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 Wills Untitled (Inverted Cross), 2012 Oil and rayon thread on wood 36 x 36 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Inverted Cross) (Detail), 2012 Oil and rayon thread on wood 36 x 36 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Inverted Graph), 2012 Oil and rayon thread on wood 36 x 36 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Inverted Graph) (Detail), 2012 Oil and rayon thread on wood 36 x 36 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Graph Grid), 2012 Enamel, rayon linear polyurethane on wood 60 x 60 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Graph Grid), 2012 Enamel, rayon linear polyurethane on wood 60 x 60 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Red Poly), 2012 Enamel, linear polyurethane and rayon thread on wood 60 x 72 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Red Poly), 2012 Enamel, linear polyurethane and rayon thread on wood 60 x 72 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Horizontal Red), 2012 Oil, rayon thread and linear polyurethane on wood 24 x 48 inches
Brian Wills Sixty for J.M., 2012 Oil, rayon thread, linear polyurethane on wood 12 x 12 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Surfboard), 2012 Oil, rayon thread and linear polyurethane on wood 32 x 96 inches
Brian Wills
 Untitled (Vertical Horizon), 2012 Oil, rayon thread, and linear polyurethane on wood 24 x 96 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Cross), 2012 Oil, and rayon thread on wood 72 x 72 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Cross) (Detail), 2012 Oil, and rayon thread on wood 72 x 72 inches
Brian Wills Untitled (Wedge Sculpture), 2012 Oil, rayon thread, and basswood on wood 36 x 36 x 12
Brian Wills Untitled (Crosses), 2012 Oil, and rayon thread on wood (25) 12 x 12 inch panels
nye+brown | 2685 south la cienega blvd. | los angeles, ca 90034 gallery@nyeplusbrown.com | +1 310 559 5215