Untitled
Artist
Matthew Blake
(American, 1965 - 2008)
Date1998
MediumWood, foam, found objects and paint, wall mounted
Dimensions12 × 39 1/2 × 7 in. (30.5 × 100.3 × 17.8 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of David Zucca, 2012
Object numberUAC5773
DescriptionDetroit artist Matthew Blake was a prolific artist and musician and worked as manager of Wayne State University's woodshop. He exhibited extensively in metro Detroit including shows at Oakland University Art Gallery and Susanne Hilberry Gallery.Blake's contemporary friezes were composed of plastic toys and other accoutrements of childhood affixed to molding and carefully painted with a unifying matte oil paint. Thus action figures, dolls and trophy toppers are exalted to the same status of figures within Greek and Roman architecture. Blake's friezes assimilate the grandeur of ancient art, commenting on our disposable icons and the literal plasticity of our collective culture.
Text by Audrey Zofchak
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