In-your-face drawings

“Arts of the City” Michelle Gregio

Through Nov. 4

Centre Art Gallery

4638 Centre Ave…. “Arts of the City” Michelle Gregio

Through Nov. 4

Centre Art Gallery

4638 Centre Ave.

(412) 683-7100

A large deep purple tapestry hangs on the wall of the Centre Art Gallery. Michelle Gregio has written upon this fabric in a refined graffiti style scrawl a message to all: “Art has an enemy named ignorance.”

All of Gregio’s show, “Arts of the City,” maintains the same urban edge. The pieces reflect everything about Gregio’s life growing up in inner city Columbus, Ohio; New York City; and Pittsburgh. “All this,” she said, motioning to her numerous pieces around the room of the exhibit, “all this comes from years.”

Although the show has a consistent urban theme, not all of the pieces are universally edgy. Gregio ventures outside the realm of what most people associate with stereotypical city life. One piece features a mother gorilla cradling her baby in a soft, pleasant image. The strokes are not sharp and angled like many of the other pieces, but curved and friendly.

The diversity of the pieces comes from presence of art in every facet of Gregio’s life. It’s not a question of when is she creating art, but when is she not. “[I do this] all the time. When I’m upset, excited, happy … it’s a vent for everything. It’s kind of like dancing; I’m always in the mood for it.”

One can tell just by her art that Gregio is always up for dancing. Many of the pieces feature DJs, turntables, break-dancers and an apparent self-portrait of a girl who looks ready for anything. These more classically city-styled pieces have sharper lines you might find in an advertising campaign for some hot new clothing label marketing to public school teenagers.

“That’s the thing about my art,” Gregio said, “it’s hard, it’s in your face, but at the same time it’s also jazzy and smooth.” That’s definitely the appeal.

One piece, located toward the back of the exhibit, depicts the pretty feet of a dancer. They curve and compliment the solid background, a catchy line following the lines of the limbs: “like a flower in bloom is so the feet that moves around the sweetest beat.”

Gregio’s work, words and images are available for viewing and purchase. The exhibit covers many emotions and ideas, but Gregio’s sharp style unites all of her pieces.