Craig Hill’s series “Creativity is the Enemy” is currently at the SOO Visual Arts Center in Minneapolis, where I saw his work and bought a mixed-media piece from the series. Craig uses a wide-range of iconography from American pop culture, exploring the great media machine and its outdated gender typing, all with a big dollop of irony.
What attracted me to Craig’s work was how stripped down and honest it is. His work draws question to the everyday symbols and iconography that don’t even make us blink. Hill’s paintings hit me in the gut, making me feel like a sucker for all too eagerly submitting to the media of the “least common denominator” (People Magazine anyone?). Hill’s work definitely serves the artistic purpose of encouraging us to reevaluate our relationship with images, evoking us to look a bit closer…
The piece I purchased is Untitled but I’ve been calling it “Dots” referencing the iconic candy Hill includes in the piece and plays off of in the connect-the-dots flower in the forefront. I hung the painting off-center below a bright orange mirror. The painting, despite its size, definitely holds its own!
5 responses so far ↓
1 Hilola // Dec 27, 2014 at 6:14 am
Paul – Amazing. Amazing. The joy of the occasion comes thrguoh in the images. But I got to say that the one of Laura and Darryl giving us the ring finger made me burst out laughing. I would say lol, but that doesn’t even come close. So funny.
2 Hassan // Dec 27, 2014 at 11:39 am
I’ll admit, the bar cart setup really cahugt my eye first! I’ve been wanting a little bar area in my home for a while now, and am still trying to figure the best way to do it. I couldn’t decide on one favourite item. The Brass Knot Napkin Rings are so nice and simple, and I love the Bone Clad Serving Tray with its brass handles. The 1960’s Vintage Black Bamboo Side Chair was a remarkable take on bamboo furniture. Very different from what we’ve been seeing, I think. And of course, I’d take the Chevron throws, in all colours, please!
3 Nina // Dec 28, 2014 at 10:12 am
Thank you Joanna and High Street Market for the generous Wednesday giaewvay!Lovely pieces; especially, the vintage section. What a fun husband/wife team job!Today, I give the blue ribbon grand prize to their Herringbone Sisal Runner; wow, would that make a welcome statement to our entryway!My close runner up is the Vintage Hudson Bay Plaid 4-Point Wool Blanket; what a treasured piece to pull out every winter and snuggle with in front of the fire.Again, many thanks!
4 Ariane // Apr 10, 2015 at 11:20 am
Mr. Buddylee knows he has a sassy butt! Mr. BL’s butt just screams I am a sassy, solid, rsuobt stud of a Basset Hound! Uncle Rich, Cousin Dan & Jeff jut can’t compete. There are plenty of female dogs that don’t trust themselves with Mr. BL.I think I need a cold shower!
5 Padum // Apr 27, 2015 at 10:14 pm
Thanks for spending time on the computer (wiigrnt) so others don’t have to.
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