Artists unearth manmade, 21st century relics
Paying tribute to natural and industrial forms residing in the urban landscape - from the detailed metalwork of sewer grates, manhole covers and time-shifted concrete, to organic inclusions of tree stumps, roots and rock - Tuccillo creates a 21st century museum of artifacts, painstakingly recreated in paper pulp.
He begins by making a urethane mold directly off of the street and then casts the mold in archival paper. A skilled painter, the artist uses acrylic paint and trompe l'oeil techniques to replicate the rust of stained cement and the gritty tar of asphalt to interpret and celebrate the look of the original site.His work is on display in an exhibit titled "Urban Fossil" at phd gallery, 2300 Cherokee St. His show continues through May 3.
The exhibit is accompanied by "Ensemble," which features 10 artists in a group exhibition using various media - including ceramics, sculpture, painting and photography.
The gallery is open noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
For more information, call (314) 664-6644.
