You can always count on discovering something exotic and inventive when attending an opening at projects+gallery, 4933 McPherson Ave. Thursday, September 15th’s debut of Charlie Would… was no exception. Susan Barrett, founder of Barrett Barrera Projects, parent company of projects+gallery, continues to introduce artists you would expect to find only in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles—and yet for most of these artists, the exhibition at projects+gallery in the CWE is the first time their work has been shown in the U.S.
The poster in the entry lists Dominic Michael Salon and Lindenwood University Fashion Design Program as sponsors of Charlie Would…, as Paris-based artist Charlie Le Mindu creates his art using human hair. After being crated up in France and flown to St. Louis, the wigs needed fluffing and a stitch here and there, which is why stylists from Dominic Michael and Lindenwood fashion design students were called in to assist. Hairdreams, an international company specializing in hair extensions, is also a sponsor.
Multi-disciplinary artist Charlie Le Mindu, middle, is photographed with Susan Barrett and left, Stuart Bailey, a friend of the gallery.
Another view of the artist.
Le Mindu’s “Gold Sabah” is shown above. As Barrett says: “His pieces challenge us to look at new mediums and redefine what we think of as sculpture.”
Newly-appointed Senior Director of projects+gallery, Bridget Melloy, is photographed above.
Examples of Le Mindu’s “Metal Queen.”
Le Mindu has exhibited at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and Palais de Tokyo.
The entry to Le Mindu’s undersea world where fluorescent jellyfish and fantastical creatures, shown below, float in the darkness, was also an enticing backdrop for photo ops.
Project Runway alum Michael Drummond was in the crowd.
The artist’s multidisciplinary work includes art direction of storefront windows at Galleries Lafayette Paris and Bordeaux, and offbeat videos. These are best viewed at the gallery.
Charlie Would…will remain on view at projects+gallery, 4933 McPherson Avenue, until November 19. Gallery hours are 11 to 5 Wednesday through Saturday.