UNCONTAINABLE | Urban Art from Vandalism to Movement

Although I could not make opening night, I am secretly glad.  I don't usually write about local art happenings, but this event is unusual in Gainesville Florida.  Since the expansive exhibit is an extension of the 352walls/Gainesville Urban Art Initiative project which has enlightened two dozen walls and surfaces throughout downtown Gainesville to include murals by world-class street artists, it is not wholly unexpected.

The City of Gainesville Thomas Center Galleries is hosting the free exhibit, in partnership with the National Institute of Urban Art, continues through September 9 in both the first-floor Main Gallery and the Mezzanine Gallery of the Historic Thomas Center, 302 NE 6th Ave.  Don't let the lack of entry fees and VIP lists fool you - this is an unbelievable collection of street art.  UNCONTAINABLE contains the New Establishment of Urban Art: Logan Hicks, Shepard Fairey, Axel Void, Ahol Sniffs Glue, Doze Green, Faile, Mars-1, REVOK, Os Gemeos, Retna, Elbow Toe, Invader, Risk, and Swoon.  The primary poster art is by and up-and-comer Michael Reeder titled The Bold Marauder.  I had to swipe a photo of the original from the web as none of mine worked with their lighting.

The Bold Marauder, by Michael Reeder, uncredited photo from National Institute of Urban Art.

A great interview with the co-curators Craig O'Neil and Anne Gilroy written by the stellar Noel Leroux is up at Downtown Gainesville.  Please check out the entire article and highlights are included below.  Some excellent photos of the art are here.

UNCONTAINABLE co-curator Craig M. O’Neil, founder of the National Institute of Urban Art, said that visitors to the Thomas Center Galleries can expect a provocative exhibit.
“It’s art, it’s raw and it’s real,” he said. “It’s the first post-internet art movement that’s global. There’s never been an art movement like that in history.”

Anne E. Gilroy, curator of the Thomas Center Galleries and co-curator of UNCONTAINABLE, said the exhibit is the first of its kind in North Central Florida. “The concept to do UNCONTAINABLE came out of conversations about the 352walls,” Gilroy said. “Craig became aware when Gainesville’s walls project burst upon the scene. The urban art community is keenly aware of what is going on with walls projects with their colleagues around the world at any time. Craig actually wrote to us with a critique — and that led to conversations, then collaboration.”

I was particularly interested in the Logan Hicks print, as he is my personal favorite and I did not have the opportunity to see the Bowery Wall after Hicks had his way with it.  Craig, one of the co-curators is actually featured in the wall, "The Story of My Life".  He is the guy in the black shirt, center at the bottom.

Another favorite of mine was A Sort of Homecoming, by Elbow Toe.  I took so many detail shots but I am not going to bore you with my OCD examination of his textures and colors.

Great work Craig and Anne - hope to see more collaborations between you to bring street art to this sleepy town.  UPDATE with one last thing, National Institute of Urban Art will be at Scope this year with a few pieces from their collection...how long before they have a booth at Art Basel Miami Beach?