MODCITI.DALLAS ISSUE 14 OCTOBER 2020

oct ‘20

// in america - joey brock ro2art

LIGHTS

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all the WORLD’S a STAGE

by Kendall Morgan

Dallas-based Lisa Stapp has built a thriving career on bringing out the best in every home she touches.

possessions around the abode. Formerly on the market for two years, the listing sold in a mere two weeks.

One of the city’s most successful home stagers, it may be surprising to learn her decade-long business began as a bit of a lark. When she and her former husband (residential real estate broker Clay Stapp) moved into an ultra-modern townhome, Lisa’s bachelorette furnishings went into storage. As Clay Stapp had a property that needed a little extra pizzaz, he recommended arranging her

“Back then, I was working in the securities market and traveling all over the world,” Stapp recalls. “But I had always done (decorating). Any time my siblings sold their homes, they’d ask me to help them, and in college, my roommates would disappear for the day while I pulled everything together. My mom rearranged the furniture all the time, so I was always around really creative people.”

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In the beginning, Stapp didn’t even charge market rates for her services. She billed for nominal fees or staged properties for free to get her name out there—and it worked. Her name quickly grew as she proved herself a master of making over homes that had sat on the market for months or even years.

“I built up a reputation with the harder places to sell. When you’re trying to get rid of your house, it’s a project. No one wants to buy your furniture and pictures. You have to simplify things and clean it up. We always want to make a home look more expensive than it is because then people

think they can’t afford the house, but they can. It’s like a mind trick! You hire stagers to show life in a house or sell a house faster because it sets up a dream.”

Grabbing stuff from anywhere she could, including handme-downs from a friend or Ikea, Stapp developed an aesthetic all her own. Her mix of affordable and expensive furnishings came across to the average home buyer as colorful and unique with a propensity for bright hues and modern lines.

“I was doing a completely different style, which I think

// photos by costachristmedia

pissed people off at first. In the beginning, it wasn’t your normal beige and taupe and brown. I feel like people are less afraid to offend other people now. Before you tried to appeal to this wider audience and be safe and use the beige, but now you can put a picture of Marilyn Monroe blowing a bubble in a two-million-dollar home, and no one will care.�

Though Stapp would take weeks to design a home in the early days, she has since honed her methodology to be fast and furious. She never gives quotes over the phone, preferring to see each house individually before she names her price. Spending just five minutes downstairs, she’ll take photos on her cellphone while imagining

which pieces in the vast 14,000-square foot warehouse she rents on Harry Hines Boulevard would bring a space to life.

“I used to draw everything out, but I don’t do that anymore. I snap pictures real, real fast; then I walk out.

After that, we go to the warehouse and pull the stuff.

We always overshop the warehouse. I might take three different sets of dining chairs over to a single home.”

One thing a client won’t see her do is duplicate rooms.

A self-professed perfectionist, Stapp prefers to mix her funky art and artistic textures in a fresh way for each project. She finds a lot of her hero pieces at the Dallas Market Center and Design District shops like Scout. If Ikea is occasionally in the mix, generic styles will be customized with upholstery or paint. And, if she can’t find artwork she likes, Stapp creates it herself. Even something that wasn’t meant to be art—such as sculptural elements intended for a garden—will find its way onto her walls.

// photos by costachristmedia

Though she has a Facebook profile and an Instagram feed (@stagedbystapp), the designer keeps a low profile in the industry and doesn’t even have a website. When her clients need to find her, they will—to date, Stapp has enlivened over 600 homes.

Stapp says her chosen career is far from glamorous, but she loves every aspect of the business nonetheless.

Citing staging as “90 percent logistics and 10 percent

creativity,” it’s the intimate and intuitive aspects of her job that continue to excite and engage her as the years go by.

“It’s a job, but it’s also very personal. You’re taking your opinion of the way someone’s house should look and putting it out there. Some people may not like it, and some may love it. It just comes back to what the client wants.” @stagedbystapp

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// photo credit: stewart cohen

REPRESENTATION MATTERS

“In America” by Joey Brock at Ro2Art

by Kendall Morgan

In his multi-media show at Ro2 Art, Joey Brock inspires empathy and engagement through a plethora of personal stories.

How we view ourselves—and how others view us—has been at the forefront of artists’ minds in 2020. Yet the subject of identity is a loaded one, as Dallas artist Joey Brock has discovered in his current body of work.

“It’s about people’s discrimination from all walks of life,”

Brock says of his show “In America,” on view at Ro2 Art at Akard Street through October 31.

