While attending the University of Michigan in 1974, Niagara, along with Mike Kelley formed the seminal art/noise band Destroy All Monsters. In 1976 D.A.M. veered toward the new Punk scene earning international recognition due in part to the presence of former members of The Stooges and the MC5. Niagara soon after fronted the super group Dark Carnival created by Colonel Galaxy made up of former Stooges guitarist
Ron Asheton and brother Scott Asheton on drums.
Niagara utilized her art school experience in creating album and promotional art for Destroy All Monsters / Dark Carnival performances. Combining an illustrator’s hand with some collage and pop iconography, Niagara’s style began to take shape in earnest during these years, and by the early 90’s she was beginning to show in small exhibits and cafes around the Detroit area.
It was during this time that Niagara teamed up with the Detroit gallery CPop in 1996. Her first exhibits “All Men Are Cremated Equal” (1996) and “Faster Niagara, Kill...Kill” (1997) were breakout shows which garnered her regional praise . Soon art periodicals were heralding her as “The Queen Of Detroit” and many successful exhibits would follow in other cities like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Tokyo to name but a few. “The Niagara Girl,” who appears in many female guises, would come to represent feminist swagger with drop dead gorgeous looks and an equally dangerous demeanor. Hard-boiled, tough talking gals who would rather dispatch a man than put up with any of his antics.
This Autumn, in collaboration with the artist herself, KR3W presents a collection of limited edition t-shirts and sweaters featuring Niagra’s iconic pop-art.
No comments:
Post a Comment