Cobo Art Expands Permanent Collection with Two New Original Paintings by Detroit-Based Artist Nic Notion
DETROIT, MI (19 July 2018) – The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) and Cobo Art are pleased to announce the acquisition and unveiling of two large scale original paintings created by emerging Detroit-based artist Nic Notion. Pictures are available here.
The works entitled AMERIXAN NOTION BLACK 1 and AMERIXAN NOTION BLACK 2 are now on display on the fourth floor of Cobo Center, expanding a broad collection that includes works by internationally respected artists such as painters Tyree Guyton and Gilda Snowden along with sculptors Ed Hamilton, Robert Sestok, Sergio De Giusti, and Carl Milles, among others.
Notion’s additions to Cobo Art’s permanent collection offer an abstract depiction of Detroit’s current transformation from a metaphor for rubble and decay into an example of urban revival.
The two female figures featured are a reference to the women on the seal of the Detroit flag. The seal is a representation of the 1805 fire that destroyed the city. The figure on the left weeps over the destruction, while the figure on the right gestures to the new city that will rise in its place.
“I’m happy to have my work added to Cobo’s collection because I think it gives people in the city and people just visiting a different way to see what Detroit represents,’’ says Notion, who created an original mural for the 2017 world premiere of the Hollywood film, Detroit. “There’s the story of the rubble but there’s also a story of survival and working hard every day. That’s what my work is about, the freedom to create more for the future.’’
The DRFCA Art Foundation will also soon unveil a permanent 30x30 foot fresco mural by renowned painter Hubert Massey. The fresco, entitled “Detroit: Crossroad of Innovation,’’ will be on display at the Riverside Entrance of the Grand Riverview Ballroom within Cobo Center and will celebrate the city’s cultural heritage. “We are committed to elevating our permanent Cobo Art collection into a showcase of the city’s rich artistic and cultural identity,’’ said Lisa Canada, DRCFA Vice Chair and Cobo Art Chair. “With 1.4 million visitors coming through Cobo’s doors each year, we think it’s the perfect place to celebrate all of the creativity Detroit has to offer.’’
Through its DRCFA Art Foundation, Detroit’s Cobo Center joins major convention centers throughout the country featuring public art including cities such as Chicago, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. Cobo Center’s curator is Maureen Devine. Located downtown on the beautiful Detroit Riverfront, Cobo Center is one of the largest convention centers in the nation offering 723,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Nic Notion studied broadcast arts and communications at Wayne State University. His work is inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Cézanne and typically combines elements of street art with dynamic abstract canvas compositions tackling subjects including racial division, gentrification and urban decay. Notion’s Amerixan Notion series debuted with his solo exhibition entitled the same, at PLAYGROUND DETROIT gallery in Detroit in February.
About the DRCFA
On 9/15/09, operational control of Cobo Center transferred to the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, under a collaborative agreement by the Michigan State Legislature, the City of Detroit, and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Each of these entities has an appointed member on the DRCFA Board. Larry Alexander is the appointee of the Governor of the State of Michigan and serves as Chairman of the Board. For more information visit: http://www.drcfa.org/. The DRCFA Art Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It was created on July 31, 2015.
About Cobo Center:
With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Cobo Center boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 17th largest convention center in the country. Visit online at www.cobocenter.com.
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Media Contacts:
Heather George, 313-832-2210, 248-417-5773 (mobile), hgeorge@loviogeorge.com
Nichole Christian, 313-832-2210, 248-250-0669 (mobile), nchristian@loviogeorge.com