Everybody seems to want to stereotype artists as being a certain way. For whatever reason, our society wants to label people and keep them organized based on those labels, never allowing them to be anything more than that. As artists, we have the responsibility of constantly bucking those stereotypes, rejecting societal norms, and seeking to surprise people as we explore identity and our own ideas in our work. Which brings me to Terry Crews. Many of you will likely recognize him, even if you don't know his name. He's become a very accomplished actor over the last 20 or so years. As a former pro football player, he has kept in peak physical condition for his acting roles, in which he often lampoons the notion of the brawny, musclebound meathead. Indeed Crews, as an actor seeks to reject the stereotypes of someone with his background and physical attributes. |
However, what you don't know about Crews is that before the muscles, before the Old Spice commercials, before the movies, and before football, he was an artist and illustrator first, and still identifies as such today. He has recently begun designing his own line of furniture, which draws on a mid-century modern approach with an underlying Egyptian flair, and it's beautiful. Crews doesn't rest on being just an athlete, or just an actor, or a feminist (which he is), or just a designer. He is all of those things and more, and truly believes that they are all connected by and through art.
For this assignment, read the articles linked below and reflect on the role of the artist, the stereotypes we put on that role, and the preconceived notions we assign to people. How can you use the story of the REAL Terry Crews to inspire you?
https://archpaper.com/2017/10/terry-crews-bernhardt-designer/#gallery-0-slide-0
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/terry-crews-furniture-icff-definitive-design/index.html
https://www.boredpanda.com/talented-artist-terry-crews/
Your response to this post should be:
1-2 paragraphs in length or more. A paragraph is 5-7 sentences. Above all however, I am looking for you to show me what you think, and that takes a little time.
In addition to your own post, you will need to respond to at least one other person's comment within the discussion forum thread. This means you may have to visit the site more than once to do this assignment. Be respectful of different opinions and keep it about the topic as much as possible.
https://archpaper.com/2017/10/terry-crews-bernhardt-designer/#gallery-0-slide-0
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/terry-crews-furniture-icff-definitive-design/index.html
https://www.boredpanda.com/talented-artist-terry-crews/
Your response to this post should be:
1-2 paragraphs in length or more. A paragraph is 5-7 sentences. Above all however, I am looking for you to show me what you think, and that takes a little time.
In addition to your own post, you will need to respond to at least one other person's comment within the discussion forum thread. This means you may have to visit the site more than once to do this assignment. Be respectful of different opinions and keep it about the topic as much as possible.