Dark Clouds Never Left: New Exhibit Celebrates 20 Years at Skewville

Step into a realm where art intertwines with urban tales – an upcoming exhibition paying homage to the enigmatic Darkclouds, an iconic presence that has graced streets and galleries since 2003. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, once an artist’s haven, harbored an air of creativity amidst the unsettling backdrop of these ominous clouds. These veiled forms, perhaps reflections of the fog of propaganda during the “Orange Alert” era, emerged from a complex cityscape defined by both resilience and uncertainty.

The Skewville Gallery in Bushwick acts as a poignant time capsule, transporting us back to an era when Williamsburg pulsed with creativity amid the turbulent 2000s. Amidst the atmosphere of ambiguity and encroaching gentrification, Darkclouds emerged as a symbol of apprehension, masterfully filtered by Robin Drysdale’s artistic lens. The cloud’s presence, shifting between somber gray and intense black, set against bursts of vivid color, invites us to engage with this streetwise enigma, challenging perceptions and sparking contemplation.

Dark Clouds (photo © Jaime Rojo)

In this fifth solo exhibition, a celebration of a 20-year artistic journey, the core essence of the original Darkclouds image takes center stage. Evolving from a simple rain cloud, these forms replicate into a mesmerizing array, each iteration a testament to artistic prowess. A grand installation amplifies the heart of the concept, a harmonious interplay of colors, textures, and grit. As you journey through the exhibition, prints, smaller pieces, and stickers provide a tangible connection to the enigma, while steel sculptures stand as sentinels, embodying the resilient vitality nurtured under Darkclouds’ gaze.

Dark Clouds (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Dark Clouds (photo © Jaime Rojo)
Dark Clouds (photo © Jaime Rojo)
238
138
45