The concept began with a simple self-portrait. An abstract artist for many years, Brock was accepted into an artist’s residency in 2018 at M. David and Co. in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

“I wanted to do something more content-driven,” he recalls. “I just turned 50, and I wanted to have some

// silent scream self portrait, 2019

reflection on my life. What unfolded was about what you hide and reveal in your work, and I wanted to talk about what I hide and reveal in myself. I’m a self-taught artist, so I thought I had to do more, more, more to prove myself, but I realized I don’t have to do more; I just have to do it well. That was a turning point for me.”

Growing up gay in a religious family, Brock had struggled for years with self-image. To express what it felt like to be an outsider, he switched up his aesthetic by using Mylar drafting film to print a portrait taken with his iPhone.

Collaged and stitched with caterpillars all over his face, it became a totem of self- and body-acceptance.

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Brock also utilized Styrofoam packing that typically holds printer cartridges to create sculptural works of resin that “look like crucifixes.” By mounting his self-portrait on a light stand to represent a standing body, he made the viewer become a voyeur into his mental state. Realizing his conceptual process helped him express broader issues about identity, he decided to bring more subjects into the conversation, creating work that helps tell their personal stories.

“That’s how I started to get into social practice—inviting people from all walks of life and interviewing them about their experience with discrimination,” Brock recalls. “I came back to Dallas and started with my friend group.

I’d take their portrait almost like a mug shot, and then sit down and ask them all the same questions (about discrimination).”

With his subjects ranging in age from 24 to 86 and encompassing all different races, Brock was surprised at the replies he encountered, particularly when the microphones were turned off. Culling over three and a half hours of audio from his interview sessions, he created an aural backdrop that supported his stitched together portraiture. Along with his cross-like sculptures, video, and images, he sealed hand-me-down T-shirts given by his subjects into an additional piece.

“I asked people to wear something they would give me at the end (of the shoot). It’s a metaphor for shedding the skin. When I started this project 23 months ago, I looked at some of these things they gave, which have messages.

One said, “We are a movement,” one had a handgun.

There was an American Flag with MTV. There was all this

// anh mixed media on my, 2020 29x23 inches

messaging that people were contributing that maybe they were thinking about, or maybe they weren’t, but it was so ironic to me.”

With its subtle sloganeering, “In America” may seem spookily prescient for these fractious times. In reality, it was a lifetime in the making for Brock.

Born in the tiny Texan town of Hamilton west of Waco, the artist attended school in fashion merchandising. Inspired by a former partner to explore a creative outlet, he started painting 20 years ago, initially giving charities work to get

// donnie dillon hybrid v3,2020 mixed media on mylar, 51.5x43in.

// marion v2 mixed media on mylar, 2020 49x39in.

his name out into the industry. Brock opened his studio in 2009 and was approached to join Craighead Green’s stable a few years later, where he was represented until 2018.

Having contributed smaller pieces to Ro2’s annual “Chaos” shows, he found the gallery’s ambitious programming made it the perfect place to unveil more conceptual work.

Inspired by a Robert Frank book, “In America” is just the beginning of a conversation Brock hopes to continue with further exploration and larger installations down the line.

Union Square, 1988, oil on linen, 72" x 120". Collection of Bryant and Nancy Hanley.

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// gllian in peach, 2020 mixed media on mylar, 49x39 in

“I’d like to expand into different demographics,” he explains.

I’d like to explore the transgender community—they’ve been left behind in the gay rights movement. I need to use my platform to help elevate their voices, so I’m thinking about that next.”

Brock feels this body of work can engage viewers in many different venues. He hopes that—even though there’s not an easy solution to the problems of prejudice and assimilation—beginning dialogue is a much needed first step.

“I think I’m hoping for a broader audience to see this work to build greater empathy and challenge our perceptions and identity. I’m not trying to solve the problem; I’m trying to start a conversation. Many // form 09, cast resin, 2020 6x5x3 in

people who have looked at the exhibition think it’s timely and moving. It’s not in your face like activism, but it’s a different way of looking at things.”

// form 06, cast resin, 2020 6x5x3 in

“In America” by Joey Brock will have a limited entry closing reception on November 1 from 1 to 4 pm at 110 N Akard Street. ro2art.com

MODERN SPACES

4347 Avondale Ave // $2,500,000 FAISAL HALUM c: 214.240.2575 fhalum@briggsfreeman.com

7805 Yamini Drive // $1,699,000 BECKY FREY 214.536.4727 becky.frey@compass.com

11345 W Ricks Circle// $5,995,000 RYAN STREIFF c. 469.371.3008 ryan@daveperrymiller.com

1918 Olive Street #3001 // $3,750,000 MISSY WOEHR + ILENE CHRIST c: 214.213.9455 missy.ilene@compass.com

{NEIGHBORHOOD} FINDS A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD Modern furnishings studio and gallery relocates to Design District

by Hardy Haberman

w// photo credit: kurt griesbach

// photo credit: kurt griesbach

Modern design that mixes clean minimalist lines with approachable organic accents is the mainstay of the {neighborhood} showroom. Featuring two key lines of furniture, Blu Dot and Gus Modern, owners John and Erin Hossley have assembled a collection of furnishings that not only appeal to the eye, but are within a reasonable price range for designers or homeowners.

