What is Art? Ask anyone this simple question and see how many unique answers you will get. I had the opportunity to interview self-taught artist, Monroe Reeves from Baltimore, Maryland on his insights concerning art. With such a broad question, Monroe responded passionately. “Art is the pulse of creation, change, movement that stimulates. It can affect one or all.”
Gallery visits are a great way to see through the world through the the eyes of differing artists. Often there is one piece within a gallery exhibition that sticks out in your mind—from this you may walk away with a memorable experience. “Roughly around 1992 in Tokyo while attending the opening of the National Museum of Art, a Salvador Dali painting I saw moved me,” Monroe reflects on a work that emotionally grabbed his attention. He continues, “I do not remember the exact name of the piece but it was of the back of a lady wearing a scarf. It gathered my complete attention and I felt as though I understood where Dali was, mentally. Dali had a way of twisting reality in a dreamlike manner.”
Upon leaving an exhibition you feel inspired, as if your creative energy has been re-charged. Art that Monroe finds most inspiring are “intricate small pieces such as mosaic tile and unusual objects that make up a large piece. You can see the image as a whole or look into the detail and find other forms.”
“Space in work brings life and movement. It can make you forget where you are.”
Photography, according to Monroe is the most influential medium within art. As the viewer, you are placed in a moment through another’s prospective. The old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is true; an image can tell an entire story by the creator who has captured a particular moment.
“I love all art but I find that computer graphics take away from physically reaching out and manipulating a piece,” Monroe explains. “I like to use my fingers in almost all of my work. Keep my fingers messy with what I’m using. You are more connected with the tradition of yesterday using non-computer oriented mediums especially working with paint.” Monroe continued to express his enthusiasm through watercolor by explaining the many ways in which it can be applied: wet, dry, dripped, sloppy, neat and tight. Each has its own emotion using a dry or wet brush. Mixing different paints together changes the characteristics of the color.
Art has and will continue to evolve. “Futuristic Architecture is the medium that I find to be most intriguing. It makes me feel as if I am getting a sneak peak into another century.”
Works of great artists have inspired Monroe to become the artist he is today; Juan Gris for his emotion in Cubism, Salvador Dali’s surrealism and Amedeo Modigliani for his rich color palette.
“I don’t want to be categorized as a particular artist, therefore I stay away from submitting my work to so called “black galleries.”’ Yes, I am African American but I don’t want my work to be based around cultural recognition. I am originally from Washington D.C., I am an American. Art is more than the artists’ roots. People should embrace and appreciate the work of an artist and not care so much about who they are but the work they create.”
I truly appreciated the time I spent with Monroe, his enthusiasm inspired me to stand by my own sense of artistic being. This interview has taught me that there is no right or wrong in the art world. I was also able to relate with Monroe through his career decisions. In the beginning of my college career I was a business management major. After the first few semesters I came to realize that it was not for me I decided to switch majors and further my education in what I admire most, Fine Arts. It was relieving to learn that in a similar situation Monroe stared a career in an office, and later backtracking to his artistic nature.
Review written by Jeffrey Ratner