The artist - Crush Rush
Earlier this summer, Jasper transitioned its Tiny Gallery series online to make viewing art accessible to all those seeking light in recent times. Recently, we marked the halfway point of our fantastic show with local photographer, Crush Rush.
Rush, 33, is featuring his collection, Eye Spy, an assemblage of photos that depict the city we all hold dear, both in ways we recognize and those we don’t.
For Rush, while art was not part of his family growing up, he came to it in unexpected ways early in life. “I got into photography rather young as I found a love for disposable cameras,” he recalls, “On Nintendo 64 I fell in love with the game Pokémon Snap.”
However, it was after his great grandmother’s experience with dementia that Rush’s taking and making photos transformed into a passion. Since then, he has continually honed his skills. “Traditional learning styles have never kept me captivated enough,” he shares on his journey as a self-taught artist, “And I’m fortunate for the success and access I have in that regard.”
Rush started professionally pursuing photography in 2008, following the economy crash. “I was unable to find employment after losing my job at Verizon Wireless, and a buddy of mine asked me to start doing the photography of the club that he was managing,” he continues, “One thing led to another, and here I am some 12 years later – a whole established full-time photographer.”
While photography has always been part of his life, it actually is not his first love on the art spectrum. “Music has and always will have a place in my heart,” Rush reveals, “I used to produce EDM before it gained the popularity that it has nowadays, and I also have played a few instruments in my time that range from brass instruments to percussion.”
Within photography itself, digital work is his forte. “I love photography because it is an instantaneous art medium,” he ruminates, “I can move in and out of moments in time and capture them in fractions of seconds. It almost makes me feel like I have superhero powers at times.”
Candy-Colored Murray Sunset by Crush Rush
Rush practices with both photojournalism and taking and editing photos for artistic purposes. “With my artwork I hope that I can open people's eyes to the beauty of nature, our city and our planet,” he professes, “With my photojournalism, I strive to show people just how different but insanely alike we all are in our pursuits of happiness.”
In this show specifically, which he has titled Eye Spy, Rush used his artistic talents to focus on a familiar scene. “The artworks that I have chosen to feature in this show are pieces that are native to our area,” he shares, “I really wanted to display the city in a beautiful way as we haven't been able to truly appreciate and go out in it due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Our city is a perfect example of what often inspires the photographer. “I generally think about places and themes that everyday people know and love. I then try to capture those places and themes at their absolute best moments,” Rush states, “Sometimes I'll add a creative spin to make something that is everyday normal extraordinary. I also like to focus on small things that people see every day but may not pay much attention to.”
Of course, the spaces around us are constantly fluctuating, especially as of late. “As a black photojournalist that has been covered everything from New Black Panther Party rallies to Neo Nazi/Klan Rallies since the Charleston Massacre in 2015, this year's BLM movement is just another day at the office,” Rush reflects, “I have covered about 90% of our local BLM movement happening here in the city so that it has made its way into my work would be an understatement.”
Observing humanity and freedom has led Rush to not just document the unprecedented times we currently find ourselves in but to reflect on his own practice. “COVID-19…has caused me to shift my technique to accommodate social distance practices and to find creative ways to show off raw emotion displayed by people who have half of their faces covered,” he notes, “I have unfortunately also covered anti mask / end quarantine rallies so the mask in itself or lack there off has become a political movement that I have documented.”
Bridging the Gap - Crush Rush
Rush’s passion for the people and places around him has not gone unnoticed. He received the Creatable Award from Able SC in 2019 for his work with the organization, documenting various causes and events over the years, and recently, he was awarded Best Photographer by Free Times Best Of 2020.
Even with the uncertainty of our current times, Rush is prepping for the future. “I have been having to completely recalibrate my system to make sure that I am able to remain a full-time photographer,” he shares, “You can probably expect to see me delving deeper into the noncommercial portrait photography side of things.”
To stay in touch with Crush Rush’s work, follow him on Instagram @CrushRushSC, check out his photoblog crushinthecity.com, and, of course, on follow him on Facebook.
Crush Rush’s show will be up until Sunday, September 6th at the Jasper Website.
The purpose of the Tiny Gallery Series is to allow artists an opportunity to show a selection of their smaller pieces of art offered at affordable price points attractive to beginning collectors and arts patrons with smaller budgets. If you are interested in showing at Tiny Gallery, please email Christina Xan at jasperprojectcolumbia@gmail.com