Gray Contemporary will host two new exhibitions: Joachim West: "the descent of man" in the Main Gallery and Lael Marshall: "Paper/Wood Constructions" in the Second Gallery.
"the descent of man" is part of the "Mother Earth Is a Dirty Whore" series, which is focused on metaphor and meaning. Strongly influenced by the spirit of social critique evident in the Fallas of Valencia, a city where West has deep roots, this project is concerned with questions about the human proclivity towards violence and a criticism of contemporary society. West is also strongly interested in the mythology of his ancestors, the west and near-east and uses the language of their mythos in his exploration of humanity and her violence.
The works in "Paper/Wood Constructions" were made during Marshall's residency at Dieu Donné Papermill, New York. Pigmented paper pulp, first pressed and then applied over wooden supports was the method she used for creating these small sculptural wall pieces. This particular paper fiber, abaca, is amazingly strong and resilient to puncture as it dries and shrinks over the wood beneath. Finding form by stretching fibers, whether paper, in this instance, or fabric in other recent works, has been a source of interest for her as she has expanded my practice beyond the flat, rectangular, paint on canvas model.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display until June 23.
Gray Contemporary will host two new exhibitions: Joachim West: "the descent of man" in the Main Gallery and Lael Marshall: "Paper/Wood Constructions" in the Second Gallery.
"the descent of man" is part of the "Mother Earth Is a Dirty Whore" series, which is focused on metaphor and meaning. Strongly influenced by the spirit of social critique evident in the Fallas of Valencia, a city where West has deep roots, this project is concerned with questions about the human proclivity towards violence and a criticism of contemporary society. West is also strongly interested in the mythology of his ancestors, the west and near-east and uses the language of their mythos in his exploration of humanity and her violence.
The works in "Paper/Wood Constructions" were made during Marshall's residency at Dieu Donné Papermill, New York. Pigmented paper pulp, first pressed and then applied over wooden supports was the method she used for creating these small sculptural wall pieces. This particular paper fiber, abaca, is amazingly strong and resilient to puncture as it dries and shrinks over the wood beneath. Finding form by stretching fibers, whether paper, in this instance, or fabric in other recent works, has been a source of interest for her as she has expanded my practice beyond the flat, rectangular, paint on canvas model.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display until June 23.
Gray Contemporary will host two new exhibitions: Joachim West: "the descent of man" in the Main Gallery and Lael Marshall: "Paper/Wood Constructions" in the Second Gallery.
"the descent of man" is part of the "Mother Earth Is a Dirty Whore" series, which is focused on metaphor and meaning. Strongly influenced by the spirit of social critique evident in the Fallas of Valencia, a city where West has deep roots, this project is concerned with questions about the human proclivity towards violence and a criticism of contemporary society. West is also strongly interested in the mythology of his ancestors, the west and near-east and uses the language of their mythos in his exploration of humanity and her violence.
The works in "Paper/Wood Constructions" were made during Marshall's residency at Dieu Donné Papermill, New York. Pigmented paper pulp, first pressed and then applied over wooden supports was the method she used for creating these small sculptural wall pieces. This particular paper fiber, abaca, is amazingly strong and resilient to puncture as it dries and shrinks over the wood beneath. Finding form by stretching fibers, whether paper, in this instance, or fabric in other recent works, has been a source of interest for her as she has expanded my practice beyond the flat, rectangular, paint on canvas model.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display until June 23.