The celebrated Florida Prize in Contemporary Art is back for its 8th edition. The exhibit showcases the most progressive artists in the state. This year's artists include: London Amara, Bonita Springs; Francie Bishop Good, Ft. Lauderdale; Tomás Esson, Miami; Dominique Labauvie, Tampa; Jared McGriff, Miami; Hiromi Moneyhun, Jacksonville; Jamilah Sabur, Miami; Gavin Perry, Miami; Sara Stites, Miami; and Typoe, Miami. (Way to go, South Florida!)
Typoe, Miami
Upon entering the main gallery, to the left Typoe's colorful shapes and forms glow in a black room. Next Francie Bishop Good's colorfully painted sculptures sit against a backdrop of her paintings. Jared McGriff's larger than life figures float on the opposite wall.
Sara Stites, Miami
Wander toward a lavender hallway-like gallery and you find Sara Stites' large scale playful paintings. Click here details interpretation of the work of Sara Stites
Hiromi Moneyhun, Jacksonville
Opposite her paintings are the serious topographical photographs of London Amara. In the following gallery visitors inevitably stop. It is no surprise that the intricate paper art of Japanese native Hiromi Moneyhun captivated visitors. She is the winner of this year's People’s Choice Award. She uses a unique process called "kirie." It is a painstakingly detailed and intricate process of drawing with a blade. Her works dovetail geometry, figures and architectural detail. The result is a beautiful and complex revelation rich in detail.
Dominique Labauvie, Tampa
Next to Moneyhun's paper marvels stand architectonic steel sculptures by Dominique Lebauvie. Moneyhun and Lebauvie's unique techniques thrill.
Tomas Esson, Miami
Then the curators offer a return to the more familiar painterly style of Tomas Esson. At first glance his abstract paintings resemble Abstract Expressionist art. His statement flips that perception. Swirling abstractions begin to show their true colors. Undulating, bubbling, pulsating body parts repulse and entice. The result conjures a Francis Bacon-meets-Egon Schiele oblivion of paint.
Gavin Perry, Miami
Gavin Perry’s resin works are a color retreat. One must contemplate his time invested in each successive layer of highly saturated color resin. While basking in the glorious color, an ominous sound beckons from the last gallery.
Jamilah Sabur
The work of Jamilah Sabur does not disappoint. Explore themes of geology, metaphysics, language and memory in the multidisciplinary artist’s contribution to the exhibit. The 2022 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art remains on view through August 12, 2022.