AFGHANADELICK Installation and Performances by Joe Willie Smith

AFGHANADELICK Installation and Performances by Joe Willie Smith November 1–30, 2024 Reception: Friday, November 1, 6pm-9pm Grand Avenue Festival Hours: Saturday, November 9, 11am–7pm Special Masquerade Performance: Saturday, November 9, 6–9pm Five15Arts @ Chartreuse 1301 NW Grand Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Regular Gallery Hours: Fridays 6–9pm, Saturdays & Sundays 11am–2pm Or by appointment: five15arts@gmail.com Five15Arts proudly presents AFGHANADELICK, a unique installation and performances by special guest artist Joe Willie Smith. The Phoenix-based artist has collected hundreds of hand-crocheted afghan blankets, those family heirlooms crafted with much time, effort, and love. Smith will use these to transform the gallery into a sculptural riot of color and yarn, displayed alongside other artworks from his collection, evoking the spirit of the psychedelic 1960s and 70s, also the heyday of the afghan-making craze. During the exhibition, Smith will also perform live on his signature sculptural musical instruments, including a special “Immersive Afghanalistic Masquerade Performance and Gathering” at which gallery visitors will be invited to wear paper masks of their choice. The hanging installation of the crochet afghans pulled and looped into a cacophony of shape, will fill the middle of the gallery. This exhibition marks the first time the Five15Arts Collective has invited a special guest artist to take over their gallery space. Joe Willie Smith works in multiple mediums to realize his visions. His present works combine conceptual installations with performance. Smith says that the idea for AFGHANADELICK “has been incubating for some time. I started collecting afghans out of sheer love for the colors and patterns. Many grandmothers, mothers, and girlfriends made them as gifts for distant families. Sometimes names and dates were crocheted into the afghans.” Five15Arts @ Chartreuse collective 1301 NW Grand Ave, Phoenix five15arts.com FB: Five15 Arts Instagram: @five15arts