I have developed a bit of an obsession with the art department of thrift stores. The curation that goes on there is so interesting to me... Artwork that was acquired, used, and then discarded. Outside of this setting, the notion of 'used' doesn't seem to fit with the idea of artwork. Much of the art here is cheaply framed and produced with non-archival materials. It does actually self destruct over time and it does seem to be used.
San Felipe, Artist Proof, signed La Febre '81
I think it could be fun to use thrift stores as a vector for sharing artwork. Where does it go when you place it in this setting? It could be really fun to defy expectations here. Note the established themes, or memes, and tweak them just a little. Thrift stores have a completely different set of cultural barriers and sorting mechanisms than art galleries. Aside from aspiring to show my work in a thrift store, I also am modestly collecting 'used' artwork. I recently acquired the above piece from Savers. A sweet little linocut of The Cathedral in Old town Albuquerque backed by the Sandia Mountains.
When browsing the artwork I note themes, a few of them are:
-Uplifting Inspirations- quotes imposed over a lovely landscape, or a cute animal. We've all seen these motivational pieces. I know I stare at a couple of posters like this every time I get my teeth cleaned.
-Love & Craft... cross stitched pieces from a kit, or a heart and the word 'Home' painted on a piece of wood. These always bring to mind Mike Kelly and his 1987 More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid and The Wages Of Sin.
-20 year old posters of the greatest hits from Western Art History.
-Regional art- Here in Albuquerque, it's Acrylic mesa sunsets with outlandish palettes, sand paintings and renderings of Native Americans communing with eagles, photos of hot air balloons, cathedrals and the Sandia Mountains. These regional pieces are especially entertaining when they land outside of their geographically appropriate zone. The other day I smiled as I flipped past an 'Anchorage Alaska' lithograph of fishermen cleaning their nets.
-There are framed posters of fading pop-culture icons. I rarely recognize these people, but it's clear that the fanbase is evolving.
-And, of course, there is religious art. Most thrift stores have a crucifixion image available, maybe a bible quote.
Mixed in with all those predictables are occasional treasures. Sometimes there is something actually made by hand, and made well. Perhaps it fits into the categories I previously mentioned, perhaps not. It is fun to find something well framed and fresh from an estate, while others carry an illegible signature and yellowed mat revealing that the artist didn't expect things to last. In this setting, I need not ask questions of investment and value. I do not get to meet the artist. I do not get to read their artist statement, (or blog for that matter). This collection is guided by one true question, "Do I like something about it?"