The Grassy Knoll Gallery presents:

bboy - Ward Jenkins
Exhibition Dates // Oct - Nov, 2008
Artists Reception // Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
6-9, Free and open to the public
Live Performance by breakdancers Randm-1, Impulse, Skywalker of Moon Patrol Crew and DJ Computer Fam

“b-boy” is a tribute to the early boogie boys of the Bronx, the original poppin’ & lockin’ dancers who kept the parties live back in the day, back when hip-hop was in its golden, embryonic stage. Using various ‘lo-fi’ materials and surfaces, such as found cardboard, wood, and linoleum, Ward harks back to the essence of the early ingenuity and innovation of hip hop. During the 70’s and early 80’s, kids used a wide variety of surfaces to dance on and perform stylized acrobatic moves. Using what was available, they proved again and again that the brightest sources of creativity often come from the most humble of places. “b-boy”is a tribute to the beginnings of that movement, before the uninformed media brought it to near-fad status.

Ward is an animator and director currently living in Portland, Oregon with his wife and two kids. Originally from Atlanta, he has worked at several award-winning studios such as LAIKA/house and Primal Screen and over the past 12 years, has integrated his quirky style into many broadcast elements and commercials. Graduating with a BFA in Illustration at Georgia State University in 1995, Ward immediately sought work in the animation field. While doing research for a personal project in 2000, he caught the graffiti bug which forever changed his approach in creating his figures and characters. The experience of working larger and on different surfaces terrifically flavored his graphic work and profoundly changed his artistic identity.

About the Gallery
The Grassy Knoll Gallery specializes in the work of innovative illustrators and animators. The gallery is adjacent to Fashionbuddha Studio, located in the historic Merchant Hotel in Old Town, Portland Oregon.

Links:
Grassy Knoll Gallery
Ward’s Site

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