exhibitions
Mark Newport
Artists
- Mark Newport
Special Events
Friday, February 3, 2006
Slide Lecture by the Artist
Reception for the Artists
About the Exhibition
For centuries, knitting has been associated with the feminine --from medieval portraits of the Virgin Mary beatifically purling to Grandma's treasured knit afghans. Arizona artist Mark Newport, however, views knitting and related domestic textile arts in quite a different way. For him, they are symbols for understanding masculinity and brute strength -- and the unlikely means by which he is able to create the iconic wardrobes of the superhero. Through methods traditionally associated with female cultural identity, Newport expresses his own ideas about male identity in American society. This exhibition, which includes knitted costumes, photographs, inkjet prints and embroidered comic book covers, was organized by the Arizona State University Art Museum.
MARK NEWPORT: SUPERHEROICS is organized by the Arizona State University Art Museum, Tempe, Arizona, and curated by John D. Spiak. The San Diego State University presentation of the exhibition is organized by Tina Yapelli, director of the University Art Gallery, and sponsored by the School of Art, Design and Art History; the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts; and fund for Instructionally Related Activities. Additional support is provided by the San Diego State University Art Council. The artist gratefully acknowledges the support of Creative Capital, the Corporation of Yaddo and the Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University. Mark Newport is represented by Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle and Lyons Wier Gallery in New York; his works are lent courtesy of the galleries.