Marcus Glenn captures the Grammys with vibrant color
Park West Gallery artist and native Detroiter Marcus Glenn captures the essence of music’s biggest night with his colorful artwork “One Nite Outta This World.” The acrylic on wood mixed media piece depicts the iconic Grammy Awards’ gramophone and is the official artwork for The Recording Academy’s 56th annual event to be held Jan. 26 in Los Angeles. The image will grace the cover of the Grammy Awards’ program book, telecast tickets and promotional poster.
“The inspiration I find for my art is life,” says Marcus, 46, whose works often feature human interaction with instruments as a centerpiece. “Our palettes depict the backgrounds of who we are personally,” he says. In addition to vibrant and rich color, a refined collage technique and the foundation of love he says he puts into his work, his palette is infused with music.
Growing up in Detroit in a house filled with music from his father’s love of jazz and art from his mother’s love a painting, Marcus says the mixture of the two “just stuck.” Even when he was young he found himself drawn to sketching and painting instruments and musicians.
Marcus Glenn joins a growing list of talented artists who have created the annual official Grammy artwork, including Shepard Fairey, Charles Fazzino, Frank Gehry and fellow Park West Gallery artist and pop-art icon Peter Max.
“Since music is at the heart of much of Marcus’ work, the fact that his was selected as the official artwork for the Grammys is an impeccable fit,” said Park West Gallery CEO and founder Albert Scaglione. Albert and his wife, Mitsie, will accompany Marcus and Yolanda Glenn to the awards show next month. “It’s an exciting opportunity for Marcus and is yet another example of the depth of talent that’s right here in Detroit.”
Marcus prefers to create on wood instead of canvas. He incorporates fabrics often given to him from family members, papers he collects from around the world and vibrant colors and rich paints to create a style uniquely his own. He attended the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, and his work is featured internationally.
Marcus has commissioned works of art hanging in exclusive private and public collections throughout the world. He’s is one of the most widely collected contemporary artists, and his collectors eagerly await each new creation. Marcus has sold artwork in 67 different countries to many thousands of collectors. His work can be found in important collections throughout the world.