Not-your-usual Star Wars exhibition comes to Norwest art gallery
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"Jumbos" by Colin Wilson at the "Return of the Start" exhibition at Norwest Gallery of Art. Photos: Annalise Frank/Axios Detroit
In one of the paintings at a new Star Wars-themed art exhibition at Norwest Gallery of Art, a pile of more than a dozen Storm Trooper helmets is being sold out of a shopping cart in front of Cass Corridor bar Jumbo's.
The big picture: "Return of the Start," which began this month and is on display through Oct. 27 at Norwest in Grandmont Rosedale, explores Star Wars and its diverse fan base.
- It offers a "fresh perspective" on the franchise, with works that bring together African traditions, exploration and "visions of alternative worlds," according to Norwest's social media posts.
- Some pieces in the collection from nearly 20 artists are abstract, or Afrofuturism — an evolving term that describes an alternative place for Black people in space or fantasy, or in relation to technology that allows one to escape slavery and discrimination.
Behind the scenes: The exhibition's concept was created by artist Alonso del Arte, a "huge fan" of Star Wars who wanted to do an exhibition allowing artists — especially artists of color — to celebrate their creativity and love for the franchise, Norwest founder Asia Hamilton tells Axios.
- The show includes local artists and international ones such as VonMash of South Africa, with digital projections, sculptures, painting and more.
What they're saying: "I thought it was great, because we had never did any type of fandom-type of exhibit like this before, so I thought it would be a great way to attract viewers," Hamilton says.
- "It was a lot of people wanting to share work that some of them had created for years, but never had the opportunity to show … It's not your average Star Wars stuff, it's their personal feeling or energy toward Star Wars."
Context: Norwest is a contemporary art gallery and event venue that opened in 2018.
- The Star Wars exhibition reflects the gallery's ongoing move toward becoming more of a museum, with educational, specialty and experience-driven shows, says Hamilton. She comes from a museum background, curating for more than 15 years.
- Other Norwest exhibitions in the works include "Naked or Nude: The Art of Body Positivity" and bringing back its "Flower Therapy" exhibition of live flower installations.
If you go: Norwest, located at 19556 Grand River Ave., is open for the "Return of the Start" exhibition noon-6pm Fridays and Saturdays and noon-4pm Sundays.