LA MAISON, graphite on paper. 80 cm x 60 cm, 1997. Collection Betti Romersi, Rome, Italy.
I produced this and about a dozen other large drawings on paper using graphite in early 1997. They were produced while during a stay at the Cité Internationale des Arts, 75004 Paris. I was sponsored by The American Center in Paris. What was interesting about producing these works was the repetition involved in making a space, a word or shape completely black. I burned through a hundred No. 4 and 6 soft lead pencils. I also began to take an interest in turning words into images, drawing them.My stay at the Cité lasted until the following March (1998) and when I left I had left off drawing and begun producing collage and assemblage pieces on wood.
A number of these drawings still exist, the largest of which is more than 2 meters wide and a meter high and is called: ONE DAY NOTHING HAPPENED. On that drawing, in graphite I designed the DUMB BUNNY, which has had a life in drawings, stencils, silkscreens and collage works.
Right: Installation shot of LA MAISON in Betti Romersi's house in Rome, Italy. (Click to enlarge). Romersi, a friend, artist and collector, sandwhiched this piece in a massive glass frame, a design out of her favorite decade, the 1970s.
Nice piece, and enjoyed reading that you did this while in residency at the Cite. We've had several residencies there in the Virginia Centre studio, and always have found it a most productive time. I'm enjoying your posts.
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