ART COLORADO
Shawn Huckins Hand of a Young Man in Purple Satin Fabric 2024 oil and acrylic on canvas 42 x 34 inches
NKollectiv continues its focus on local art with a new exhibition by Elissa Quist
“Them,” a new exhibition of artist Elissa Quist’s work at NKollectiv, is a collection inspired by an abstract approach to portraiture using techniques of chiaroscuro and simultaneous contrast. Chiaroscuro refers to the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, and simultaneous contrast refers to the use of split complementary colors. By using intense color with the contrast of light and shadow, Quist creates a feeling of balance and a sense of captivation.
“This work is a study in abstract portraiture with each painting being a representation of those closest to me. ‘Them’ captures my perception of each person’s essence expressed through color, line, and form. I then overlay geometric patterns and shapes to encapsulate specific moments in time that can include shared experiences, conversations, or how their life is structured. I see this work as windows — both looking in and looking out — with a view of intimate understanding and outward observation,” says Quist.
Describing her process, Quist says, “Working in cold wax medium and oil paint, I begin each painting with a colorful under painting, a vibrant and unrestrained field to work with. Adding layers, I cover some areas while preserving others. Using solvents, I then excavate through the multiple layers, revealing surfaces and color. I use tools to scrape, make lines and shapes to develop composition and finalize the piece.”
NKollectiv is owned and curated by artist Nicole Korbe. Nicole has been an energetic part of
Elissa Quist: (cover image) detail of Her Island (top) Connections (bottom) Her White Whale
the Denver art community since 2016 when she felt herself driven by a previously unknown passion to paint. A self-described “nerd with an artistic streak,” Korbe graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1998 with a degree in biology and an emphasis in botany. Her subsequent career led her from conducting field studies as an environmental consultant to project management, ultimately ending up in an engineering department at an electric power provider. Her admittedly workaholic nature served her well in the corporate world, but she was not fulfilled.
An avid admirer of art, Korbe embarked on various creative endeavors for short periods of time to exercise the right side of her brain and provide much-needed creative therapy and di-
Her Character (bottom) His Letterboxd
version. In 2016, this led her to experiment with acrylic painting. She soon found herself on a journey she did not expect. Prolific in her passion, she quickly amassed an ever-growing collection of paintings that filled up the dining room in the condo she shared with her then-husband. “It became apparent that I needed to get a studio pretty fast, or we would be buried in paint and canvas.”
The Globeville Riverfront Art Center (GRACe) was the first of several locations where she would practice and grow her skills, experimenting with various media. Eventually, she ended up in the Art District on Santa Fe which she felt was the perfect place to be. She became a member of the Artists on Santa Fe (AOSF) cooperative gallery in 2017, moving her studio there in 2018. She found herself wanting a studio where she could interact directly with the community and also support and feature
other local artists.
Korbe established NKollectiv in 2021, first opening in Littleton’s Aspen Grove Shopping Center as a temporary location. The mall was offering affordable short-term lease agreements and it allowed her to try out the business model and make sure she was willing to commit to a higher risk and longer-term location. “I found my happy place in curating and running the gallery on my own terms, while having the opportunity to interface with people who were interested in art, either as admirers, fellow artists, or collectors.” Korbe knew she wanted to take NKollectiv back to the Art District on Santa Fe.
“Them” opening night reception is on Friday, July 19 from 6 to 9 pm. The exhibition runs through Aug 11. 960 Santa Fe Dr / nkollectiv.com
(above) Elissa Quist, Martian Chronicles
February 16 March 21
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June 21
August 1
760 Santa Fe Drive, 11-5pm Tues-Sat 303-635-6255 michaelwarrencontemporary.com
Deb Adams Welles Ann Marie Auricchio Jennifer Bain Jeff Baldus
Andrew Beckham Brenda Biondo Teresa Booth Brown Eva Bovenzi
Robert Brinker Isa Catto K Rhynus Cesark Raul de la Torre
Anna Dvorak Richard Eisen Angela Faris Sharon Feder
John Garrett Jody Guralnick Liz Hickok Fred Hodder Tom Hoitsma
Jeff Horton Etsuko Ichikawa Pamela Joseph Margaret Kasahara
Eden Keil Gwen Laine Margaret Lawless Marietta Patricia Leis
William Loveless Nancy Lovendahl Mike McClung Thomas Müller
Merdith Nemirov Peter Olson Kelton Osborn Collin Parson
Jay Phillips Sara Ransford Mark Rediske Andrew Roberts-Gray
Melanie Rothschild Lorelei Schott Brian Shields Paul Sisson
Allison Stewart Floyd D Tunson Sherry Wiggins Meghan Wilbar
“Visible Planets” Returns to Denver for its Second Edition, a Bigger and Better Showcase of Renowned Rappers and Art
After a spectacular debut in 2023, “Visible Planets: World-Renowned Rappers and Their Visual Art” is back for its second year, promising to be bigger and better. This program, featuring a unique fusion of music and visual art, will run for three days from August 2-4, 2024. The lineup includes both new and returning artists, a new concert venue, and a free outdoor jam session. The event offers fans a glimpse into the multifaceted creativity of notable rappers who carry messages of social justice, peace, respect, self-worth, and community.
