Exhibit Extended!
Now through September (Detroit Month of Design)
Special Hours – Saturday, August 30
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Regular Gallery hours: Wednesday – Friday, 12 noon – 5:30 PM
SpaceLab Detroit is proud to present two dynamic, concurrent art exhibits that offer a powerful journey through Black identity, memory, imagination, and self-worth. Our spaces on the 7th and 9th floors have been transformed by the visionary works of Detroit artists Darin Darby and Onzie Norman. The public is invited to view the exhibitions Wednesdays through Fridays from 12 noon to 5:30 pm or by appointment and experience this cultural moment firsthand.
The exhibit Afrofuturism is a collaborative series created by Darby and Norman under their artist collective name, UXI (Urban eXpressions Inc). Drawing from Afrofuturist themes, this exhibit invites us to imagine what comes next — futures shaped by Black thought, liberation, design, and technology. The work is bold, layered, and reflective. Through mixed media compositions, symbolism, and narrative forms, UXI transports us into an alternate dimension rooted in both ancestry and speculative vision.
In parallel, Darin Darby’s solo exhibit Resilience delivers an emotionally compelling collection that honors personal strength, healing, and affirmation. The pieces in Resilience challenge us to confront reclaim identity and celebrate the beauty of persistence. Through vibrant textures, layered materials, and Darby’s Laypuzzim® technique, his work offers space for reflection and empowerment. It is a celebration of survival and a tribute to the inner strength that carries individuals and communities forward.
The pieces in Resilience challenge us to confront reclaim identity and celebrate the beauty of persistence. Through vibrant textures, layered materials, and Darby’s Laypuzzim® technique, his work offers space for reflection and empowerment. It is a celebration of survival and a tribute to the inner strength that carries individuals and communities forward.
Special Hours – Saturday, August 30
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Regular Gallery hours: Wednesday – Friday, 12 noon – 5:30 PM
Together, Afrofuturism and Resilience create a dialogue — one that speaks across time and through the soul. These exhibits uplift not only the visual power of Black artistry but the narratives, ideas, and futures it dares to shape. As we commemorate Juneteenth and honor freedom, these works remind us that liberation is ongoing, and creativity is one of our most powerful tools.
All artwork in the exhibit is available for sale. Viewers are encouraged to return throughout the exhibit’s run and schedule private viewings. Whether you’re an art lover, collector, or cultural explorer, this exhibit offers something to stir your imagination and your spirit.
Special Hours – Saturday, August 30
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Regular Gallery hours: Wednesday – Friday, 12 noon – 5:30 PM
About the Artists:
Onzie D. Norman is a self-taught mixed media painter and wood sculptor from Detroit, Michigan. Onzie started in the field of carpentry in high school and later graduated from the Detroit Carpenters Apprenticeship School in 2003. This craft would play an important role in his artistic development. After a vision in 2013 Onzie begin to draw, which led to his experimenting with painting on wood. Onzie constructs his own canvas out of wood and uses paper, wood, spray paint, acrylic and resin to create one-of-a-kind artworks.
Onzie has worked diligently towards building his art career. His work has been exhibited at Art Prize, the Bombay Artesian Series, National Afro-American Museum in Wilberforce, Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, Agora Essence Festival, Charles H. Wright Museum, Actors Theater in Louisville, Gallery in New York, Xavier University and The Dayton Art Institute.
Onzie’s artwork is in many private collections. Recently his work has been acquired by Don Tuski President of the College for Creative Studies, Bedrock Detroit, actor Charles Michael Davis, NFL linebacker Deandre Levy, Helene Gayle president of Spelman College, and American journalist Stephen Henderson. In 2023 he was selected as the Gucci Changemaker, having his mural, “Botanical City” installed on the side of the Siren Hotel in Detroit.
Darin Darby: Hailing from the vibrant city of Detroit, Michigan, Darin Darby is a self-taught artist who has carved a unique path in the world of art. His creative journey began with sketching comic book characters using pencils, but as he entered his twenties, he fearlessly delved into a variety of mediums such as colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, and acrylic paint.
In a groundbreaking moment in 2014, Darin introduced his innovative art technique, Laypuzzim® (layered puzzled image), which involves meticulously cutting and layering textured materials like card stock paper, mat board, leather, or wood to create intricate artworks. Each piece is a masterpiece of hand-cut colors and negative space, showcasing Darin’s unparalleled talent.
Darin’s artwork has graced the walls of esteemed galleries across Metro Detroit, Ohio, Chicago, Kentucky, and Virginia, and his pieces have found a home in prestigious collections at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson, MI, the Dayton Art Institute, and the Detroit Historical Museum.
Drawing inspiration from his childhood memories, biblical themes, thought-provoking messages, and often overlooked historical black figures, Darin injects profound meaning into his creations, sparking engaging conversations and pushing boundaries with his art. His passion for storytelling through art is unwavering, driving him to constantly explore new materials and techniques.
As Darin looks ahead with excitement to the future, his dedication to evolving as an artist and continuously pushing the boundaries of his Laypuzzim® technique promises an exciting journey ahead in the realm of artistry.
