b-boy: an art show

You thought that Ottawa was it for now. Not so. And you thought that I'd be doing a big Ottawa wrap-up, right? Well, all in due time, my friends. First things first and this is it for me right now:

The grassy knoll gallery presents:

b-boy — Ward Jenkins

Exhibition Dates // October - November, 2008

Artist Reception // Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
6-9 PM, free, open to the public

Breakdancing Performance // 7-9 PM featuring:
Randm-1, Impulse, and Skywalker of Portland’s
Moon Patrol Crew and guest DJ Computer Fam

Grassy Knoll Gallery //
123 NW 2nd Avenue, 2nd floor
Portland, OR 97209

Contact // Renee Marcotte
1-503-449-7484

Artist statement //

"b-boy" is a tribute to the early boogie boys of the Bronx, the original poppin’ & lockin’ dancers who kept the parties live back in the day, back when hip-hop was in its golden, embryonic stage. Using various ‘lo-fi’ materials and surfaces, such as found cardboard, wood, and linoleum, Ward harks back to the essence of the early ingenuity and innovation of hip hop. During the 70’s and early 80’s, kids used a wide variety of surfaces to dance on and perform stylized acrobatic moves. Using what was available, they proved again and again that the brightest sources of creativity often come from the most humble of places. “b-boy”is a tribute to the beginnings of that movement, before the uninformed media brought it to near-fad status.

All you Portland and/or NW peeps: hope you can make it! It'll be fun to finally meet you all. Don't forget, it's next Thursday!