In their recent collaboration, aptly titled Osmosis, artists EMO (Caleb Keitt) and Blac (Kenny Mason) have created a show that perfectly blends their two distinctive creative styles. Keitt is primarily a textile artist who blends his graphic design knowledge and skills with the tangibility of fabric and clothing, and Mason is a painter and graffiti artist who blends fields of bright color with his gestural portraiture. Osmosis is a series of pieces that integrate their unique styles and become something entirely new.
The title, Osmosis, came from a conversation between the two artists where they were discussing what a show together could look like, when Keitt described learning specific skills from an older artist by observation and working together, by osmosis: "I described it as learning through osmosis; just working near an experienced creative can inspire and teach another how to think and work differently," which is what Mason wanted for this collaboration as well. This occurred in different ways, from Mason showing Keitt how to make paper and sharing old photographs that hold significance that would be turned into cyanotypes, to Keitt showing Mason how to embroider on apparel and use his tufting gun to create custom rugs and framed pieces. "The mediums we work in are very different, but we both admire each other's abilities," says Mason.
The way each piece they created together perfectly blends their unique styles really draws viewers in and invites them into the conversation between the two artists. A perfect example is their piece titled Photo iD, in which Keitt has created a self-portrait made of tufted material and a cyanotype of a painting Mason painted of Keitt, along with a Rocky Horror Picture Show-style mouth. Another example of their collaboration is the CANNOTSEE mirror series, in which Mason spray-painted bright colors and star designs on top of several drawings Keitt had rendered beneath. There are several spots where the drawings are visible beneath and blend perfectly with Mason's colors and designs.
When asked what he enjoyed most about working with Mason, Keitt said, "The best part about working with Kenny is his positivity and ability to add to and complete an idea." Osmosis is engaging and inclusive, bright, and colorful, and clearly demonstrates how much Keitt and Mason enjoy working together. As Mason puts it, "We together are moving and changing with this collaboration. Trying things together that we might not try alone." Viewers will appreciate this show for the way these artists have come together to create and encourage one another in their crafts. The two artists hope for more collaborative opportunities in the future.