"The Glamorous Life: German Pitre"

I visited the opening reception of "The Glamorous Life" an exhibition at Paul Robeson Campus Center by Express Newark Artist in Residence, German Pitre. The artist in residence during their six-month tenure work in a studio located in the former Hahne Department Store and participates in the dynamic cultural community of Express Newark. During the reception Pitre participated in an artist talk, where he spoke for some time about his exhibited work as well as answer any guest questions.
This was my first introduction to any of his work, so I had no previous bias to compare the work to.

Upon my first impression, I was surprised to find a room full of artwork that was almost completely black. During the talk Pitre explained his use of the color black, which he expressed that viewed the color as positive rather than how western views tend to label it as dark and negative. The pieces felt like they were all part of a system that worked together and were created together. Pitre incorporated repeating symbols such as skulls throughout a majority of the pieces. Pitre explained that his work was extremely layered and underneath the black color he included a bunch of color. He states, "My intention is to overwhelm the viewer. Various layers of material and ideas form tension as an individual interacts with the work. The experience may make the person uneasy as they try to find the words to best express what they're feeling." I was drawn to the layered quality of the work when I was looking through the work, although it was mono toned the textures and the "found pieces" he put on brought dimension. Pitre explained that overtime he collects found pieces while walking around and eventually they find their way into his work. In one piece there was an entire paintbrush stuck on the canvas material, and a cement parking block in another piece.

I enjoyed listening to Pitre explain how he views his own work, because I was able to take away more from the show. What I had viewed on the surface was not as the same as what the artists intention was in this show. The title is a play on words with "The Glamorous Life," but the topics weren't about a typical glamorous lifestyle rather a commentary on what is not.