“We are thrilled to bring Visible Planets back again,” said co-creator Dan Drossman “The overwhelming response to our first event showed us just how fun it is to celebrate and provide a platform for these inspiring artists to express themselves beyond
their music. This year, we aim to offer an even more unforgettable experience.”
The weekend starts with the opening of an art exhibition at Bitfactory Gallery on First Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm, where many of the artists will be in attendance to visit with fans. The show highlights the unknown or overlooked visual artistry of participating rap musicians. The night of August 3 is a ticketed rap concert in the opulent ballroom of the newly renovated El Jebel event center on 17th and Sherman St. in Downtown Denver. This all-ages show will be dense with powerful performances by popular rap artists, food and beverages for sale and a variety of other vendors. A selection of artwork from the exhibition will also be on view at the show. Sunday brings the uplifting vibes to Benedict Fountain
(above) Georgia Anne Muldrow, Untitled
Park on 20th and Tremont for a free and open-to-the-public outdoor gathering and jam session led by Georgia Anne Muldrow. Attendees are welcome to watch or participate. This gathering will also feature a freetrade outpost where items can be donated or picked up.
Among the performers and/or artists are: Georgia Anne Muldrow, a cultural technologist, electronic musician, mother, mentor, activist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and Instrument of Ancestors who’s collaborated with everyone from Erykah Badu to Big Daddy Kane to Anderson .Paak. Born in L.A., she was raised and steeped in the Afrocentric art technologies of Leimert Park. Quelle Chris, a self-taught visual artist inspired by his father’s paintings and brother’s graphic art, works mostly with pen and graphics while dabbling in other genres. Armed with a dark, self-deprecating sense of humor, he pokes fun at himself while addressing serious personal concerns and social issues. Homeboy Sandman’s collaboration with Aesop Rock, “Ask Anyone,” was featured on the FIFA 21 soundtrack, while his collaboration with Quelle Chris, “Don’t Feed The Monster” was listed in NPR’s top 50 albums of 2020. Homeboy Sandman was vital in bringing these artists together and is par-
(top) Peformers and producers at last year’s Visible Planets; (middle) Homeboy Sandman performs (bottom) Quelle Chris performs. Photos by Ashley Garrett Photography
ticipating in the event as a musical artist only. His sister Natalie del Villar will be part of the art show portion of the program. Deca, a gestalt rapper, producer, and visual artist originally from Denver but now based in New York, made music for several years before taking an interest in visual arts, especially acrylic and paint. His work has been exhibited in galleries in NYC and Denver, and he has designed most of his album covers. Fresh Daily, an MC known for his creative approach to hip-hop, blending elements of jazz, soul, and classic boom-bap and focusing on themes of everyday life, is not only a lyricist but also an illustrator and graphic designer. His artistic style is influenced by graffiti, street art, cartoons, comic books, and manga, all seen through the diasporic lens of his Caribbean heritage and African-American experience growing up in Brooklyn. Oddisee, the son of Sudanese and American parents who was born and raised in Washington, DC, grew up amidst the sound of New York hip-hop. He has performed with The Roots and produced for Jazzy Jeff, Little Brother, & De La Soul, while becoming a world-renowned musician. He has been featured everywhere from Time Magazine and USA Today to Pitchfork and Rolling Stone. His art will be featured in the program. Lily Fangz, an internationally touring live performance artist, producer, and poet who blends genres and invokes the magic of freestyle MCing and crowd participation on every stage, also draws and paints. The past several years have seen a deep ocean dive into an obsession with Octopus, realism, fantasy, therapy and abstractions. DJ Felix Fast4ward, a sound painter/producer who deftly alchemizes years worth of turntablism & jazz elements steeped in hip-hop + pop music with droplets of avant garde elements, will be performing and showing his art. Del the Funky Homosapien, the renowned rapper from Oakland, CA, will also be featured in the art show.
Visible Planets opening at Bitfactory on Friday, August 2 from 6 to 9 pm. Rap concert at El Jebel on August 3. Free concert at Benedict Foundation Park on August 4th. / visibleplanets.com
(top) Quelle Chris, Fatt Father (middle) Deca, The Valley Below (bottom) Natalie del Villar, Secret Garden
