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STEPHEN HICKS: RECENT WORKS
November 23rd - January 4th, 2014 Artist Reception: Saturday, November 23rd, 5 - 8pm |
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
George Billis Gallery is pleased to present the gallery’s first solo exhibition of work by Stephen Hicks. The exhibition features the artist’s newest body of abstract oil paintings bursting with color and vibrancy. The show continues through January 4th, 2014.
In this series of oil and acrylic paintings Hicks moves from a literal to a more metaphorical documentation of architectural space. Taking cues from Mondrian, Klein, Pollock and Ryman, Hicks uses a fundamental grammar of line and plane to generate a painting language that leads to unexpected conclusions. Throughout the process his restricted syntax gives way to more expansive possibilities that cultivate oppositions between gesture and geometry, as well as intention and accident.
The work draws from both Hicks' former architectural study and practice as well as to his even earlier, exposure to Sumi-e painting. While the more intuitive brushwork begins to describe patterns of energy, the shifting planes mimic the architectural form of our built environment. Traces of line and plane become the equivalents of doubt, memory and time. The whole evokes an evolving abstract narrative while the best results seem at once surprising and obvious.
Stephen Hicks received his MFA in 1995 from the Yale University School of Art and has been exhibiting widely across New York and California. Hicks earned the Ely Harwood Schless Memorial Fund Prize, for highest achievement in painting. His work has been featured in many publications including The New York Times, The New York Sun, and Art in America to name a few. Hicks lives and works in New York City.
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In this series of oil and acrylic paintings Hicks moves from a literal to a more metaphorical documentation of architectural space. Taking cues from Mondrian, Klein, Pollock and Ryman, Hicks uses a fundamental grammar of line and plane to generate a painting language that leads to unexpected conclusions. Throughout the process his restricted syntax gives way to more expansive possibilities that cultivate oppositions between gesture and geometry, as well as intention and accident.
The work draws from both Hicks' former architectural study and practice as well as to his even earlier, exposure to Sumi-e painting. While the more intuitive brushwork begins to describe patterns of energy, the shifting planes mimic the architectural form of our built environment. Traces of line and plane become the equivalents of doubt, memory and time. The whole evokes an evolving abstract narrative while the best results seem at once surprising and obvious.
Stephen Hicks received his MFA in 1995 from the Yale University School of Art and has been exhibiting widely across New York and California. Hicks earned the Ely Harwood Schless Memorial Fund Prize, for highest achievement in painting. His work has been featured in many publications including The New York Times, The New York Sun, and Art in America to name a few. Hicks lives and works in New York City.
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
