Artist Stan Squirewell captivates audiences by reanimating forgotten historical photographs through his distinctive mixed-media collages. His art delves into the essence of Black identity and lived experiences, transforming anonymous faces from the past into vivid, contemporary statements. Squirewell's technique involves layering archival images with rich textures and striking embellishments, creating a profound dialogue between history and modernity.
His latest exhibition, "Robitussin, Hotcombs & Grease," serves as a powerful testament to the reclamation of identity, inviting viewers to reflect on the stories embedded within each artwork.
Stan Squirewell’s artistic journey revolves around giving voice and visibility to anonymous historical figures, predominantly Black individuals, through his innovative mixed-media collages. He selects black-and-white photographs, many dating back a century or more, as the foundational elements for his large-scale creations. These compositions often feature groups or individuals, capturing moments from everyday life or formal studio sittings. Squirewell then introduces contemporary elements, such as fabric patterns, vibrant paints, and sparkling glitter, directly onto the clothing of the subjects. This artistic intervention bridges the temporal gap, pulling the past into a dynamic present, and encourages a re-evaluation of these untold stories.
His meticulous process sources images from extensive archives like the Smithsonian Institution, as well as personal collections from family and friends, ensuring an intimate connection to the histories he explores. The transformation of these images is not merely aesthetic; it's a profound act of re-contextualization, allowing the subjects to emerge from historical obscurity with renewed presence and significance. The use of scale, often enlarging portraits to near life-size, further intensifies the palpable presence of these figures, inviting viewers into a more personal and immersive engagement with the artwork and the narratives they embody.
The solo exhibition, "Robitussin, Hotcombs & Grease," at the Plattsburgh State Art Museum, offers a deep dive into the multifaceted aspects of Black identity and daily life, as interpreted through Squirewell’s unique artistic lens. The evocative title itself is a poignant reference to commonplace items found in Black households, which, according to the museum, symbolize "hallmarks of domesticity and comfort." This choice of title underscores the exhibition's central theme: the powerful act of reclaiming identity from the clutches of historical anonymity.
Squirewell's approach in this exhibition is to imbue these once-anonymous individuals with an unprecedented sense of panache and status. He achieves this not only through the vibrant textile patterns and artistic embellishments but also by subtly incorporating recognizable luxury brand motifs, such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci, into the fabric of the collages. This fusion of historical imagery with contemporary symbols of style and status highlights an elevated sense of self and cultural pride. The grand scale of the prints plays a crucial role, allowing the subtle nuances of the original photographs to merge with the added layers of paint and glitter. This deliberate blurring of features, combined with the life-size representation, amplifies the emotional impact and personal connection viewers experience, thereby resurrecting and celebrating the vibrant identities of those depicted.
