Robert Pruitt

I have been educated by the contemporary art system, but my neighborhood, and most of its residents, is unaware of this world, and that world is unaware of them. This is the dichotomy out of which I work. An inhabitant of two worlds, my work attempts to bridge the gap between African cultural traditions supposedly lost to African Americans, and contemporary art making tactics. I fuse Hip-hop sensibilities and a revised sense of history with a penchant for the found (or cheaply bought) object. I romanticize the revolutionary ideologies of the seventies, the dope fresh styles of the eighties, and the conceptual art making practices of the nineties. I collect objects, quotes, and events from my stereotypically disenfranchised neighborhood, bring them back to my studio and mix them up to make art. My materials, to me, are artifacts stained with memory and meaning. I use these artifacts to make objects and images that expound on the black condition in America, and I use a chitlin circuit style of humor to sneak it into the subconscious of my audience.

Robert Pruitt, 2004


Robert Pruitt
		They just mad cuz they kaint get between us, 2002 See more of Robert's Work at Project Row House in Houston, TX starting on October 16, 2004 You can also see Robert's work at the Clementine Gallery in NYC. Congratulations to Robert! Artadia 2004 Winner www.artadia.org
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I have been educated by the contemporary art system, but my neighborhood, and most of its residents, is unaware of this world, and that world is unaware of them. This is the dichotomy out of which I work. An inhabitant of two worlds, my work attempts to bridge the gap between African cultural traditions supposedly lost to African Americans, and contemporary art making tactics. I fuse Hip-hop sensibilities and a revised sense of history with a penchant for the found (or cheaply bought) object. I romanticize the revolutionary ideologies of the seventies, the dope fresh styles of the eighties, and the conceptual art making practices of the nineties. I collect objects, quotes, and events from my stereotypically disenfranchised neighborhood, bring them back to my studio and mix them up to make art. My materials, to me, are artifacts stained with memory and meaning. I use these artifacts to make objects and images that expound on the black condition in America, and I use a chitlin circuit style of humor to sneak it into the subconscious of my audience. Robert Pruitt, 2004
Studio 107 was created to establish a dialogue among contemporary artists and to introduce contemporary art to more of Austin, TX. The works shown at Studio107 are edgy, contemporary, humorous, and technically excellent in execution, concept, implication or all three. The artists who show in this space are dedicated to producing high quality art even if it means late nights after a hard day's work somewhere else. They strive to challenge their peers to achieve a higher level of perception. If you would like to see the work in person or get on our mailing list email liz@studio107.com or call 512.477.9092. Studio 107 is in the downtown area of Austin, TX in the 200 block of East 5th ST, Unit 107. If you would like your work considered for future shows mail slides, cd with digital images or color photocopies to Studio 107 411 Brazos, Unit 107, Austin, TX 78701