https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic Artists to inspire the next generation en-us 2022-01-13 16:00:39 UTC 2025-12-26 11:33:13 UTC hello@padlet.com sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996529782 https://www.theastergates.com

About the Artist
Theaster Gates is a unique brand of artist who takes his urban planning experience and pares it with a love of art and community. He is most well known for his reclamation then conversion of buildings into useful community spaces or works of art. These in turn generate funding for the revitalization of the community. He is a native of Chicago and has a heart for the black community in particular. His "Rebuild Foundation is a non profit that is working to revitalize the local community. Theaster Gates is one of my top artists because his art is a celebration of black culture and is working to revive the Chicago community. I hope my students will be inspired to see the potential art has for the betterment of mankind.

]]> 2022-01-17 19:57:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996529782 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996559527 https://elanatsui.art

About the Artist
El Anatsui was born in Ghana but later moved to Nigeria. His art is heavily influenced by his African cultural background. He works primarily with ceramics reclaimed (used) wood and recycled caps from liquor bottles. Anatsui points to the ironic relationship between these bottle caps and the American manufacturing of alcohol for trade with Africa for slaves which were used to harvest materials like sugarcane to make more alcohol to trade with Europe. He has worked with these bottle caps for years now. After a while he recognized another irony that the black, red and yellow coloring of most of the bottle caps are the colors of the traditional kente cloth . Initially he thought of these bottle caps as merely a form of sculpture but overtime he has discovered the possibilities of his enormous sheets of bottle caps tied together to be indicative of paintings or textiles. Anatsui employs a number of young locals to help him complete his large scale projects and not only pays them well but allows them some creative freedom in designing and putting together his massive bottle cap installations. Anatsui embassies flexibility and possibility in his work. I chose him as one of my top artists because his work is about community and possibility. His work is bringing a community together in Nigeria and that community is also collectively working to create these massive metal artworks which are showcased all over the world. I hope that his love of possibility, flexibility and collaboration will inspire my students to see endless opportunity for art making in the world around them.]]> 2022-01-17 20:22:01 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996559527 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996586429 http://www.caofei.com

About the artist
Artist Cao Fei is a pioneer of the digital platform for art. A native of China Cao has made a number of films as a social commentary. Through her films such as "Who's Utopia" and "Asia One" she has explored issues ranging from the industrial takeover of the traditional Chinese farming community, to the secret dreams and desires of those working in Chinese factories, to our relationship with technology. In all her work Cao pushes the envelope and forces the viewer to really consider the issues China and the world are facing today. She is best known for her interest in the world of "second life" where she created "RMB City", a virtual city which is also a statement about China and the possibilities of a utopian society free from traditional or current government or social constraints. She has found in the emerging virtual world a social platform and a means of deep personal expression. I chose Cao Fei as one of my top artists because of her innovative and soulful approach to filmmaking and virtual reality. I think it is important for my students to see the possibilities of art in this digital and VR age. They should be inspired to see the potential of the emerging virtual space to draw attention to social issues and universal questions about our humanity.]]> 2022-01-17 20:47:00 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996586429 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996620272 https://projects.jennyholzer.com

About the artist
Jenny Holzer uses words to create thought provoking art. She uses a variety of media from the Stone Age to the modern day to showcase her own quotes and more recently the thoughts and ideas of others. She has used everything from classified documents to poetry all to expose truth and provoke the viewer to question society. Her texts serve as a means of social commentary and give a voice to some of our  longings fears and secrets. She is best known for her billboards, digital signs and projections which have exhibited all over the world.  The venue and location determine the text as well as the form of display. I chose this artist for her use of digital signs and projections in particular as a means of social expression. Her use of color, size and light is inspiring to me and I hope it will inspire my students to seek out new ways to make their voice heard.]]> 2022-01-17 21:21:43 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996620272 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996694177 About the Artist
Martin Puryear has a fascination with how art is made. He is a sculptor often creating large scale works for display in parks, and other outdoor spaces but is also known for his smaller sculptures which tend to evoke a duplicity and a contradiction. His "Ladder for Booker T. Washington" is a large interior installation which has become a commentary on the life of Booker T. and his unrealized vision for an equal American society. Martin is very interested in the old ways in which materials were constructed. He learned to make furniture in his youth and that has had a tremendous influence on his work. He will often go to great lengths to make the finished product look as if it was constructed using another method from the actual one. His appreciation for old ways of making and for the history of art is part of why I chose him as one of my top ten. Another reason was for his fascination with how things are made. The fact that that is as if not more important than the finished product is an important consideration in art I want my students to ponder. I hope they will be inspired by the thought behind Martin's use of wood, metal and stone and that it will propel them to an exploration of the potential for their media of choice and ideas.]]> 2022-01-17 22:55:07 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996694177 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996797408 About the Artist
Tim Hawkinson's primary artistic focus come from his interest in the identity, time and music. One of his most recognized installations, "Uberorgan is an enormous work designed to function like a bagpipe on an enormous scale. Tim has a fascination with basic switches and simple electrical devices is incorporated to create sounds at unusual times. His familiarity with traditional hymns comes to bear on his art in surprising ways. For example Uberorgan and a piece titled "Pentecost" incorporates hymns played so that they become unrecognizable to the listener. Other methods of sound or music making involve dripping water and tightly wound plastic wrap. I chose this artist for his unorthodox incorporation of music into his art. I am inspired by the simple programming which not only produces these unique sounds but also is visually appealing. I want my students to be inspired to consider how they might incorporate music into their artistic process or approach. For me music and art have always gone together and I hope my students are inspired by the potential to visualize music or to make a working piece of art which is not static and may at times be unpredictable.]]> 2022-01-18 01:07:57 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996797408 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996811723 About the Artist
Do Ho Suh is a visionary taking unconventional to a whole new level. Homesick for his childhood home in Korea he decided to remake it using traditional Korean silk. This idea spiraled into numerous models of architecture in bold bright colors of fabrics from Korea; all shaped into the form and dimensions of these buildings, rooms or staircases. Right down to the very last detail the hanging light fixture is even made out of cloth. Do Ho Suh is very much inspired by his native Korea. He works with a number of different often brightly colored materials including military dog tags, silk, paint, film, plastic and more. His inspiration stems from concepts of home and personal space. He plays with size and scale to express the differences between his life in Seoul  and in America. I chose this artist for his incredibly unique artistic expression which stems from his cultural perspective. I think art should always be pushing boundaries and this artist creates stunning pieces that are thought provoking and unique and demonstrate the limitless potential of art. I want my students to be inspired by his unique artistic expression as well as diversity of forms which is art takes on. He is using sculpture in very unique ways which for me give the medium a whole new meaning. I hope my students are inspired to play around with ideas and try new methods and approaches to express their own creativity.


