You could only witness Harlem-based mixed-medium artist Melvin Grave Guzman’s solo exhibit, Slim Pickings, for one night. Yeah, we know, you’re kicking yourself for missing it. 

The event featured Hors d'oeuvre baked by Kiki Kudo, as well as an experimental performance by Brain Close, Kiki, and Guzman himself — essentially, it was a dream for the LES creative. The night was hectic and loud, an energy that perfectly matched Guzman’s vibrant, avant-garde work. 

Guzman’s influences aren’t hard to recognize, he says himself the masks were closely inspired by Rammellzee’s masks. The modern, industrial aspects of his structures can only be described as Marcel Breuer’s Bauhaus architecture meets hood-DIY. There’s a distinct authenticity that separates Guzman’s work from his peers. His masks, and the collages that serve as backdrops for them throughout the exhibit, are comprised of everyday found items— everything from discarded Loewe tags to an inflatable life jacket to Quartersnacks stickers to beer bottle caps. It’s clear that his work is informed by what he’s learned from his upbringing in NYC.

He uses artifacts that represent not only the environment he grew up in, but also objects that pay homage to the trends and subcultures he immerses himself in today. His collages may reflect a consumer-obsessed culture, but it’s far from the tired commentary that has been prevalent in the art community recently. 

“Growing up in Harlem really influenced my creativity and imagination, I didn’t have anything so I had to use my imagination to create it” Guzman says while giving a tour of the exhibit. 

Slim Pickings feels more like self-portraiture than a collection of archived trash. One piece boasts images of the West Broadway Theater, representing the street Guzman grew up on, another was comprised of items he collected while traveling abroad.

There’s a cool playfulness that everything he touches emits. Guzman isn’t afraid to try his hand at any medium that interests him, pulling inspiration from everything from french cuisine to dancehall to the utilitarian outfits he’s notorious for pulling off— allowing him to create experimental sounds and visuals unmatched by others. His exhibit at 22 Ludlow perfectly memorialized the juxtaposition that embodies both Guzman’s artistic and personal style.

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