Gourmet Groceries & Foodie Art

May 28, 2009 6:35 pm

One popular Soho grocery is celebrating two integral elements of New York's identity this spring—food and art. I stopped by Gourmet Garage —this funky wholesale grocery store that lets anyone shop like a chef — to meet artist Mitchell Schorr yesterday. Schorr's latest series, From the Crate, is currently on display in the grocery's windows. Schorr, a native New Yorker, is probably best known for his colorful murals (often placed in public spaces) and for a style and content consistently inspired by city life. Schorr's newest paintings embrace food as art using unexpected, recycled canvases—deconstructed, wooden produce crates—to showcase vibrantly painted items found inside the store (peppers, olives, oranges, fish, cheese and more).

The series took about two months to make, and involved a preliminary process of sketching, photographing and water coloring. Each completed painting reveals Schorr's love of color, energy and movement, and juxtaposes the idea of waste and want. Most are on sections of flattened wooden crates, but one piece—the most time-consuming and Schorr's favorite—looks like the crate itself exploded, revealing richly colored edibles within. And Schorr definitely recognizes the parallels between food and art. "The wow is essential in art and food," he says. "In theory, anyone can cook and anyone can paint, but it's all about the final presentation and how well it works. Everyone can learn the basics, but if you don't have it in you, and if it's not part of who you are, you're never going to get to the next level. And I think people also see that—or taste that—the creative spirit."

He further muses..."My best example is [Chef] David Burke. Every time I've been in his kitchen, I watch him come up with the craziest things—but not only do [the end-products] look great, but the taste is an interesting experience. It's true art. I really think there's this energy and zone that all artists—of any genre—if they're really true to what they're doing, will hit..."

Schorr, who has also done a lot of work for restaurants (including a David Burke hotspot), says this isn't the last food-inspired work for him. Eventually, he'd like to do a series of several chefs in their kitchens.

Besides the fun of having a show in an unexpected spot, the Soho area made a lot of sense to him as a NY artist. " This area is where the art scene in NY started, theoretically. In the historic context of what art was in NY, it's exciting to be part of..."

Gourmet Garage has been showcasing artists' food-related work for years (including a Warhol show at one point!). Woodward Gallery, which has worked with the store for about 10 years, commissioned Schorr for From the Crate. And thank goodness! Because quality art—just like food—is something everyone can appreciate. Thanks to Mitchell Schorr and Gourmet Garage, this spring they're both on display.

Gourmet Garage
453 Broome Street (at Mercer)
New York, NY
212.941.5850
ww.gourmetgarage.com

Woodward Gallery
133 Eldridge Street
New York, NY
212.966.3411
www.woodwardgallery.net