The latest exhibition to come through Palabra.Hair.Art.Collective is "Don't Lift Your Heroes Up So High" showcasing a diverse collection of mixed media artworks by Cheatwood.
January 9th marked the opening of Palabra.Hair.Art.Collective, the evening included music by Enrique Garcia, pastries by Leah Fineman, and coffee by Nom de Plume Roasters and incredible artwork by Jonni Cheatwood. The latest exhibition to come through Palabra.Hair.Art.Collective is "Don't Lift Your Heroes Up So High" showcasing a diverse collection of mixed media artworks by Cheatwood. Cheatwood says that he is "interested by the process having to do with how creativity cultivates hope, revival, and the restoration of what was nothing, constructed into something beautiful."
The artist combines painting, photography and drawing within his work, experimenting with mediums and chronicling their results. He relates his work and constant change and layering of mediums with that of an urban lifestyle and the ideas and qualities one encounters in the city. This is prevalent in the work exhibited at Palabra.Hair.Art.Collective such as with the bold, colorful and graphic painting titled “Face Me, I Face You” as well as the “Drippies Series” of striking self portraits that utilize digital photography traversed with vibrant paint concealing the artist’s face.
Originally from Los Angeles, Jonni Cheatwood currently lives and works in Phoenix. Traditionally trained in art Cheatwood received a Bachelors of Arts degree from Arizona State University in 2011. Cheatwood’s artwork “explores the intersection of color, composition, chance, digital imagery and the natural progression of an idea that differing realities can come together to make one piece.” Since 2012, Cheatwood has been exhibiting his artwork in limited showings in both Arizona and Los Angeles, most recently at the Prohibition Gallery and Dirty Laundry. His artwork has also been featured in numerous publications including Phoenix New Times, Fashion For Men Magazine, Interview Magazine, Rap Genius, and Glamour.
"Don't Lift Your Heroes Up So High" will be on view through the end of the month. Want to see more exciting work from Jonni Cheatwood visit http://jonnicheatwood.com/. Palabra.Hair.Art.Collective is a great space that combines the worlds of art, hair, and fashion, featuring a great rooster of local artists and exhibitions throughout the year and is worth the trip downtown. For more information about this funky and modern salon and art collective visit http://palabraphx.com/. Artwork images courtesy of artist Jonni Cheatwood and gallery photography by Nicole Royse.
