The Nothing—a solo show featuring the work of Trenton-based artist William Kasso Condry, set to open July 11 at Gallery 219 in downtown Trenton—promises to be, well, something.
Partially inspired by the film A Never-Ending Story, the exhibition takes the idea of using imagination and creativity to combat despair and degradation, writes the artist who frequently uses the nickname Kasso (a shortening of Picasso): “The Nothing was an ominous presence that fed off of human despair, and the only force that could destroy it was imagination.”
This exhibition features new and unseen works by Kasso “as he attempts to fight against the ominous force of poverty and urban plight that consumes the community in which he creates. The work will be unlike any seen from this artist before and will feature subject matter that is based in fantasy and folklore,” notes press information.
Kasso is a well known and vital presence in Trenton. He is a prominent street writer creating murals throughout the city and an active member of the S.A.G.E. Coalition (Stylez Advancing Graffiti’s Evolution). S.A.G.E. coordinates exhibitions at Gallery 219 and is a sponsor for The Nothing.
The Trenton-born Kasso says that while he came from a poor section of Trenton his family—a truck driving father and stay at home mother—gave him simple gifts that continue to give.
“My family is very artistic,” he says. “My brother is a graphic designer. My sister works as a manager for a nonprofit and is a poet. My parents are not visual artists, but they’re great story tellers. We were really poor so we had to improvise. All my subject matter is story-based. It has a beginning, middle and end. That comes from my family. I remember the stories like movies. My mother was supportive and bought us sketch pads.”
The sketch pads led the young artist to an interest in creating drawings influenced by graffiti and comic books. The free Saturday art classes offered by Artworks in Trenton fed his hunger to learn more and was part of the path that took him to the College of New Jersey to study fine arts and art history.
An interest in mural painting connected him to the internationally recognized Philadelphia Mural Program, where he was employed for five years as a member of their educational program and an assistant muralist. Of his time in Philadelphia, Kasso says, “I learned how massive projects are organized. Since I never got the opportunity to do my own projects, I left and took what I learned for my own projects. I’ve always been my own person. I am not going to wait for someone to make an opportunity. I make my own.”
The Nothing is set to open July 11 at Gallery 219, located at 219 E. Hanover St. in Trenton. The show is free, with a reception July 11 from 6-10 p.m., featuring music by DJ ITSJUSTAHMAD and a special performance from Black Collar Biz and Hustle Emcee. The show runs through August. For gallery hours and times, go online to sagecoalitionnj.com or email sagecoalitionnj@gmail.com.
–Dan Aubrey
One of the new works by Will Kasso featured in The Nothing.,
