From July 11th - July 22th at the Hill Street Country Club will host multi-disciplinary artist Cole Douglas (he/him) as he expands on his existing series of abstract mixed-media works on canvas. These new pieces are of a previously unprecedented scale, taking full advantage of the gallery’s open space to develop new techniques and build a more robust mark-making language. Visitors are invited to visit and view works as Cole’s work progresses and attend a public open house with light refreshments to meet the artist Saturday, July 13th from 2-6pm. Artist Statement: After an injury induced identity crisis, I found myself seeking a resolution to the pain I’d felt after carrying the burden of being a Black man in a white America. I soon found that painting and time in nature were a panacea to my ills. The nexus of my identity as a Black man in addition to these activities presented me with the foundation of my work: negroes nature nurture. That is, the juxtaposition between the Black American and natural experience. I present the Black experience in a meaningful way, seeking resolution to our issues and a future reimagined with healthy, thriving, and carefree Black people. I blend gestural acrylic palette knife strokes with energetic oil stick lines to inspire reflection, growth, and the sowing of seeds. Leveraging these mediums, I am able to create an active painting that explores the possibilities of a fruitful Black future. Through these paintings, an intentional reconfiguration of Black values and actions is had – resulting in meaningful change for future generations. That is, the sowing of seeds in our garden. The process used to create these radical abstractions lend towards continual discovery as opposed to a specific final destination. This process-based approach, inspired from my engineering background, creates boundless expression to encapsulate all feelings that exist within a given situation allowing the works to serve as both a medium of healing and a path forward to change for myself and others. Creating a community for other people like me searching for healing and love. About Artists in Practice: Hill Street Country Club’s Artists in Practice program invites artists to use the gallery as an extension of their own studio. Partnering artists are given access to the space and our staff who provide critique and advice regarding technique and their professional practice to build relationships, skills, and confidence interacting with the art world. About the HSCC: The Hill Street Country Club seeks to create an inclusive, diverse art culture that reflects the socio economic landscape of North County San Diego. We strive to provide an art outlet for our community. Our building is wheelchair accessible with everything you need on one level. We have one gender neutral, single occupancy, ADA compliant bathroom. Service animals are permitted but please leave pets at home. To keep our gatherings as safe as possible, we have masks and hand sanitizer freely available. If you have any questions regarding The Hill Street Country Club or this event, please contact akiko@thehillstreetcountryclub.org For more information visit: thehillstreetcountryclub.org Stay Connected on Instagram
