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The Crystal Cave- Works by Thomas the Younger
February 7, 2019 @ 6:00 pm - March 1, 2019 @ 6:00 pm
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Tapp’s is thrilled to announce Thomas the Younger’s exhibition The Crystal Cave will open February 7th, 2019. A semi-autobiographical exhibition about his journey as an artist and social activist, Thomas invites the visitor to journey with him down a path to self-awareness and social consciousness through an installation inspired by Mary Stewart’s fantasy novel, The Crystal Cave.
About The Crystal Cave:
The Crystal Cave is a rite of passage tale of Merlin, magical advisor to Kind Arthur. Merlin’s young life is permeated with ridicule and isolation, but he perseveres while journeying through the steps and missteps of life.
In the story, Merlin retreats frequently to a crystal cave to discover revelations about the world, humanity and himself, and it is this facet which struck a chord with Thomas the Younger. His youthful experiences mirrored the hardships of Merlin, and, while he searched for his own answers, art became Thomas’ ‘Crystal Cave’.
Thomas the Younger states, “Artists chronicle the journeys of Humanity. -Cave paintings; pottery shards; cuneiform in clay; a figure in marble–the task, always, of capturing a past or present…and perhaps influencing a future. Thus, I seek to vivify (and revivify) the wearied minds of beholders. To tell tales, and weave well in the telling. To dream a Tomorrow. And enrich a Now. …draw nigh, comrade, that i might show you a place most peculiar! it’s right next to this one, actually–it is, but it has been somewhat hidden. come.”His story will be presented in the gallery featuring Afro-futurist fantasy pantings and an immersive installation re-creating the crystal cave, allowing visitors the opportunity to discover their own truths.
About the Artist:
“Perhaps the most important pursuit of an artist is the facilitation of Escapism. Perhaps each project is the equivalent of a Narnian door…or that lamppost beyond, coaxing a wanderer into another realm.”
Thomas Washington Jr. (Thomas the Younger) functions on this premise. Since his childhood, he has produced multitudinous works in this vein—from being hired to illustrate a local graphic anthology, to bringing stories in every medium to light. He strives to breathe life into the fantastical by imbuing it with the familiar…and, of course, to find fun and fulfillment along the way. He thus entertains all sorts of bizarre notions—the importance of world peace, an unshakeable belief in fundamental similarities that make Humanity one big family, intense opinions on interstellar travel, and so-forth. Recently, he took the leap of emerging in his local scene. Joining panel talks and instructor rosters for community arts centers, exhibiting his work, He’s unabashedly joined the dialogue of art’s role In society.