Drew Leshko
Philadelphia-based artist Drew Leshko’s work tackles the issue of gentrification and its irreversible impact on architecture.
It is rare to find an artist with such a clear and distinct creative focus who has an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the works they create. Leshko is specifically interested in facades and signage which are on the precipice of cultural relevance. As cities are redeveloped and redesigned by companies and people who regard profit as their only guiding force character, charm and personality are the sacrifices we’re all making in terms of where we live.
In bringing his commentary on this phenomenon to Portland, Leshko has memorialized some of our ever changing cities most beloved institutions, some of which are staying the course and some which have sadly already bitten the dust.
As people who once lived roughly 100 feet from the doors of Club 21, and frequented the iconic dive bar more than is healthy by any reasonable measure, we are thrilled to see his sculptural obituary as part of this show. We are sure other patrons will feel similarly about many of the pieces on display.
