Together, Utah’s talented architects, builders and interior designers and the state’s many artists work to make the Mountain West a more beautiful, culturally rich place. And as more designers, artists and creatives flock to the Beehive State, there’s even more need for a collaborative network between creators and curators. Reinforcing that network is exactly what the team at Modern West set out to do as they hosted a Night of Art and Style at their chic gallery space on April 28.
Hosted in partnership with Utah Style & Design, the intimate event invited designers and leaders of art institutions to learn about the many artists that Modern West is representing in 2022. “We are really branching out at Modern West and trying to collaborate more with the community,” says Community Specialist Scout Invie. “We really feel that our gallery and Utah Style have such an impact on connecting with the community, so it felt like an obvious but untapped opportunity to bring people together.”
Between mingling with members of the community, snacking on the chocolate truffles provided, and flipping through the comprehensive booklet giving background on artists, the group studied the exhibition currently on display: Convergence. The duo show features two artists, Sheldon Harvey and Modern West’s own curator and director Shalee Cooper, who both use different mediums to create boldly contemporary works.. Each piece in Cooper’s minimalist installation is composed of several different canvases that can be rearranged by the viewer. “All of her works invite the viewer to curate their own form,” explains Invie. “In that way, her work almost becomes sculpture, even though it is 2D.” Harvey’s paintings and sculptures use vibrant colors and eye-catching cubist compositions. The Diné artist took inspiration from the land, his spiritual exploration and Navajo tradition.
Together, the two bodies of work engage in an alluring conversation—both invite curiosity and open-ended interpretation. The artist also each created their own piece titled Convergence, with the prompt to “create a work that was inspired by the other artist,” Invie explains. The collaboration is exactly the kind of work that Modern West wants to continue, both within their gallery walls and throughout the Rocky Mountains.
Convergence will be on display through May 6. Their next show, featuring seven different artists, will be available for viewing beginning on May 20. Visit the gallery at 412 S. 700 West, Salt Lake City. Open Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
View more exhitions at Modern West here.