Their new showroom in the Design District North is a bright expansive space with lots of room to show the furniture and accessories to their best advantage. The couple added a series of large industrial-style windows across

the rear of the showroom opening onto the Trinity Strand Trail greenbelt behind the building, giving the space a very industrial-loft vibe. “We reclaimed the windows from a Chicago factory and had them restored.” John explained.

“They can even be opened during good weather to provide fresh air.”

Their location was formerly in the Bishop Arts District and the decision to move to the design district was not an easy one.

“We knew everyone on the street in Oak Cliff,” said John.

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// cassina 551 super beam sofa

// photo credit: kurt griesbach

// west end square

// photo credit: kurt griesbach

“We had a lot of foot traffic, but not enough room to really give our products the space they deserve.”

Though the new location has less foot traffic, it is much more conducive to visits from designers and people looking for their products and it is easy to find with ample parking.

The first thing I noticed when I visited was the colorful pillows, textiles and artisan crafts that accent the furniture.

Much of it comes from Mexico. “When we visited Mexico in 2016,” John recalled, “we originally set out on an adventure to find artisanal mezcal, unknowingly we found a rug maker in Oaxaca.” Inspired by Zapotec designs and the colors of Teotitlán del Valle, a small weaving collective near Oaxaca, {neighborhood} has introduced a custom designed line of rugs, hangings and pillows created in collaboration with the talented artisans of Oaxaca.

In addition to the textiles the showroom has generous wall

Engage Educate Experience Enjoy

The Dallas Architecture Forum is for everyone who wants to experience inspired design. The Forum presents an award-winning Lecture Series that brings outstanding architects,interior designers, landscape architects and urban planners from around the world, as well as Symposia, Receptions at architecturally significant residences, and Panel Discussions on issues impacting North Texas.

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// belo gardens photo credit: david woo

space to hang work by local artists. Original works as well as prints bring another accessible touch to the modern designs. The furniture itself is the star of the new space.

Many of the designs have a distinctive mid-century modern look with clean lines and low profiles. Having tried a few of them out on my visit, I can attest to their comfort.

The two furniture lines Gus Modern and Blu Dot both offer elegant, timeless, simple designs with sturdy construction

and a variety of fabric coverings. Both lines offer beautiful furniture that will look great and last for years at accessible price points.

The new showroom is located at the corner of Converse and Chemical Streets in the north end of the Design District at 2532 Converse St. The showroom and gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. neighborhood-store.com

CADDALLAS.ORG 2020 MEMBERS 500X Gallery Carneal Simmons Contemporary Art Conduit Gallery Craighead Green Gallery Cris Worley Fine Arts Erin Cluley Gallery Galleri Urbane Marfa+Dallas Holly Johnson Gallery RO2 Art Talley Dunn Gallery Valley House Gallery & Sculpture Garden

modern

cravings // modo chandelier designed by jason miller available at scott+cooner

// rina menardi’s collection - a fusion of art, design and craftsmanship available at smink art + design

// blade sectional sofa designed by ransom culler for thayer coggin. available at living modern home

your modern

calendar

Modern events and activities make for fall fun around the Metroplex.

Dirk Denison Dallas Architecture Forum // nov05

Fair Park Tram Tour Ad Ex // nov18

2020 Preservation Achievement Awards Preservation Dallas // nov18

ROCKITECTURE Ad Ex // nov19

The Landry Legacy Event Dallas Historical Society // nov12

2020 Nasher Prize Laureate Michael Rakowitz Nasher Sculpture Center

Dalí’s Divine Comedy Dallas Museum Of Art

Mark Bradford: End Papers Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, please confirm availability of viewing these exhibits.

modern

art galleries

Modern art, exhibits, around the Metroplex.

Dallas Collects Roger Winter at KHFA Kirk Hopper Fine Art

Bumin Kim + Nicole Havekost RO2ART

Robert Lansden Cris Worley Fine Arts

Todd Camplin Holly Johnson Gallery

Fahamu Pecou + Ted Larsen + Christopher Mir Conduit Gallery

Earlie Hudnall, Jr PDNB Gallery

John Pomara Barry Whistler Gallery

Denise Brown + Rebecca Shewmaker + Pamela Nelson Craighead Green Gallery

Gabriel Dawe + Leonardo Drew Talley Dunn Gallery // view current shows online or appointments maybe available