Allow Me to Path. John Nelson (Batovsky), artist.
Filthy Casual, a collaborative exhibit featuring the works of John Nelson (Batovsky) and Jesse Lee, will be on view at BlackBird Frame & Art from Friday, November 7, through December 31, with a reception on opening day from 6–8 p.m. The show centers around a poetic theme: “Before ghosting, we dreamt of undergoing changes of heart and changes of mind. Allowing oneself to be knocked unconscious…”
“The quote is just poetic phrasing to go along with the exhibit name,” says Nelson. “Something to evoke the thoughts of the reader to contemplate and make it make sense for the individual, and they will make it mean something to themselves.”
For Nelson, Filthy Casual marks a creative pivot away from traditional painting and into the digital realm. “I had messed around with [digital creation] years back with apps on my phone and recently ran across new apps that offered a much more advanced way [to achieve] the results I was looking for, so I decided to go at it again,” says Nelson. “All these creations are manipulated strictly on my phone, then the digital file is sent to be printed. Once I get the print back I do more line work on it. Then, finally, I’m adapting each frame to tie into the design of the image.”
3D Study II. Jesse Lee, artist
The collaboration with Lee, whose work incorporates a variety of raw materials, adds an additional layer of conversation. “As far as what inspired the show, I felt like Jesse’s use of raw materials—aluminum siding, ceiling tiles, copper—would play well in the same sandbox as my geometric abstract works,” says Nelson. The artists will also be combining their media in a few pieces.
“The introduction of AI-produced art has ruined a lot of digital artists’ meaningful and valid works,” says Nelson. “I hope people take away with them a respect and understanding of digital art.”
BlackBird Frame & Art is located at 365 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville. Learn more at BlackBirdFrame.com.
