Open End
Curated by David McDonald. Works by Robert Bordo, Dan Devening, Julie Graham, Andrew Masullo, Thomas Nozkowski, Steve Roden, Haley Tompkins, Tam Van Tran, B. Wurtz
January 6 - February 17, 2007
Installation View, 2007.
In his first curatorial effort since leaving Carl Berg Gallery, David McDonald has created a spectacular new look at abstraction in a variety of media. Open End showcases artists whose work is abstract in the original sense of the word; its imagery is derived from sources in the visible world as opposed to abstraction itself. The dominant pictorial language in today's art world is based on realism, yet the tradition of abstraction continues to develop and expand, thus remaining a relevant and meaningful component of our culture. While maintaining this stance, it is the subtle humor and casual appearance which belies the fact that most of these artists' production is, in fact, labor intensive and involves serious editing. With these thoughts in mind, McDonald has curated an exhibition including artists from several generations in order to emphasize this continuity and continued relevance.
Robert Bordo's recent paintings have a loose gestural quality that appears informal. Seeming completely abstract, their source is often revealed in the paintings title. Recent exhibitions have included shows at Alexander and Bonin, NY, Galerie Rene Blouen, Montreal, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum, North Carolina.
Dan Devening's works combine printmaking and painting to create rich surfaces and a graceful flow of line. He has shown in Chicago at Roy Boyd and the University Club of Chicago, and at Wake Forrest University, NC.
Keltie Ferris explores a loose gesture wherein the image is in constant danger of flying apart. Ferris has exhibited in New York at Jack Tilton Gallery and John Connelly Presents. She will have her first solo show at Kinkead Contemporary in March.
Julie Graham's drawings explore her interest in combining the forms of vernacular architecture with abstract mark-making. Graham has exhibited in Boston at Harcus Gallery. She will be featured in an upcoming group exhibition at OHT Gallery in Boston.
Andrew Masullo's colorful paintings are the result of extensive trial and error while remaining playful and remarkably fresh. Masullo has exhibited in New York at Feature and Joan Washburn Gallery, and in San Francisco at Gallery Paule Anglim.
Steve Roden works in sculpture, painting, film, and sound. Using systems derived from the works of writers, musicians, and philosophers he creates pieces that break the bounds of their structures. Roden has exhibited at Suzanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Nicole Klagsburn, NY, Studio la Citta, Verona, Italy and the Henry Art Gallery, Seattle.
Hayley Tompkins makes ephemeral drawings, paintings, and sculptures that are usually diminutive in size but profoundly affect the environment in which they are placed. Tompkins has exhibited in New York at Andrew Kreps, in Los Angeles at Acme, in San Francisco at Jack Hanley Gallery, and The Modern Institute in Glasgow.
Tam Van Tran's recent large-scale works on paper derive from a labor-intensive process of addition combined with an avid involvement with unusual materials derived from foodstuffs and the strong influence of his practice in Tibetan Buddhism. He will be exhibiting his first sculpture in ceramic for this exhibition. He has exhibited at the Whitney Biennial, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, Anthony Meier Fine Art, San Francisco and Cohen and Leslie, NY.
B. Wurtz makes sculptures that appear to have almost fallen into place yet contain a sophisticated use of everyday materials and a beautiful synthesis of both formal and informal composition. He has exhibited in New York at Feature, Barbara Gladstone and Andrea Rosen, and in Los Angeles at Richard Telles.
David McDonald is an artist, curator, and teacher who lives in Topanga Canyon. He is the former director at Carl Berg Gallery. David has also exhibited his work widely at such venues as Thomas Solomon's Garage, Los Angeles, Newspace, Los Angeles, Traywick Contemporary, Berkeley, Elizabeth Harris Gallery, NY, and Dan Bernier Gallery among others. His work has been reviewed in the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, The New Yorker, The Santa Fean, Art in America, and Sculpture Magazine. He received a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant for the year 2006.
