Boyce Cummings
dal 29/11/2006 al 5/1/2007
Segnalato da
Winkleman / Plus Ultra Gallery
29/11/2006
Boyce Cummings
Plus Ultra Gallery, New York
Versus. In 7 new paintings and a large mixed-media wall installation, the artist explores the workings of conflict in both visual art and human endeavors. Representational and abstract elements within his paintings demand to be connected on an experiential human level, but they consistently defy any sensible narrative.
Versus
Winkleman / Plus Ultra Gallery is very pleased to present "Versus," the first New York solo exhibition by Boyce Cummings.
In seven new paintings and a large mixed-media wall installation, Cummings explores
the workings of conflict in both visual art and human endeavors. Whether "high vs.
low," "abstraction vs. realism," or "formalism vs. narrative," themes and constructs
of visual art parallel personal conflicts in our day-to-day lives---such as "man vs.
nature," nature vs. machine," "winning vs. losing," etc. Cummings blends these
parallel arenas, resolving elements that we expect not to work together through an
exquisite sense of composition. Representational and abstract elements within
Cummings' paintings demand to be connected on an experiential human level.
But they
consistently defy any sensible narrative, eventually leading the viewer to the
realization that it's the very fact that the elements are at odds with one another
that serves as the glue that holds the compositions together.
On one wall of the gallery, Cummings has also collaged drawings, framed and
unframed, with knickknacks and other found objects, forming an extensive
installation that serves as a legend to the vocabulary of his paintings as well as
its own expressionistic composition. With a broad range of styles and subjects, his
drawings are mixed to reflect his personal choices but---like his paintings---the
juxtapositions eventually lead the viewer along just so far before some
compositional roadblock places their growing narrative in limbo, highlighting the
experiential impact of conflict itself.
Boyce Cummings received his BFA and MFA from the School of Visual Arts. As a
2005/2006 Rome Prize Winner, he spent a year in Italy, but now lives and works in
New York.
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 30, 6-8 pm
Winkleman / Plus Ultra Gallery
637 West 27th Street (Ground Floor) - New York
Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday, 11am to 6pm or by appointment.
Free Admission