Men and Materials features works by Josh Blackwell, Chris Duncan, Todd Knopke and Michael Salter.

Combining everyday objects, vintage and new, coveted and discarded, craft and fine art materials, these four artists make work that embrace both utility and fantasy.

Josh Blackwell pins his gouache drawings to found vintage scarves, referencing and altering patterns, elevating the discarded (but well designed) clothing item into a new, modernist tableau. Utilizing the gallery’s patio space, Blackwell has installed embroidered plastic shopping bags that flap in the summer breeze.

Chris Duncan’s drawings and sculptures may combine tape, thread, house paint, putty, pencil, gouache and other materials. Ranging in color from hot pink to tan to black, and evoking nature, science and spirituality, each piece radiates energy.

Carpentry, vintage jewelry, denim and tulle are used by Todd Knopke to make sculpture and wall hangings. Used jeans are cut, rearranged and sewn together to make Blue Star, spreading in all directions. A hanging sculpture, Everything Is Beautiful Here, appears to be fretwork covered in glitter, and spells out this hopeful declaration.

Michael Salter’s Styrobots are made of Styrofoam packing materials. He transforms this ubiquitous byproduct of consumerism into playful, but menacing creatures: arms swinging, on the march and ready to roll.