Josh Byers describes his artwork as a “fine line between refinement and debauchery.”
What is one to make of the faithful painting of Lava hand soap? What about the perfect recreations of classic rock music posters?
Byers’ work, currently on display at Gallery 131 in Bowling Green, presents a challenging and fascinating look at pop culture and its impact upon art. Titled All Rip, No Drip, Byers’ exhibit is a nostalgic trip down memory lane that requires deep repeated introspection. What are we to make of the 6-foot tall Beavis head or the vintage trucker hat?
Byers, a native of Akron, moved to Toledo in 2010 after falling in love with the woman who is now his wife. Byers, who also goes by the artist name 60 Watt Funnel, previously exhibited his work at Just Jerry’s in downtown Toledo, but All Rip, No Drip consists of all new works.
“I’m now painting posters that I used to have when I was a kid that I couldn’t afford now,” said Byers, referring to the fact that many vintage rock posters now go for big money on eBay.
All Rip, No Drip runs through the end of June. Gallery 131 is located at 131 W. Wooster St. in Bowling Green.
For more information, visit Gallery 131 on Facebook at bit.ly/3y8YEds.
■ Nine area luminaries from the Junction and Englewood neighborhoods were honored with Changemaker Awards at the Toledo Museum of Art on Sunday at the intermission of the museum’s Juneteenth/Father’s Day concert. Changemaker awards are given to those individuals who have made a positive, lasting difference in their community.
The Changemaker Award recipients included Carnel Smith, principal of Scott High School; Robert Smith, founder of the African American Legacy Project; Calvin and Christine Sweeney, president and executive director of the Art Tatum Zone; Celeste Taylor, library manager of the Mott branch of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library; Reggie Williams, CEO of the Frederick Douglass Community Association; Alicia Smith, director of the Junction Coalition; Sonia Ramelle, founder of Sonia Organics and Urban Wholistics; David Ross, creative placemaking strategist at the Arts Commission, and Suzette Cowell, CEO and treasurer of Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union.
■ It’s the last few days for 20 North Gallery’s current exhibit Undeniable Presence: Sculpture by Kenneth M. Thompson. The owner of Flatlanders Sculpture Supply & Art Galleries in Blissfield, Mich., Thompson has created more than 70 commissions of large-scale outdoor artworks, including the Viet Nam Peace Arch located in downtown Toledo at the intersection of Jackson Street and Spielbusch Avenue.
Undeniable Presence runs through Saturday. 20 North Gallery is at 18 N. St. Clair St., Toledo. For more information, visit 20northgallery.com.
■ Sometimes the big picture is about the small details. And that’s exactly what’s up with the new exhibit from Michigan artist Amy Sacksteder and Toledo-based artist Brenda Singletary. Titled the small details, this dual exhibit examines the relationship between place and time through the context of painting. It’s at the University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities Gallery.
According to a press release, Singletary’s work ranges from figurative to abstract and is inspired by natural forms.
“Brenda Singletary embraces experimentation. Her paintings and assemblages are like personal excavations and conversations — a human exchange continuing from one painting to another,” said Amanda Krugliak, curator for the Institute for the Humanities Gallery.
The small details opens with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities Gallery, located at 202 S. Thayer St. in Ann Arbor. The exhibit runs through July 29.
■ Local artists and curators of the Co-Worker Gallery Jordan Buschur and Crystal Gale Phelps continue to present their latest exhibit Double Time at River House Arts. Running through July 2, Double Time features the works of 22 local artists, with media ranging from fiber to painting to ceramics.
River House Arts is located at 425 Jefferson Ave. in Toledo. For more information on Double Time, visit riverhousearts.com.
Send news of art items at least two weeks in advance to Jason Webber at jwebber@theblade.com.
First Published June 23, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
