Aaron Wexler
There’s something about elements in nature that are always surprisingly abstract to me. I’m interested in shapes in nature as they relate to abstraction in painting. In my work I investigate the curious, rich area of visual potential these shapes exist in. I question how we interpret what we see in terms of abstraction whether it is by chance or intentionally looking at a work of art.
I collect distinctly different representations of abstraction of nature: prints, books, photographs and more. I make drawings and collages from these source materials. They become cut and paste blueprints from which I build my surface layers on the picture plane.
Concealing and revealing in my work is an important form of visual play. I play with the back and forth between what is print, what is paint and what is just negative space. Collage is a form of sampling but for me it’s what’s in between those samples, which is just as exciting. My selection process of shapes, images and paint is based in poetic responses on how I respond to formal elements – it is in that act that I find profound meaning.
The Not-So-Distant Future, 2008, acrylic and paper collage on panel
Power of Late Night Persuasion, 2011, Collaged painted paper and print material on panel
Tiger, Tiger, 2011, Collaged painted paper and print material on panel
Power of Late Night Persuasion, 2011, Collaged painted paper and print material on panel
Local Mysteries, 2009, Collaged painted paper and print material on panel
Inside – Out, 2009, Collaged painted paper and print material on panel
Aaron Wexler is an artist and designer living in New York. Aaron received his M.F.A from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, B.F.A from Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia. He has had solo shows in New York and London. Participated in numerous group shows internationally, most recently Abstract America, The Saatchi gallery and Remix, The International Collage Center. His work is in numerous public and private collections including The West Collection and The Saatchi Collection. Aaron has been a visiting artist/lecturer at The Drawing Center, NY., New School/Parsons University, NY., Pratt Institute, NY., Penn State University and Christie’s Education, NY. In addition to his studio practice, Aaron is a visual designer for window display and interiors for 12 years, working with Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York, Reed Krakoff and Tibi. Aaron also eats green vegetables everyday.
www.aaronwexler.com