NEW YORK— The Mike Weiss Gallery is full of New Yorkers that will put a smile on your face. Will Kurtz has populated the space with collaged newspaper sculptures that depict people he has seen around the city and captured on his iPhone.
He transforms his subjects into life-size works using wood and wire as a foundation. The sculptures are finished with torn newspaper, adding color, dimension and texture to the surfaces. Kurtz has chosen a fascinating medium—layered headlines and images introduce an interpretive aspect to his realistic figures.
“Extra Fucking Ordinary,” Kurtz’s first exhibition at the gallery, is on view from Jan. 12 to Feb. 18, 2012.
All photos by Arts Observer
Above, “The Bag Lady,” 2011 (wood, wire, newspaper, tape, glue, matte medium, chain, dog collar, and dog leash).
“Dancing Girls,” 2011 (wood, wire, newspaper, tape, glue and matte medium).
Detail of “Dancing Girls,” 2011.
“Sweeping Woman,” 2011 (wood, wire, newspaper, tape, glue, matte medium, wig and broom).
“Adora,” 2011 (wood, wire, newspaper, tape, glue, matte medium, wig, earrings and styrofoam cup).
Detail of “Julio and His Two Sisters,” 2011 (wood, wire, newspaper, tape, glue, matte medium, shoe laces, ear rings, necklace, lip stud and bag).
The sculptures are constructed with torn sheets of newspaper, wood, wire, screws, tape and everyday objects.
“Luther & Francis,” 2011 (wood, metal wire, newspaper, hot glue, screws, tape and matte medium).
Detail of “Luther & Francis,” 2011.
Foreground, at right, “Biro,” 2011 (newspaper, tape, glue, matte medium, and rope dog toy).
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“Sniffing Ass,” 2011 (wood, metal wire, newspaper, tape, glue and matte medium).
Awesome mind