PLAYGROUND DETROIT presents Chess Moves a solo exhibition by Detroit-based artist Zach Thompson, opening to the public on April 13th.
Thompson explains: The name of the exhibit – “chess,” as in the intellectual game and, “moves” referering to decisions, and that is what inspired it. I feel like life comes down to the decisions we make… and obviously chess is a strategic game to play.
You have to be very strategic in life if you want to get by and be successful, so it represents the series of paintings I’m showing, which is all new paintings I’ve been creating.”
In 2016, he self-published “Misreading My Madness,” an illustrated art book that takes us inside his mental state, mesmerized by the mysteries of this world. The pages contain a familiar feeling of a lost dystopian adolescence, and filled with illustrations that are as “scattered as the creators brain [with emotions that range from] self pity to progressive solutions on how to stay alive.”
His debut exhibition will showcase mixed media paintings inspired by the vitality of Detroit and humanity in general. Each piece tells a different story and enables viewers to immerse themselves in an alternate space and time – as most exceptional art tends to allow.
“I really want to paint by natural light and nothing else… it’s the purest form of seeing your colors.” – Danny Sobor
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Thompson’s work is known online through his social media platforms X and Instagram, where he sells his work.
His dedicated followers have watched his artwork evolve over years, initially drawn to his works based around pop-art culture. “That’s the beauty of the Internet, to have such a large group of people able share experiences and common interests with one another,” he muses.
His artwork can now be found on nearly every continent (except for Antartica). He regularly takes orders online from around the world, packing and shipping out pieces on a weekly basis to collectors from his home studio in Detroit.
