UPCOMING EXHIBITION
Scarab Club Detroit
51st Annual Photography Exhibition
APRIL 21st - MAY 28th, 2022
The Scarab Club is pleased to present its 51st annual photo exhibit group show featuring the works of local Detroit photographers. I'm excited to announce that a piece from Shipwreck Detroit shown above, was selected and will be featured in this exhibit.
Opening reception: Thursday April 21st from 5pm to 8pm
Scarab Club: Located at 217 Farnsworth St, Detroit Michigan 48202
ABOUT THE WORK
Shipwreck Detroit is an ongoing series which focuses on the phenomenon of illegally dumping boats within the city limits. While illegal dumping is a nationwide issue with serious legal consequences and can lead to serious health and environmental problems for municipal residents, Detroit is unique. With over 600 tons of illegal refuse finding a home in vacant lots weekly, abandoned nautical vessels are all but commonplace if you call Detroit home. So much so that you’ll find this topic mentioned in local rap lyrics, album titles, & depicted in contemporary art. Over the past two years I’ve compiled a series from my hometown that acknowledges the socioeconomic factor of why these vessels are being discarded. Due to a combination of circumstances, including the trickle down from hard financial times as a result of Detroit’s 2013 bankruptcy, and an overabundance of high priced boat storage, the city is still trying to catch its breath. “Shipwreck Detroit” sets a tone for not only my approach to photojournalism but relies heavily on the juxtaposition of Detroit’s urban renewal through which I’m proud to document and present to you.
Scarab Club of Detroit
Renamed the Scarab Club in 1913, the club grew in popularity and member Lancelot Sukert, a Detroit architect, designed the current clubhouse, which opened its doors on October 5, 1928. The interior of the club is decorated with objets d'art created and contributed by members over the decades. The building showcases exquisite tile sculptures from Pewabic Pottery, including the Scarab Club logo. The ceiling beams of the lounge once served as the club's guest book, and poet Vachel Lindsay signed as one of the first visitors. Since then, signing the beam has become a ceremonial honor, and the autographs of artists including John Sloan, Diego Rivera, Pablo Davis, Marcel Duchamp, Norman Rockwell, and John Sinclair appear on the beams.
I hope you can make it out to see the exhibit in this historical landmark!