Changing Colors: An Interview With Jefferson Nelson about ?New American Color?

Toledo Local Features | By Michael Pierce | 10/29/2014

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ? these ideas are so distinctly American that they were written down on day one and never forgotten. But what do these words mean? And how are they understood by the modern American psyche? Can artists who seek profit claim the same sense of freedom and happiness from their work as artists who don’t? Local artist, Jefferson Nelson will host an art show titled “New American Color”, which explores these ideas and more. Toledo.com had the chance to ask him some questions regarding this upcoming event.

You mention not being profit-motivated, and there seems to be an inherent connection between that and the mantra of a New American Color. Can you comment further on this?

I guess the connection comes from the motivations of the artists involved in the show and how divergent their visions are from those artists finding financial success in the primary art markets. I believe our work is more reflective of the plight of the general public than of the 1% that actually drives the market. Something more human is at work here, compulsive and sincere. I also feel that once you start really selling, there is an expectation of collectors, galleries, etc. Not being concerned with those expectations offers us the freedom to make whatever we want. And what could be more American than freedom? Well capitalism I guess…but a lot of the artists in the show just make things and rarely show, don’t seek out shows, are maybe even a little uncomfortable with showing, and would rather keep their work than sell it.

Tell us about the location. Is the location ? a small, independently owned auto garage meant to embody the theme of reflecting life in a uniquely American way?

It wasn’t meant to, but somehow completely does. The space, Dean and Sons Automotive, was a family owned business since 1992. I only met Jim Kokoothe, the owner, because he had to give up that business in favor of a full time job that provides health benefits and less risk. I work at the Toledo Museum of Art, as an art handler, and Jim started in maintenance about 6 months ago. He made a choice to protect and support his family, which includes a young daughter who has ongoing needs for health care. I don’t know if you have ever tried to be self insured while in that type of situation, but it is cost prohibitive. That’s pretty uniquely American, right? I don’t think that Jim would consider himself an art lover, a collector for sure, but we connected quickly and he heard me talking about this show months ago, and was just like, “come check out my space.” I am extremely grateful for his support and generosity.

How will the pieces for this art show play into the theme? Is there something unique to the theme that we can expect to see from the artists involved?

I think the first and most obvious thing is literally color. There are many bold palettes at work, like the colors and images from pushing your thumbs into your closed eyes until it hurts. Beyond that, I think dystopian themes are everywhere in this show, as well as slick oozing excess, and metaphorical color. The work is reflective of our time and culture, and does it in a way that is both beautiful and disturbing. I don’t know how coherent the show will appear. I am not a curator, so the results of my work may appear disjointed. I approached the show in an organic way, the way, I approach making art; set a trajectory and allow for, and embrace changes, and avoid preconceived notions of how it will be when it is finished. I will say that there is something in the show for everyone: painting, sculpture, installation, photography, drawing, video, performance…and hopefully the pieces that interest you, will make you reconsider the ones that don’t.

Can you tell us more about the significance of having the show on the specific day, with the International Visual Literacy Conference at the Museum of Art going on at the same time?

This show started last winter during a conversation with Matt Richarts ? one of the artists in the show ? originally from Ohio and now in Bushwhick, New York, and I have been putting the pieces together since then. So in an all staff meeting this spring, when our director asked us to let the museum know what was going on during the International Visual Literacy Association’s annual conference November 5-8, I was like “we’re doing the show then.” The conference, will bring to Toledo a large group of directors, curators, artists, and educators from around the world, and is great motivation to engage a potential audience that a show like this would not normally have. I was already working on the show and we’d have done it anyway, but why not link with that type of an audience as well as the local audience? The idea is to get as many people as possible to see the show.

Are there any other details that people should know about, regarding this event?

The opening runs from 8 to midnight on Friday, November 7th at Dean & Sons Automotive, on the South East corner of 17th and Jefferson (1611 Jefferson). Performances by Ryan A. Bunch, Heavy Color, and goLab start at 10:30. Followed by an after party at The Ottawa Tavern. The walls we used are courtesy of The Arts Commission, huge thanks to them and Marc Folk. New American Color has a crowd-funded budget of fifteen hundred dollars, THANKS to all of our supporters!! And Thanks to the Toledo Museum of Art for helping to support our show.

Find New American Color info. on Facebook.

The show will feature works from 30 local, regional and national artists. Below are images of several of the artists participating in the show:

Yusuf Lateef