Too Many Words

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, what if you have a picture AND words. That's exactly what Thomas Zipp does: he combines a simple graphic and lots of words to give us a new hybrid that's lovely and readable.

You'll enjoy seeing more of these kinds of works on his page at Kaufmann Repetto.


Image from Kaufmann Repetto.

Say It With Paint

EJ Hauser is yet another artist who paints words or phrases.

This image is from his Website, where you can see more of his work.

Mirrored Words

Robert Barry abandoned painting in the late 60's and dedicated himself to expressing himself in other ways; most often with words. A fascinating concept, really; this whole thing with "a picture is worth a thousand words" versus reading actual words which work quite well in conjuring images. Either way, I quite like his diptychs where he frosts the glass - leaving the words clear and on the other half the words are frosted. So, for all their prettiness and simple charm, Barry's works are loaded with intellectualism and thought provoking ideas.

His page at Gallerie Greeta Meert has a concise blurb that lets you know where he's coming from and good links (with pics) to his many exhibitions there, along with selected works from each show. The Brooklyn Rail has a nice piece that sheds more light. You also might want to see his "Silver" Exhibition.

In his Show titled "Words And Music", with giant silver words splayed across walls and ceilings; the whole concept of graffiti comes to mind and yet you can't bring yourself to call it that because it's so formal and restrained. Avery strange effect, indeed.

Ah Oeuvre

If you're a fan of Dan Miller, you're in for a real treat. I was visiting Lorraine Glessner's Blog, this morning and her Post had 3 examples of Dan's drawings and a link to what I would describe as a momograph of his work. For anyone interested in Dan Miller, you know how frustrating it is to find examples of his work. Well, this should hold you for a while. Enjoy.

Image is from stoppingoffplace.

Redacted Paintings

Jenny Holzer's show of new work immediately brings to mind the work of Kazimir Malevich, which is oh so refreshing in this day and age. These seem quite a shocking turn in a whole different direction from her usual language based oeuvre, but closer inspection reveals bold and thought provoking content..

The image is from Contemporary Art Daily. You'll find more images and text explaining the show at Art Observed and of course, many more images at Spruth Magers Gallery.

Hybrid Painting

Paintings by Wendy White are at first confusing; like you've stumbled into a nether world where urban art, studio practice and signage have all collided. But it doesn't take long to feel comfortable with these surprisingly sane and sensible works where language is front and center.

Her Website is straight-forward and easy to navigate.

Image is from a pieces about her in The L Magazine.

E for effort

Justin Quinn's compositions, using only the capital letter E, are amusing and relaxing. Researching was frustrating because his "madness" is never fully explained - there are teaser words and phrases, but nothing to help you fully understand what and why. His work is particularly fascinating for me because it crosses into that shady area where the mind tries to read the picture because it recognizes letters.

View his work at Cain Schulte Gallery  and  Conduit Gallery.

Image from Art & Bob.

The Language Of Painting

Language-based painting can mean different things and there are many trains of thought about how one could incorporate words/language into a painting. I've always found it fascinating that lines can bring to mind an image (of a person or thing) and just as easily cause us to try to read (when we perceive words). Either way it's wonderful to see how differently artists build their compositions.

Anne-Marie Cosgrove chooses to use language itself as the basis for her abstractions. The effect is tantalizing as we try to read the work. She speaks about her style in this video and you'll find more paintings at her Website.

Image is from Center On Contemporary Art Blog.

Autism Speaks

Reporting on the Art Fairs in NYC this week is finally winding down and I came across this gem by Dan Miller. To be sure, there was a lot of great art to be seen, and an even greater amount of ridiculous junk with high price tags. But knowing that this particular piece was made by someone with Autism makes you rethink a whole lot of  things. He's "represented" by Creative Growth, where you'll find some answers to your questions.

Much more of his work HERE.


Image from Art Critical.

