Eye-catching art in Crosstown area

Paul Thomas, a local artist who lives in the Crosstown area, has set up his own version of public art.

Using his front yard at the intersection of North Parkway and Montgomery Street as his canvas, he has completed an art installation called “I See You.”

Passers-by cannot help but notice the exhibit. The display is constructed of “found objects,” including discarded stadium light globes, empty water bottles, wine barrel metal hoops and broken concrete planters that serve as the base for the yard art. The overall effect yields five pairs of “eyes.” Thomas says each “eye” represents the different types of people living in the neighborhood.

“This display is part of the second Terrain Biennial exhibit being hosted by Arts Memphis and organized by the Clough-Hanson Gallery at Rhodes College,” said Thomas. “The installations will be on display through Sept. 30. The idea is to have yard art on exhibit throughout the city as an effort to bring art to the public, literally where they live. The majority of these works are being assembled in the Midtown and Crosstown areas, in the front yards of the artists or their friends and neighbors.”

Thomas, who bears the title “The Recycling King” as a tribute to his recycled fashions that were highlighted in last year’s Memphis City Beautiful Trashion Show, said he selected the theme for his urban art to pay homage to the Neighborhood Watch Association. The tonguein-cheek representation is intended to remind folks that everyone should be on the lookout for not only for themselves, but also for