JOAN TUCKER: Canvas on Canvas
February 24 - March 31, 2018 Artist Reception: Saturday, February 24, 5 - 8pm |
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |

George Billis Gallery LA is pleased to present Canvas on Canvas, the gallery's second solo exhibition of paintings by Los Angeles artist Joan Tucker. The exhibition features the artist's recent abstract collaged canvas paintings and continues through March 31.
Mixed media artist Joan Tucker uses and mis-uses the basic tenants of color, composition, and form to create richly textured canvases that are idiosyncratic and intriguing. Having become immersed in the world of Japanese Boro several years ago, she began to consider textiles as another way to express her abstract painting compositions. Using hand-dyed indigo fabrics, a variety of tea-stained and raw torn pieces of canvas and linen, found materials, recycled and distressed pieces of past paintings – and black thread as expressive line and frayed edges as textural components – her practice evolved into something new and inspiring and the resulting work took on a life of its own.
The artist writes of her process, “When I begin a piece, I have a germ of an idea. That idea can come from something I've seen, somewhere I've been, a feeling or just a thought. The emotional story slowly begins to reveal itself to me. The painting is waiting for me to discover it and, together, the painting and I begin to ‘work it out.’
I'm interested in what is hidden beneath the surface - in the multiple layers of texture and color. So I begin to dig and shape - to push and pull – add and subtract - whatever it takes.
I cut, tear, and paint. I scribble imaginary shapes. I create a private alphabet. I sew, compose, rip apart – and through it all, the principals of design are always there demanding to be considered. In the end, I have a painting that was begun in an emotional and intuitive state, tamed and controlled by the basic elements of organization and composition that invokes a secret world - a provocative world - a richly textured and sensual world - to get lost and found in.”
Tucker was born in Detroit and received her BA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her work appears in public and private collections including NBC/Universal, Wells Fargo, Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, Gearhead Entertainment, and Supply & Demand Films among others. She lives and works in Los Angeles.
Back to Artist Page
Mixed media artist Joan Tucker uses and mis-uses the basic tenants of color, composition, and form to create richly textured canvases that are idiosyncratic and intriguing. Having become immersed in the world of Japanese Boro several years ago, she began to consider textiles as another way to express her abstract painting compositions. Using hand-dyed indigo fabrics, a variety of tea-stained and raw torn pieces of canvas and linen, found materials, recycled and distressed pieces of past paintings – and black thread as expressive line and frayed edges as textural components – her practice evolved into something new and inspiring and the resulting work took on a life of its own.
The artist writes of her process, “When I begin a piece, I have a germ of an idea. That idea can come from something I've seen, somewhere I've been, a feeling or just a thought. The emotional story slowly begins to reveal itself to me. The painting is waiting for me to discover it and, together, the painting and I begin to ‘work it out.’
I'm interested in what is hidden beneath the surface - in the multiple layers of texture and color. So I begin to dig and shape - to push and pull – add and subtract - whatever it takes.
I cut, tear, and paint. I scribble imaginary shapes. I create a private alphabet. I sew, compose, rip apart – and through it all, the principals of design are always there demanding to be considered. In the end, I have a painting that was begun in an emotional and intuitive state, tamed and controlled by the basic elements of organization and composition that invokes a secret world - a provocative world - a richly textured and sensual world - to get lost and found in.”
Tucker was born in Detroit and received her BA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her work appears in public and private collections including NBC/Universal, Wells Fargo, Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, Gearhead Entertainment, and Supply & Demand Films among others. She lives and works in Los Angeles.
Back to Artist Page
George Billis Gallery opened its second location in the Culver City area of Los Angeles in 2004 and marks its 15th year in the Chelsea arts district in New York City. George Billis shows work by both emerging and established artists. For more information please contact the gallery at:
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
email: la@georgebillis.com
www.georgebillis.com
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
email: la@georgebillis.com
www.georgebillis.com