Brooklyn-based conceptual artist Cj Hendry is bringing her new collection of large-scale, hyper-realistic pencil drawings to life in Greenpoint with her signature style of interactive art.
Her 10th solo exhibit, entitled “Plaid,” is composed of 24 original art pieces, along with strays from Hendry’s former glossy, three-dimensional works. The two-dimensional drawings, formed by perpendicular lines in dry brush strokes, are designed to encourage the viewer to connect with their inner child and experience a child-like joy.
To further emphasize that idea, the exhibit will engage attendees through a 5,000 square-foot plaid-patterned playground. The installation was designed to mimic the plaid pattern featured in the artwork, said Hendry.
“I enjoy creating conceptual exhibits that take elements of the series and blow them up on a massive scale,” the artist said. “I would love for each original artwork to only be viewed as the entire experience, it brings such a greater depth to the genre of hyperrealism.”
The exhibit’s featured playground, inspired from Hendry’s word-play of plaid and play, unfolded from her observance of the lack of sophistication in the design behind public parks and playgrounds.
“I thought, how great would it be for a playground to be a public art sculpture? My practice is autonomous and trying to work with a government body on a park project presents many challenges,” said Hendry. “So, I said, f— it! I’ll do it myself.”
Hendry’s past exhibits hold true to the theme of pulling the viewer from the role of a passive observer to an active participant.
The artist’s show “Monochrome” was a multi-room home inside of a Brooklyn warehouse with each room entirely monochrome-colored from floor to ceiling.
Meanwhile, “Rorschach” had guests jump through a bouncy house maze in order to reach and view the featured artwork series. “Straya” involved a warehouse full of sand and a scavenger hunt for attendees to solve.
With showcasing around the globe, her exhibits have drawn in several-hour long waits as art-lovers crowd at the doors.
“On a selfish level, I am bored by traditional galleries hanging artworks on white walls. I want to really understand the artist’s vision and that’s what I try to create with my exhibitions,” said Hendry.
Her newest exhibit, “Plaid,” will be located at the corner of Calyer and Newel Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It will be open to the public from April 17-23 for a $10 entry fee.
