In these strange and stressful times, Chris Tucker welcomed the opportunity to use his creativity to not only comment on what’s going on in the world, but to reconnect with others through art. That’s where the “Mesa College Drive-In: An Outdoor Exhibition” came in, featuring the work of California artists in an outdoor space that people can drive by to view.
“Like most people I know, I’ve been really missing seeing art in person during this pandemic, and the drive-in exhibition was a wonderful chance to participate in something that we’d all been missing. In some ways, I even liked it a little better than traditional exhibits, since the audio tour set a pace for how to move through it, unlike in a gallery opening where I’ve often felt a little rushed and social interactions can be awkward,” he says. “One of my big 2020 goals was to get involved in showing work at galleries, but with COVID, that’s been kind of at a stand-still. This ‘Drive-In’ show seemed like a brilliant way to get some artwork out into the world, without demanding that people crowd into a gallery space.”
About three dozen artists have work on display through Wednesday, with those works being painted or printed onto 3-by-5 banners attached to the fence around the perimeter of Parking Lot 1 at the college. Students from the gallery exhibitions course in the college’s museum studies program curated the exhibition, selecting from more than 45 submissions. The exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with the show closing Wednesday.
Tucker (@_christoon_ on Instagram), 45, is a multimedia digital artist who lives in North Park with his wife, Cara, and their dog, Isis (named after the Egyptian goddess, not the terrorist organization). He took some time to talk about his piece in the “Drive-In” exhibit, titled “Smoking City,” how 2020 has influenced his work as an artist, and sharing a name with a famous and funny actor.
Q: Tell us about the “Mesa College Drive-In: An Outdoor Exhibition.”
A: Every year, the museum studies program at Mesa curates a juried exhibition, usually of local artists who apply to participate. It is an opportunity for students to have hands-on experience with every step of putting on an exhibition. Of course, this year it had to be a lot different. The gallery directors are two really creative, innovative women who figured out a way to make it work, and the students did a wonderful job. Besides being a way to work around pandemic restrictions, I also think it ended up being a way to comment on this particular historical moment — the way we are all trying to engage with one another and with pressing social issues, but doing it in a way that is isolated. To me, that matches the feeling of driving by in a car and engaging with artworks, many of which had social and political relevance.
“Smoking City” by artist Chris Tucker
(Courtesy image)
Q: Can you talk a bit about your digital drawing, “Smoking City”? What was the inspiration for this particular piece? And what did you want to say through this piece?
A: I am a city person. I grew up in a dense, Chicago neighborhood, and I’ve always felt safe and at home in a crowd. This past year, I started thinking about how that is not as true as it used to be — the experience of being in a crowd seems more fraught because of the pandemic, but also I’ve moved to a city that is periodically surrounded by fires (which is new and scary for me, as a Midwesterner). I am also often the only Black person I’ll see in a day in San Diego, which is also new for me, compared to where I am from. So, all of those things probably play into this image a little bit. But it is also about the feeling of watching the world burn, that so many of us have been experiencing. It’s actually burning in wildfires, but also in a more positive and metaphorical way: in the sense of people being willing to put themselves out there and protest and take risks, in order to make it clear that our country’s long history of racist violence is no longer acceptable.
My piece in the exhibit was sort of like a billboard you drive by, but the woman in the image is also at a certain distance from what is happening. I’ve felt over the past few years that I’m watching truly shocking, and often horrifying, things happen in my world, but from this strange kind of distance. It’s a distance I’m grateful and lucky to be able to have, but it is still bizarre. With the title of the piece “Smoking City,” I also meant to specifically reference the confluence of wildfires and protests, and the feeling of watching it all, and being astonished and shocked.
Q: What’s the response been to this particular piece, so far?
A: First, I’m just really surprised and pleased about how much attention this show has received. People are definitely craving cultural experiences. One downside is that there isn’t much chance for discussion and getting feedback (at a traditional gallery opening I’d be standing around talking with people about the work), but in this case, I just drove by in my car like everyone else. But I have been so pleased and grateful that my image has been popular and was included in some of the press about the exhibition. It has also been a nice reminder that the feelings that piece is about — being afraid, freaked out, etc. — are something everyone is going through, which is probably why this image worked for this exhibit and why people relate to it. I do also want to mention that though this did not impact my piece, the exhibition was vandalized a few days ago, with three of the more explicitly political artworks being torn up (they were all artworks that criticized the police or ICE), so that is something else to think about when it comes to how people can act in an outdoor exhibit like this, as opposed to one in a gallery that would be supervised and be locked up at night.
