Artist statement: Brian Petro
Vastu is currently presenting work by Brian Petro that was made within the last five months. This body of work stems from the lessons learned from Sammy Hodis, his 14 year observance of public and private art collections, carpentry skills from his father, and utilizing one of his favorite pastimes – dumpster diving in New York City. This new series of artwork incorporates spray paint, polyurethane, oilbar, spray adhesive and oil paint on sections of wooden doors. Petro loves resurrecting and honoring rubbish in a style that warms and cheers the heart, and evokes humor and joy from images of items we see everyday.
“I can recall when I was 9 and traversing between our small ranch house to my grandparents in a coal mining town of 500 people of Czechoslovakian/Polish heritage in Hawk Run Pennsylvania. I’d always see a dirty, grimy, bearded (yet very fit) man always hauling scraps of metal along the 34 mile route. While driving in our car, I’d ask who he was. My mom and dad replied, ‘Oh, that’s Sammy Hodis.’ When I further inquired who he was and what was he doing, they told me a tale of how he dumpster dives, finds saleable stuff, and sells it for cash to make a living. His work ethic and persistence have impressed me to this day. Even though I never met him… this is my second show in honor of Sammy Hodis – the man and the legend. I have recently asked my relatives who resided there growing up to regale me with stories. Very few people knew the details or had only vague recollections, but I held the tid-bits of information and my observations with reverence. I learned so much just from watching him for over a decade trudging down the highway, being resourceful with things he found and doing what he felt was most important to him.” – brian petro
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On September 21st, 2011 2:13 pm
[...] Read more about Brian Petro’s Grocery series in this past Design Clique post and be sure to stop by Vastu as Brian is offering 30% off of any purchase of work that’s in his studio. Call for appointments – (202) 270-7352. The studio is here at Vastu – 1829 14th street, NW, Washington DC. Hours are 11 am to 7 tues-sat, sunday 12-5. var addthis_language = 'en'; [...]