Steve Hartman has his work up on the walls for the world to see–one weary traveler at a time. The St. Louis Lambert International Airport’s Art & Culture program is now presenting new exhibits including Hartman’s Graphic Abstracts series.
An Arts Advisory committee made up of local arts professionals reviewed Steve’s submission for the program, and selected six of the colorful and energetic pieces to put on display in Terminal One. The Airport Art Advisory Committee, appointed by the St. Louis City Mayor, oversees the Lambert Art of Travel program, which is funded through donations and grants from the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis.
The series was inspired by another local exhibit, Graphic Revolution: American Prints 1960 to Now at the St. Louis Arts Museum (curated by Elizabeth Wykoff and Gretchen Wagner). “I was completely inspired by the exhibit. As a graphic designer by trade, the thought of using random templates to create abstract shapes of color felt exciting to try, and this series is what resulted.”
Abstract shapes are created using found (discarded) materials from advertising signage as templates, spray paint to form the colorful shapes, and some watercolor mixed in to energize negative spaces. The end result are very vibrant works of art that can boost the energy level of a space. With fun titles such as, “Salt Water Taffy,” “Dirty Martini” or “Cosmic Rainbow,” the works of art leave the viewer wondering if the object is found in the painting.
Steve Hartman’s “Graphic Abstracts” are on display at Terminal 1 of St. Louis Lambert International Airport through September 2022. The Airport estimates 16 Million travelers and visitors may see the exhibits on display.
Pierced Starship can be seen on your way to A Gates in Terminal 1 in St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Steve Hartman’s Graphic Abstracts collages random shapes to create positive and negative abstract forms with washes of color—bringing creativity and energy to each design. The Graphic Abstract series was inspired by the graphic reproductions of the '50s and '60s. Experimental in nature, this series of graphic explorations use random found templates and spray paint to create playful interactions with shape. Steve Hartman follows up his process by adding smaller random applications of abstract watercolor. Color is the focal point of this stencil abstract series.
Cosmic Rainbow brightens up the passage way between Starbucks and Terminal 1 Baggage Claim.
Alpha Bean in Gold and Lavender
Salt Water Taffy near a Terminal 1 Café
Dirty Martini