Renowned ceramicist and artist Roberto Lugo returns to R & Company with a groundbreaking new exhibition titled “Drip,” running from January 24 through April 11, 2025, at the gallery’s White Street location. Known for his unique blend of classical ceramic traditions with hip-hop influences and personal experiences, Lugo’s latest exhibition takes inspiration from the iconic Nike Air Force 1 shoe, exploring themes of cultural value, power, and representation.

Following his critically acclaimed 2023 exhibition, “The Gilded Ghetto,” which reimagined the famed Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery of Art, “Drip” continues Lugo’s examination of how objects acquire value within different cultural contexts. The exhibition features hand-painted Air Force 1 sneakers alongside Lugo’s signature ceramic teapots, blurring the lines between popular culture and fine art while challenging traditional art hierarchies.

Nike Air Force 1: A Cultural Touchstone

The Nike Air Force 1, a cultural icon that rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, holds personal significance for Lugo, as it was a staple of his childhood and a symbol of status in many communities. As Lugo developed his artistic practice and explored themes of collecting, he recognized the sneaker’s symbolic power and its potential to engage audiences through storytelling.

In “Drip,” Lugo transforms the sneakers by applying his distinctive painting techniques, incorporating bold, colorful patterns inspired by his Afro-Latino heritage and streetwear aesthetics. The sneakers feature hand-painted portraits of influential figures, reinforcing Lugo’s dedication to honoring underrepresented voices in art history.

Ceramic Teapots as a Symbol of Privilege

Alongside the sneakers, Lugo presents a series of ceramic teapots adorned with the same striking designs. The teapot, a recurring motif in Lugo’s practice, represents historical notions of wealth and exclusivity. By placing these objects alongside sneakers—often viewed as accessible, everyday items—Lugo encourages viewers to reconsider the perceived value of objects within different cultural and socioeconomic frameworks.

Select teapots are housed in handcrafted wooden boxes made by Lugo’s father, Gilberto Lugo, and painted to resemble sneaker boxes. This intimate detail adds a personal and familial dimension to the exhibition, further reinforcing themes of heritage and storytelling.

Exhibition Design and Symbolism

The exhibition’s title, “Drip,” captures both the fashion-forward slang associated with style and the physical movement of paint and glaze—key elements in Lugo’s artistic process. To enhance the theme, the sneakers and teapots are displayed in customized cases designed by USM Modular Furniture, reminiscent of the display structures used in high-end sneaker stores and private collections.

The gallery space will also feature wall decals incorporating motifs from Lugo’s past works, such as pigeons, traffic cones, butterflies, and flowers native to Puerto Rico, all of which reference his cultural roots and urban experiences. These elements create an immersive environment that bridges the personal with the universal.

Artist’s Statement and Vision

Lugo’s work consistently challenges societal norms and dominant narratives within the art world. Speaking about the exhibition, Lugo states:

“Reclaiming power is, in part, about finding common ground. With ‘Drip,’ I’m capturing the ways in which sneakers hold equally important value as other historically elevated objects. My work, and this show, invites viewers to consider the narratives, vehicles of representation, and people left out of canonical records and the ways that art can challenge the status quo and help generate cultural change.”

Roberto Lugo: Biography and Impact

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Roberto Lugo has built an illustrious career redefining ceramics as a platform for cultural storytelling and social commentary. Lugo uses the ancient medium of clay to highlight intergenerational experiences of racial and social injustice while celebrating African American and Latino culture.

Lugo earned his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from Penn State. His work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has received several accolades, including the 2019 Pew Fellowship, the Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon Polsky Rome Prize, and the US Artist Award. His works are part of the permanent collections of numerous major museums, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Lugo currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia.

R & Company: A Champion of Collectible Design

For over two decades, R & Company has played a crucial role in advancing the collectible design market, fostering a global community of collectors and scholars. The gallery, founded by Zesty Meyers and Evan Snyderman, represents a diverse roster of designers, including emerging talents and established names in the field of contemporary and historic design.

R & Company’s White Street location, where “Drip” will be hosted, is known for presenting dynamic solo and group exhibitions, contributing to ongoing conversations about art, design, and cultural value.

Impression

With “Drip,” Roberto Lugo continues his mission to challenge traditional perceptions of value, privilege, and representation within art and design. By juxtaposing culturally significant sneakers with historically prestigious ceramic forms, Lugo invites audiences to engage with art that reflects their lived experiences and communities.

The exhibition not only solidifies Lugo’s position as a boundary-pushing artist but also serves as a powerful commentary on how objects shape identity, social status, and cultural narratives. Whether through the lens of fine art, street culture, or personal history, Lugo’s work resonates on multiple levels, making “Drip” a must-see exhibition for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Exhibition Details:

•Title: Drip

•Artist: Roberto Lugo

•Dates: January 24 – April 11, 2025

•Location: R & Company, 64 White Street, New York

For more information, visit R & Company’s website.

 

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