Inner State Gallery Presents Alchemy Curated by Monica Canilao
Immersive Group Exhibit & Installation Featuring Over 40 International Artists
Inner State Gallery is proud to announce Alchemy an expansive group exhibition curated by prolific multi-media artist Monica Canilao. The immersive site specific installation will feature a gallery wide takeover opening to the public on Friday, July 10th in Detroit’s Historic Eastern Market. Using the medieval forerunner of chemistry for inspiration, Canilao asked the group of over 40 artists to create both two and three dimensional works that will transform the gallery into a contemporary reflection of this well worn path through the eyes of the contributing artists.
“It is said that ‘alchemists’ relied heavily upon their dreams, inspirations and visions for guidance in perfecting their art. In order to protect their secrets, they recorded diaries filled with mysterious symbols rather than text. These symbols remain exceptionally potent for changing states of consciousness,” Canilao said.
Canilao has long existed within a community of creators herself. For Alchemy as the show curator and contributor she has selected artists who wield this magical power to transform their surroundings and materials before them into useful and beautiful objects. As a result, Alchemy will involve a combination of traditional flat artworks hung on the gallery walls and three dimensional installation works throughout the space.
“These contributing artists practice everyday alchemy within their lives and creative practice. Artwork that flows from one state to another manifesting magical transformation and combining media to create something new. Metal is reshaped and welded into tools, fabric is woven from plant to thread into clothing, tree to wood to shelter. Seed to food for life. Focused creative energy birthed from dreams of the maker,” Canilao said from her Detroit studio space at the Seafoam Palace Of Arts & Amusements; her current ongoing collaborative Detroit project to build a cabinet of curiosities museum on Kercheval.
Constantly in motion, Canilao alternates between many work spaces. She is primarily based out of her studio in Oakland but has strong roots in Detroit where she collaborated on the Treasure Nest house that was created as part of a project with Juxtapoz working with The Powerhouse Project’s neighborhood stabilization initiative. Assembling a roster of the world’s best contemporary artists, both locally and internationally, Alchemy will be Canilao’s first curated exhibition presented to the public in her adopted home away from home, Detroit.
Artists Include: Aminah Slor, Amy Small, Bunnie Reiss, Conrad Carlsno, Elena Stonaker, Faythe Levine, Kyle Ranson, Amanda Stone, Andrew Schrock, Angela Fox, Ben Mortimer, Ben Wolf, Brooke Little, Cannon Dill, Chyrstie Cappelli, David D'Andrea, Dennis Mcnett, Diana Umaña, Doze Green, Greg Henderson, Heidi Tullmann, John Law, Julia Solis, Juliette Oken, Kevin Earl Taylor, Kim Boekbinder, Lauren Napolitano, Leighton Kelly, Louise Chen, Monica Canilao, Meredith Younger, Michael Garlington, MRSA, Nicomi Nix Turner, Ryan Doyle + Zarah Acherman, Sarah Sitkin, Serban Lonescu, Serena Cole, Serra Victoria Bothwell Fells, Steve Valdez, Swampy, Swoon, Therin Brooks, VNESSWOLDCHILD & more...
Opening artist reception will begin at 7pm on July 10th from 7 - 10 pm at 1410 Gratiot Avenue. This event is free and open to the public. TAdditional information can be found at innerstategallery.com or to request an advnced preview or the exhibition catalog please email info@innerstategallery.com.
About the Artist: Monica Canilao compiles a living history by weaving her personal experiences with physical remnants of past lives. Through meticulous painting, cutting, building, sewing, and layering, Canilao uses recycled materials to transform forgotten objects and familiar imagery into a personal vernacular of newborn mythology. Inspired from native traditions and contemporary subcultures alike, she explores interconnections between: the past and present; the personal and communal; the commonplace and the sacred. In 2005 she received her BFA from California College of Arts and Crafts and has shown internationally in galleries, community spaces, and abandoned places. In 2013 Canilao was awarded the Eureka Fellowship by The Fleishhacker Foundation. She has been teaching for over ten years, heading classes at The Berkeley Museum and The San Francisco Day School.
