through at Mass MoCA.
When informed of his show at Cup and Saucer I offered to come by and help sort out what to hang. As is often the case with young artists there was a range of styles and media to select from. In addition to the scratch board portraits of Hunter Thompson, Heath Ledger, Takeshi Kitano, and other celebrities, he also creates abstracted digital images as well as photography
Considering the limits of the space it was suggested that Klass focus on the very successful scratch board works and some of the larger, graphic and colorful digital pieces. We discussed a possible arrangement or spotting for the show. When I arrived during the installation he was already well along. The limitation of the space is hanging on a brick wall which is always challenging. I suggested that one piece might be raised. So there were a few adjustments.
As a young artist the most immediate evidence of his talent and focus is a facility for rendering. The scratch board portraits are already remarkably strong and graphic. We discussed how they might be digitally enlarged and printed in editions. As well as the potential for larger format woodcuts and linoleum prints. Right now the scale is intimate so the question is how to enlarge the impact of his approach.
Andy is attentive to criticism of the work. It makes me miss having students. But Andy is that rarity; a truly talented and committed artist, with a huge upside, who is also willing to do what it takes. It was exciting to view and comment on his first professional effort as well as to meet his supportive parents, Odette, and Steve. How I envy those MCLA professors who will get to teach him new techniques and develop concepts. Below are his Artist Statement and a live link to his website where the full range of work is visible.
"Some people create as an 'escape' or to 'get away'but I feel creating draws you even more into the world. Everything I create is based on things that I see in my world. I can't escape it. Whatever subject I am working onÂ… an object, a person, a situation, a moment in timeÂ… draws my complete attention, helping me to see all its components separately. I pull it apart, to its bare essentials, and this allows me to see the infinite layers of which all things consist. By layering and re-layering my subject, I am able to alter the reality from which it originated and create a new reality in which the subject is now exposed. Art is a direct gift from God. Embrace it, and each other." Andrew Klass.
http://www.middlemanart.com
awklass@gmail.com