Speaking In Color

Deborah Kass likes to be seen and heard; through her art work. She's not shouting, but she does get your attention and many of the paintings are constructed with words or phrases.

This image is from her Website, where you'll find a good sampling of her work. But please go HERE and watch the video, studio visit. It's entertaining and you'll come to understand the art-historical influences that precipitate her different series.

Painted Text

Larry Mullins presents the idea of paintings having meaning, in a different way. His compositions are visually pleasing and the words act much as lyrics do in a song.  Unlike sheet music though, they act more like a puzzles to be solved. This link to his Website goes to the older examples first, so you can appreciate the more poetic style of the later works.

Some Press Here with links to a Review.

Bright Writing

The work of Brigitte Kowanz is Beyond Words (the title of this work). Her oeuvre is about light and then when she combines that with language (and even Morse Code) you have something very special. I can't possibly describe for you the magic that she created with light sculptures and mirrors in her MOMOK Show. You'll find beautiful images at Contemporary Art Daily and visit her Website (click Works and then Installations).

And here's a little bit of TEXT to help you understand what she's doing

Image is from Contemporary Art Daily.

Choppy Words

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Christopher Michlig has something to say about language. And to help you understand, he chops up words (in various ways) and reconfigures them to beautifully make his point.

You'll find more images at Steve Turner Contemporary and the press release will answer more of your questions.

His Website.

Image from marinecontemporary.
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Selected Reading

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Will Ashford transforms used books into thoughtful works of art by adding new visuals and repurposing the original text. You'll enjoy reading his Artist Statement as he explains the what, why and how.
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This image is from NOTCOT, where you'll find other interesting examples of his work.
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If anyone knows how to contact the artist to let him know his (mac) Website is not working, please do.
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Language Collage

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Rhonda Wheatley is interested in written language; including the negative spaces within and between the words. Collaging, layering and painting produce these interesting hybrids. You'll want to visit her Website to see all the different styles and variations within her oeuvre.
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Image is from her Website.
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Prints of Words

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Todd Norsten doesn't mince words with his paintings. That's a definite pun and you'll find the back story here.
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What looks like a statement made with blue, painter's tape is actually a screen print of a painting.
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Please watch this extremely entertaining and educational VIDEO of the print making process.
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Image from William Shearburn Gallery.
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Journalistic Paintings

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Daniella Woolf has Away With Words. That, actually is the section of her Website where you'll find other encaustic beauties like this one that incorporate fragments from her journals. You'll also want to visit her Blog.
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This image (part of the Morning Pages Series) is from the Wexler Gallery where you'll find even more examples of her work not shown at her site.
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Preponderance Of Words

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You'll be forgiven for thinking that Mark Fox is obsessive; let's face it, his mark-making is way over the top. Some of these "collages" are just beautiful abstractions (combined with bits of realism), but it's the "sculptures" constructed with words that garner the most attention.
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His Website has a fantastic shot of his studio and other images, but for text explaining the purpose behind his work, go HERE and Here.
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More visuals from Shaheen Gallery round out the picture.
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The top image is from Cain Schulte Gallery where you'll find more fascinating artists.
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Cryptic Script

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Margot Voorhies Thompson has created an unreadable (to you) script and you'll appreciate and enjoy the back-story. This 7 minute Video is both informative and enjoyable.
She's represented by Laura Russo Gallery and you'll want to visit her Website.
The image is from the Art-Portland Blog that also has a short explanation of her work.
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Dan Miller Drawings

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Dan Miller has an Exhibition of Large Drawings at Ricco Maresca Gallery and it was a pleasant surprise to read the review in Artnet. Visit the Gallery's Website to see 17 images, including installation shots.
See 6 other examples of his work at Creative Growth.
It's hard to find images of, or text about Dan, so if you're unfamiliar with his work please read this short review in TimeOut to fill in some of the blanks.

But best of all, you can watch a Video of Dan doing what he does best.

Image is from Artnet.
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