Sculptor’s Disused Detroit Factory Background for Big

The new owner of Detroit’s “hulking old” gallery 333 Midland, transplanted New Zealander Rob Onnes, bought the space last year for his studio and this month, “Big Paintings @ the Factory” opens exhibiting, you guessed it, “really, really big” canvases.

“I was looking for a big space,” Onnes says, “something like 2000 square feet.” He grins. “But then it grew. This is 20,000 square feet.”

“Big” was organised by sculptors Onnes, and Detroiter Bob Sestok, who also paints.

In many ways, Sestok says, this “Midland Invitational,” as it’s also dubbed (the factory is on Midland Street), will act as the building’s public debut before Onnes starts renting out parts to artists who need jumbo-sized space.

And prepare to be delighted. All swept and clean, the old Lewis Manufacturing & Stamping plant is a treat to wander, with million-paned glass walls, soaring ceilings and satisfyingly rough cement-block walls.

Onnes is originally from the Waikato. He works mainly in steel and copper.

Original article by Michael Hodges, Detroit News, June 18, 2014.