ST. LOUIS, MO.- Laumeier Sculpture Park presents Mark Newport: Self Made Man, an exhibition that explores the role of modern man and modern-day heroes. Opening February 5 and continuing through May 9, 2010, Newport’s human-scale, hand-knit superhero costumes, photographs, video and embroidered comic book covers will be shown in the Park’s indoor galleries. The artist will perform “in character” at the February 5 opening reception and will also present a gallery talk on Saturday, April 3 as well as participate in the Knit-In @ the Park special event the same afternoon.

Mark Newport is a man who knits like no other. The Michigan-based artist creates human-scale, acrylicknit superhero costumes that question the role of heroes in contemporary culture. Some of these costumes reflect the comic book legends that many of us grew up with. Newport also expands on the genre with creations of his own. Batman and Captain America are presented on equal terms with Newport’s Sweaterman and Y-Man. The costumes present a great tension as they probe the unquestioned iconic status of the mythological superheroes and the obvious shortcomings of the knit suit to protect anyone who might chose to don it. Protection of self, family and society are all issues on the table.

“The knit costumes as well as the prints, photographs, altered comic book covers and video that will be included in the exhibition ask complex questions about masculinity, family and the myths and realities — the strengths and shortcomings of what it is to be human,” said Kim Humphries, Laumeier’s Director of Exhibitions and Collections. “Fueled in part by pop artists such as Claes Oldenburg and continuing a gender dialogue with feminist roots, Newport’s work forges ahead with an engaging 21st century discourse.”

Mark Newport is the Artist-in-Residence and Head of Fiber at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He earned his BFA at the Kansas City Art Institute in 1986 and his MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1991.

He and his family currently live in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Newport’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, including solo exhibitions at The Arizona State University Art Museum; The Cranbrook Art Museum; The Chicago Cultural Center; and Here Gallery, Bristol, United Kingdom. His work has been recognized with grants from the Creative Capital Foundation, the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Herberger College of Arts at Arizona State University. Newport’s work is included in the collections of The Whitney Museum of American Art; The Cranbrook Art Museum; The Racine Art Museum; 4Culture, Seattle; City of Phoenix Public Art; Microsoft; and Progressive Insurance. Newport is represented by the Greg Kucera Gallery, Seattle and Lemberg Gallery, Ferndale, Michigan.

The exhibition will open to the public at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2010. Throughout the free opening reception the artist will engage in a performance — knitting in a hand-made suit. The reception will end at 8:00 p.m. with the exhibition continuing through May 9.