Gordon Powell (American, 1947-)
Hand signed and dated verso.
Trio
2006
Pine and gesso
Dimensions: Framed 23 1/2” x 18”
Gordon Powell received his M.F.A. from the University of Illinois in Chicago and his B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute, where he now serves as a full adjunct professor. His many awards include the prestigious Prix de Rome and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. His work is in numerous collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago.
Chicago abstract artist Gordon Powell describes his work as having to do with “building, about putting things together to make a physical form.” He manipulates common objects and positions them in new and unexpected contexts.
In this piece, Powell uses pieces of wood to create a sculptural relief. He forms a puzzle-like surface with carved and whitewashed pieces, joins them together to provide linear definition, and adds surface cuts in some areas. Notice how Powell allows the grains, imperfections and natural formations of the wood to be an integral part of his work.
"In my practice I work with “fragments” which I make from old pattern paper templates, mdf, and paint. Laid out on the table or floor, the materials are cut into different shapes and the surfaces painted or marked. They are then brought together and arranged or composed into a form and then glued together. The process and choices are the result of improvisation; comparing one fragment next to another to see how they work together." The images and shapes are abstract.His style is similar to the collage and assemblage works of French artist Georges Noel, Arman and Cesar and American artist Cecil Touchon.
Select Exhibitions Gordon Powell has participated in include the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Center, Racine Art Museum, Sculpture Center, New York, Roy Boyd Gallery Chicago and Los Angeles, Virgina Zabriskie Gallery, New York, Perimeter Gallery Chicago and New York City, the American Academy in Rome, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, and Gallery 400 at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
Select Collections include The Art Institute of Chicago, State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Rockford Art Museum, Racine Art Museum and the Elmhurst Art Museum. (see complete resume)
Select Awards and Residencies include the Rome Prize (Prix de Rome), National Endowment for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council Fellowships, School of the Art Institute Of Chicago Faculty Enrichment Grants, Yaddo Residency, Dora Maar House, Manerbe, France, American Academy in Rome Residencies, and Krems, Austria Residency, Karl Hofer Gesellschaft Residency, Berlin.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Anonymous Drawings Kunstraum Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
2013 Metropolitan Capital, Material Manipulation and Transformation: Barbara Cooper and Gordon Powell
An Impromptu Art Show, Judith Racht Gallery, Harbert, Mi
2011 Anchor Graphics: Surveying the collection, Riverside Arts Center, artists included Tim Anderson, McArthur Binion, Nyame Brown, Amanda Burk, Paul Coffey...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Art by Medium: Gesso