]]> 2022-01-18 01:20:10 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996811723 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996938321 About the artist
Trevor Paglen is inspired by the many uses of technology in particular military technology. He uses art to test the possibilities of what technology can and can't do.  He has flown drones over NSA headquarters launched his "Orbital Reflector" into space and used AI to shed new light on technology biases and perceptions with his training set photo collages. I chose this artist because what he does with art is innovative and because he is exploring the positive and negative consequences of the world we are building. I want my students to see that art can be found anywhere and can also serve as an exploration of the potential of new technologies as well as their consequences. I hope they will be inspired to consider the possibilities of our ever increasingly technological society.]]> 2022-01-18 03:10:03 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996938321 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996938548 https://www.mayalinstudio.com

About the Artist
Maya Lin is best known for her design of the "Vietnam War Memorial" in Washington D.C. However what she should be best known for around here is her design of "Rosa Parks Circle" right here in Grand Rapids! Her work is inspired by environmental concerns and often takes on natural forms. She grew up in Ohio near ancient Native burial mounds and these have also had a tremendous impact on her work. I chose this artist as one of my top ten for her local acclaim as well as for her sensitivity to environmental issues and her use of architecture to create beautiful spaces which reflect natural phenomena and human presence. I hope my students will be inspired to know the ideas and meaning behind the design of Rosa Parks Circle as well as to consider how we can make a positive impact on our environment.]]> 2022-01-18 03:10:16 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996938548 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996938627 https://www.mayalinstudio.com

About the Artist
Nick Cave is especially known for his"Sound Suits" which he also wears for individual and community performances. He uses a wide variety of materials including many found objects which he collects as well as hair, sticks etc. These "Sound Suits" were initially a reaction to the beating of Rodney King. He designed the suits to function as a protection and as a source of racial ambiguity. They are all unique and brightly colored and adorned with beading or other decoration to dazzle as well as produce unique sounds. I chose this artist to be in my top ten because of his unique approach to art with sound, performance, and costume. I love the ambiguity and universality of his "Sound Suits". They are both visually attractive and curious. They  seem to celebrate a universal sense of culture. I want my students to be drawn in by the bright colors and the interesting sounds and then to contemplate the rather quiet message behind them. This artist might prompt a discussion about the costumes and personas we sometimes hide behind.]]> 2022-01-18 03:10:21 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1996938627 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997130503 2022-01-18 05:50:45 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997130503 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997135042 2022-01-18 05:54:30 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997135042 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997142563 2022-01-18 06:00:43 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997142563 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997150605 2022-01-18 06:07:43 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997150605 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997154481 2022-01-18 06:11:18 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997154481 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997159049 2022-01-18 06:15:16 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997159049 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997163308 2022-01-18 06:18:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997163308 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997167227 2022-01-18 06:22:10 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997167227 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997172493 2022-01-18 06:26:31 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997172493 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997178711 2022-01-18 06:32:09 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997178711 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997183787 2022-01-18 06:36:49 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997183787 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997188633 2022-01-18 06:40:46 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997188633 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997191365 2022-01-18 06:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997191365 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997193934 2022-01-18 06:44:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997193934 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997195487 2022-01-18 06:46:02 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997195487 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997197402 2022-01-18 06:47:34 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997197402 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997199138 2022-01-18 06:48:49 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997199138 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997204063 2022-01-18 06:52:05 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997204063 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997212413 2022-01-18 06:58:27 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997212413 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997214783 2022-01-18 07:00:17 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997214783 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997219442 2022-01-18 07:03:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997219442 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997862296 2022-01-18 13:21:17 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997862296 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997869939 2022-01-18 13:24:32 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997869939 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997873558 2022-01-18 13:26:06 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997873558 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997875038 2022-01-18 13:26:43 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/1997875038 sonkel https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/2001874581 2022-01-20 02:57:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sonkel/nhmhqk160cgxbjic/wish/2001874581