The Fine Art Gallery at the Village Arts Factory welcomes the featured works of local artist Carl Davis in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday entitled "Juneteenth Series," which will be on public display until July 20.
The dichotomy of Juneteenth, being seen as both a celebration of freedom as well as a somber remembrance, is not lost on Carl Davis. In his own words, "How we honor America's not-so-glorious past, is to open your mind to the change of how we think." Davis said he believes creating art through collage work, "allows the mind to ponder abstract art of natural landscapes, the legacy of slavery, the countless people who suffered the cruelty of slavery, and many of those who rose up and fought for freedom."
Davis said as a child he spent time learning to draw and paint at The Cincinnati Art Academy and later studied at The Cincinnati Art Museum. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from The Ohio State University.
After a long career as an art director in the Midwest and in New York City, where Davis was the Creative Director in Advertising for The New York Times, he returned to his first love of painting. He has exhibited his work in various galleries throughout New York, Chicago, California, and Europe, with various celebrities, organizations, and companies collecting his artwork.
During Carl Davis’ travels throughout southern Europe and Northwest Africa, he became enamored with the religious-themed fresco art. Drawn to the antique quality, peeling, and fading that comes over time, Davis worked for years to master this painting method. This included controlling wet plaster on various surfaces and then creating various textures using dry pigment and marble dust, among other medium choices.
Post-pandemic, Davis brought his passion along with him as he relocated to Canton, Michigan to reside and spend time with his family. Completing the "Juneteenth Series" exhibit, represents the remembrance of his work throughout his art career, using archival paper of past work woven into his painted fresco technique on canvas and wood, he said.
This special exhibit is free and open to the public during gallery hours from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through -Friday as well as during all public Village Arts Factory events, or by special appointment arranged via email to kevin.ryan@cantonmi.gov.
The Art Gallery at The Village Arts Factory is located at 50755 Cherry Hill Road in Canton.
