Concept Drawings
May 15 - July 24, 2021

Installation and Image Photography : Christian Carone

Press Release

Concept Drawings

From May 15 through July 24, 2021, the Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba is pleased to present, CONCEPT DRAWINGS, an exhibition of 54 works on paper by sculptors Amir Bey, Dino Blanche, Marco Bras, John Bright, Colin Chase, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Linus Coraggio, Valeria Cray, Dan DeZarn, Lynn Duggan, Ronald Gonzalez, Vandorn Hinnant, Musa Hixson, Richard Hunt, Tom Kendall, Otto Neals, Helen Ramsaran, Allen Topolski and Chris Wynter.

The CONCEPT DRAWINGS exhibition presents the work of 19 sculptors who have developed new approaches by transposing forms of their three-dimensional work to the flatness of paper. Working seamlessly between two- and three-dimensional forms, they employ a variety of methods whether freehand, printed, embossed or digitally manipulated.

Noted sculptor Richard Hunt uses pastel and charcoal (untitled) and lithography (untitled 225) as his tools. Hunt is working through concepts for larger scale public sculpture. The more technical tool of choice employed by Colin Chase, also known for large-scale work, is the computer. His simulated works are strict geometric digitized patterns made from contorted texts, such as Of Cries and Whispers-Awhere the letters are stretched almost in reduced legibility and the sentences are mirrored and woven vertically and horizontally. Tom Kendall tears paper as in flattened collaged installations.

By contrast, works that are embedded with a version of freehand, repeating, curved lines include the whimsical On a spiral theme#2 on zentangle background, a pencil and ink drawing by John Bright. Linus Coraggio’s Curly Cube and Sawhorse and Dino Blanche’s black and white woodcut, Pinched Nerve and Standing on Tao are composed of fluid and confident freehand gestures. 

A number of artists are inspired by Eastern influences. Tactile both in the way they are conceived and made, Helen Ramsaran developed a series of handmade paper reliefs during an apprenticeship in Japan. Amir Bey, who also worked in Japan, developed a series of Sumi ink drawings embossed with a red Hanko stamp. Vandorn Hinnant’s geometric design is reminiscent of a mandala, often symbolized in Hindu and Buddhist cultures.

The architectural, structural renderings of Barbara Chase-Riboud, Valeria Cray, Dan Dezarn and Allen Topolski read as site plans for installing or creating in the technical sense, perhaps for large scale public works. Chase-Riboud’s Akhmatova’s Monument, a lithograph from her series of Monument drawings, is rendered abstractly with horizontal script appearing across the top of the forms. Cray offers two additional architectural renderings: Adam and Eve which is constructed upon a grid, and Totem Columns as her most architectural. In the case of Marco Bras and Otto Neals, the actual sculptures become a part of the overall design. Chris Wynter develops new concepts in charcoal and graphite.

Like Ronald Gonzalez, Musa Hixson is one of the more experimental sculptors who incorporates recyclable and existing found objects in his sculptures. The elliptical forms in Untitled and Wood and Steel are spheres and patterns found organically in nature. The organic forms of Lynn Duggan’s Kafka’s Garden are complemented by surreal effects. 

CONCEPT DRAWINGS is a gathering of several abstract languages and practices along with Geometric, Intuitive, Gestural and Minimal approaches. This exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Lederer Gallery at SUNY Geneseo.

Kenkeleba programs are funded in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and many generous friends.