I Am For Now

Redux hosts new Tim Hussey exhibit, lecture on Friday

One of the coolest things about Charleston is how friendly and unpretentious people are.

You always get a friendly hello as you walk down the street, whether you know people or not.

I don't know the exact reason why artist Tim Hussey lives in Charleston, but I do know that even though he has won numerous national awards for his art and graphic design work and has a fair amount of acclaim in the national art world, to most of us here, he is, endearingly, just Tim.

After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1992 with a focus on photography and illustration, Hussey moved to New York where his first job at MTV involved painting images on set during live broadcasts.

Later, his editorial illustration career evolved through designer roles at Rolling Stone, New York Times, Esquire, GQ and Outside Magazine, to name a few.

In 2000, Hussey was awarded "Top 20 Images of the Year," by American Illustration and is featured annually in Print Magazine and Communication Arts.

Hussey's photographs and paintings have been exhibited nationally in key group and solo exhibitions such as his recent show at Shepard Fairey's Subliminal Projects Gallery in Los Angeles, and Art Basel Miami.

In addition to those publications already mentioned, his art has appeared in publications such as Architectural Digest and NYARTS Magazine, among others.

Hussey is represented locally at Rebekah Jacob Gallery, 169-B King Street.

Here is Jacob's take on his work: "Tim Hussey explores various media through interrelated realms of illustration, figure painting and pure abstraction. His paintings are infused with intense color and texture, allowing the chaotic nature of the media to work to his advantage.

"For Hussey, the act of painting is as important as the finished product, applying mediums like house paint, oil sticks, pen and colored pencil to collaged vintage papers with as much chance as deliberation. His untidy formats and size variations express strong emotions, psychological battles and at times the desire for spiritual comfort."

This Friday, Hussey will present his newest body of work, "I Am For Now," along with a lecture at Redux Contemporary Art Center, 136 Saint Philip Street. The event will be 6-8 p.m. with the lecture beginning at 6 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the gallery at 937-9222.