Q: In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen and experienced a lot of civil unrest, protests to address systemic racism and inequality, and a contentious general election. How have these events influenced you as an artist, and what you want to say through your art?
A: One thing that has changed in my art practice in response to this historical moment and everything that is happening, is that I’ve come back to realism after a long time with abstraction. I’ve always gravitated to abstract art, but lately it has felt like communicating with more illustrative and naturalistic imagery makes more sense. I guess I used to really be more inward-looking with my art, and though I still am in some ways, now feels like a time where we all need to look outward more.
I also noticed that, without meaning to, my regular portrait-drawing practice started being more focused on Black faces. I’ve always drawn a broad mix of people, but when I look at my set of more recent portraits, on the balance there have been more images of Black people. Some of this might be about my moving to San Diego from a Blacker city and context, but I also think it is about me feeling like there is more room for, and interest in, images of Blackness. In part because of much of the country’s recent reckoning with systemic racism.
What I love about North Park ...
My neighbors are all really friendly, and there are so many stray cats on my block! I think sometimes that the alley cats are actually running the part of the neighborhood I live in. But more broadly, I love North Park for how walkable it is, and for how I can bike to a lot of other interesting things from here. From our apartment, we can easily walk to North Park, South Park, Golden Hill, Hillcrest, City Heights and Balboa Park. Add biking to that, and we can get anywhere south of the (Interstate) 8. I love being able to explore the park and these neighborhoods, pop into little shops, find the best hidden taco trucks or breakfast places, and all the people-watching that comes with it.
Q: What do you hope people get from seeing your work, and that of the other artists on display, at the “Mesa College Drive-In”?
A: I hope that they get to feel connected to others, despite sitting alone in their cars. I hope that they can look at my piece, or any of the pieces, and be transported to a different situation and into someone else’s shoes. Looking at art is, in my opinion, a way to practice empathy. You have to think about someone else’s intent, their choices, their goals, their circumstances. That’s part of why I like looking at other people’s art. And though it is fun and nice to talk about artwork and be in a crowd in a gallery or museum, there is something special about being able to sit quietly in your own space, like your car, and mull it over at your own pace.
Q: You probably saw this coming, but I have to ask: Chris Tucker. What are you most tired of hearing when people learn your name? Have you sworn off all of the “Friday” and “Rush Hour” movies?
A: I do think people expect me to be funnier! I do my best, but it is a hard name to live up to in that way. Also this is why I include my middle name “Lloyd” a lot! I even named my business LloydWoodcraft since Googling “Chris Tucker” is pretty much only going to lead to you-know-who. But I do love the “Friday” movies.
Q: What’s been rewarding about your work as an artist?
A: One of the most rewarding things about this work is the feeling that a digital drawing is a valid finished artwork that can communicate on its own. After spending so much time with sculpture, with all of its issues of technique and craftsmanship, digital work often feels unfinished to me. I know that’s more about me than the artwork itself, but it just makes me appreciate the way it was received.
Q: What has this work taught you about yourself?
A: Being an artist, and doing all of the art-adjacent jobs I’ve done over the years, has taught me that I am someone who really enjoys problem-solving. I like to figure out how to make something that I picture in my head. Once I’ve figured it out, I lose interest a little, which is why I think I’ve changed art media so much over the years.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: The best advice I have ever received was from my dad, and I got it while I was pretty young. My brother and I were always fighting as kids. We would get into trouble, and it really seemed to break my mom’s heart a little, but my dad always seemed to think it was pretty natural. One day, he told us that little fights like this don’t really matter, you can forget about them as soon as you’re done. Don’t get hooked on narcotics, don’t commit a felony, and wear a condom — those are the things you can’t take back afterward. Again, we were pretty young for that kind of advice, but I have to say, he was right.
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?
A: I think the thing people would be most surprised about is how much I used to fight with my brother when we were young. Physical fights. We were really mean to each other, and I have to say, it was mostly my fault. Anyone who knows me would be surprised about that because I’m a super gentle person now. (Also, my brother and I are great friends now. He forgave me.)
Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.
A: Well, you have to start with the beach. Probably end with the beach, too, but in between there would be a few cocktails on some restaurant patios, and maybe even a trip to the zoo. Also, a burrito.
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December 05, 2020 at 09:00PM
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Through art, San Diego artist conveys feelings about 2020 - The San Diego Union-Tribune
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