brian wills: unwound

UNWOUND BRIAN WILLS

Nye + Brown is pleased to present Brian Wills: Unwound opening January 7th, 2012. Using relatively few materials: thread, paint, and wood, the new works dance between radical color line compositions and minimal reflective fields.

In constant flux, a push-pull, harmony and discordance run through the work. Wills literally stretches the limits of what thread can do, physically and visually. The pieces consisting of densely woven, intersecting bands of color give multiplied dimension to the picture plane. Exacting lines give way to intentional flaws. The artist is ever present, obsessive and imperfect. The gesture is repeated and grows to monumental scales. The result explodes into vibrating grids of color, bold, brilliant and joyful.

Other works take a more subtle approach. Looser compositions and application of industrial polyurethane harness light and alter perception. Wills commands the line to induce optical sensations as the liquid surface built up through a laborious process of sanding and application gives way to limitless reflection.

Wills is a graduate of Denison and Harvard Universities. His work has been included in numerous exhibitions in the US and abroad. Previous exhibitions include Swell Art 1950-2010, NY, Gray Day at Roberts and Tilton, What’s New Pussycat at the Torrance Art Museum, Galerie Michael Janssen, Cologne, Made in California, Selected Works from the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation and Consequence at Museum 52 in London. Brian Wills lives and works in Los Angeles.

Brian WillsUntitled (Inverted Cross), 2012Oil and rayon thread on wood36 x 36 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Inverted Cross) (Detail), 2012Oil and rayon thread on wood36 x 36 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Inverted Graph), 2012Oil and rayon thread on wood36 x 36 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Inverted Graph) (Detail), 2012Oil and rayon thread on wood36 x 36 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Graph Grid), 2012Enamel, rayon linear polyurethane on wood60 x 60 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Red Poly), 2012Enamel, linear polyurethane and rayon thread on wood60 x 72 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Horizontal Red), 2012Oil, rayon thread and linear polyurethane on wood24 x 48 inches

Brian WillsSixty for J.M., 2012Oil, rayon thread, linear polyurethane on wood12 x 12 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Surfboard), 2012Oil, rayon thread and linear polyurethane on wood32 x 96 inches

Brian Wills Untitled (Vertical Horizon), 2012Oil, rayon thread, and linear polyurethane on wood24 x 96 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Cross), 2012Oil, and rayon thread on wood72 x 72 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Cross) (Detail), 2012Oil, and rayon thread on wood72 x 72 inches

Brian WillsUntitled (Wedge Sculpture), 2012Oil, rayon thread, and basswood on wood36 x 36 x 12

Brian WillsUntitled (Crosses), 2012Oil, and rayon thread on wood(25) 12 x 12 inch panels

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