Art Prize: Scott Covert

So, a few weeks ago I mentioned a little thing called ArtPrize that occurs in Grand Rapids, Michigan every fall. Well, the art competition is underway and there are so many amazing pieces of contemporary art to see. Unfortunately, I cannot view the art in person and must rely instead on digital images of the pieces that get posted on www.artprize.org . It is quite difficult to pick favorites among such a long and eclectic assortment of entries, but I’m going to showcase a few of them over my next few posts. The first of which is a compilation of grave rubbings by Scott Covert entitled “Compilation CSG No 105”( http://www.artprize.org/scott-covert/2012/compilation-csg-no-105). Done with a rainbow of vibrant oil crayons, Covert has spent the last ten years travelling around Europe and the U.S. to find the perfect headstones to make rubbings of—those of well known names and obscure ones. Covert devoted a decade of his life to making his vision of “Compilation CSG No 105” a reality. Even though many may think grave rubbings to be grotesque or a dark subject matter, I view it as a way of honoring those who have passed away, famous or not, because all life is valuable. And Covert’s color palette doesn’t allow us, as the viewers, to become depressed or creeped out—the bright colors are intoxicating in the best of ways. This piece is beautiful, and I wish I could’ve appreciated it in person. And as a side note, I can’t help but be just a bit envious of Scott Covert and his ten years of globetrotting. To be free to travel would be so lovely J

Article written by:  Alexandra Dailey