September 13, 2017 - November 7, 2017
In his series “Imago Verbosa,” David Hollier creates portraits of cultural and political icons from painted and typed text, constructing composites with words made famous by the individuals who spoke them. Part social commentary and part documentary, the images first show as grainy photos; upon closer examination, the text materializes and the figure fades into abstraction. With this intentional technique, Hollier literally blurs the lines between pop culture and politics.
This play between text and image points to the notion that an individual’s voice can go on to resonate and shape a society. The viewer is drawn into a deeper engagement with Hollier’s work and presented with a choice of focus: text or image. This posture of reflection provides the viewer with an opportunity to consider the past as well as the future: what is the significance of celebrity and notoriety in history and culture? What gives words the power to shape, influence, and endure?
Photos by Chela Crinnion
Curated by Christina Young
About the artist:
David Hollier is originally from Wolverhampton, England. He has been living and working in Brooklyn, New York since 2002 and divides his time between painting and teaching at Parsons, The New School. He sold his first painting when he was 15 years old, and has been exhibited in solo and group shows around the world. He is represented by New Apostle Gallery in NYC, Gilles Clement Gallery in Connecticut, and Ap-Art Gallery in London.