Grand Rapids Artists Showcase Innovative Works at ArtPrize

Grand Rapids is currently host to a diverse range of artistic expressions as part of the annual ArtPrize event. Among the featured creators are local artist Esan Sommersell, who has unveiled a powerful 3D-printed sculpture, and Jungseok Oh, an artist who uses a drone to create large-scale paintings. Both works highlight innovative techniques and deeply personal themes, drawing attention from visitors and the local community.

Sommersell's piece, titled "Emergence," is on display at a downtown business, while Oh is scheduled to perform a live painting demonstration, combining his unique method with live musical accompaniment.

Esan Sommersell's "Emergence": A Story in Sculpture

At Rev Luxury Juice Bar, a prominent new sculpture is capturing the attention of ArtPrize attendees. "Emergence," created by Grand Rapids native Esan Sommersell, is a complex piece built entirely with a 3D printer. The artwork carries a significant personal message for the artist.

Sommersell describes the sculpture as a representation of overcoming adversity. "It's about overcoming obstacles and breaking barriers for me," he explained. The piece features a Black woman, whose peaceful expression was inspired by his own mother, being held down by large, white cartoon-style gloves. According to the artist, she is poised to "emerge triumphant, without even breaking a sweat."

The Intricate Process of 3D Printing a Sculpture

The journey to create "Emergence" was a technological and artistic challenge. Sommersell used the funds from his Motu Viget Grant to purchase a 3D printer specifically for this project. He then designed the entire sculpture digitally before beginning the complex printing process.

"I bought a 3D printer with the grant winnings that I earned, and modeled this piece entirely and reverse-engineered a 'cake,' so to speak," Sommersell stated. He described how he had to digitally slice the large model into smaller sections that would fit on the printer's build plate. Each piece was printed individually and then carefully assembled.

"I cut it into pieces that would fit on the printer bed, and printed each piece... and formed them together and joined them to make the artwork that you see today."

This meticulous work required a significant time commitment. Sommersell noted that the project took approximately two months to complete, a period that involved many sleepless nights dedicated to printing and assembly.

A Meaningful Venue and Partnership

The choice of Rev Luxury Juice Bar as the venue for "Emergence" is not a coincidence. Sommersell has a pre-existing artistic relationship with the owner, Shedaira Jones. He previously created another piece that is on permanent display at the business: a mural honoring Jones's late grandmother, Mable Lean Jones.

Shedaira Jones shared the story behind the mural. Her grandmother, a beloved matriarch in her family and community, passed away just two days after the juice bar opened. "I was just kind of telling him about my vision for wanting to honor my late grandmother," Jones said. "[Esan] created this beautiful piece for her... it's kind of like a way to keep her presence in the room."

This connection led Jones to invite Sommersell to feature an ArtPrize piece at her establishment. When he presented the concept for "Emergence," she felt an immediate and personal connection to its theme, especially after navigating the challenges of her first year in business.

"It felt very like, 'Oh, this is for me. This is for us.' It felt very personal," Jones recalled. "I just thought about all the women, not just me, but women who are entrepreneurs, who are out here, getting it, hustling, figuring it out... and it just felt all that more special."

Jungseok Oh: Painting with a Drone

In another corner of the ArtPrize landscape, artist Jungseok Oh is pushing the boundaries of traditional painting by incorporating modern technology. Originally from Korea and now based in West Michigan, Oh creates art by attaching a paintbrush to a drone and guiding it across a canvas.

"I attach a brush to a drone and paint directly on canvas using only my hand and body movement," Oh explained. He acknowledges the inherent challenges of this method. "A drone is affected by wind and vibration, so controlling the brush is very hard, but that difficulty makes the process more meaningful." The process is demanding, with a single painting often taking weeks to finish.

A Multi-Sensory ArtPrize Performance

For ArtPrize, Oh is taking his unique art form a step further by collaborating with Grand Rapids area violinist Noori Han, who is also from Korea. Together, they will present a live painting demonstration where Oh's drone painting will be accompanied by Han's violin performance.

The goal is to create a richer, more immersive experience for the audience. "His art is so unique and inspiring, I wanted to add music to make the experience richer," Han said. "Music brings emotion and rhythm, it makes the painting performance more immersive and memorable."

The subject of the live painting will be a Michigan icon: Stevie Wonder. Oh chose the musician for his widespread appeal and positive message. "Stevie Wonder is from Michigan and loved across generations. His music connects people, and I want my art to do the same," he said.

Both artists are enthusiastic about sharing their work on the major platform that ArtPrize provides. "ArtPrize is one of the biggest art festivals where artists and public meet," Oh commented. "I wanted to share my drone art with people in Michigan and beyond." This performance offers a rare opportunity for the public to witness a convergence of visual art, technology, and live music.