Wardell Milan: Difference between revisions
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== Overview == |
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Wardell Milan is an American visual artist residing in New York City. He was born in 1977 in Knoxville Tennessee, and it was here that he began to display his interest in art. His parents, Wardell Sr. and Linda Milan, provided a separate “studio space” in their home for him to work, while his teachers offered their encouragement throughout his high school education.(1) Even though he is skilled in multiple mediums, as a teenager Milan focused primarily on photography. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tennessee in 2001. After earning his undergraduate degree, Milan was an artist in residence at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Skowhegan, Maine. He earned his Master of Fine Arts at Yale University in 2004, and soon after moved to New York. |
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'''Wardell Milan''' is a [[New York City]] based visual artist known for works on paper: drawings and collage, often blended together. He is also known for photographs of dense semi-autobiographical tabletop [[diorama]]s. His drawings generally incorporate figures, and are said to occupy a "space between beauty and ugliness."<ref name=Ground>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegroundmag.com/unbreakable-beauty-in-wardell-milans-drawings/|title=The Ground Magazine, Mar. 9 2012 - Unbreakable Beauty in Wardell Milan’s Drawings, By Joe Sutton}}</ref> |
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Milan’s work consists of drawing, painting, and photography, as well as constructing three-dimensional dioramas. According to the artist, he considers his work to be “visual narratives” that can be regarded as linear, or non-linear according to the way the viewer interprets each scene. (number) He often appropriates photographs, and found objects in his work. He is inspired by literature, philosophy, and human nature. Milan has said the works of Tennessee Williams, Alice Walker, and James Baldwin have offered him insight in their story-telling abilities |
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Born in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]] in 1978, from an early age he exhibited an artistic talent, and by the age of four drew regularly in a home studio provided by his parents,<ref name=Guernica/> Wardell Sr. and Linda Milan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.studiomuseum.org/sites/default/files/sum_07.pdf|title=Studio Magazine, Summer 2007, p.9}}</ref> After graduating from the [[University of Tennessee]] in 2001,<ref name=Tiffany/><ref name=Rhodes>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhodes.edu/art/18829.asp|title=Rhodes College, Clough-Hanson Gallery - Biography of Wardell Milan}}</ref> he attended the [[Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture]] in [[Skowhegan, Maine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skowheganart.org/index.php?page=art-registry&art_work_selected=3492|title=Showhagen School of Painting and Sculpture Alumni Directory}}</ref> While pursuing his [[Masters of Fine Arts]] at [[Yale University]] [[Yale School of Art|School of Art]], from which he graduated in 2004, he focused on blending his childhood drawing with photography and collage, ultimately producing dioramas to photograph.<ref name=Guernica>{{cite web|url=http://www.guernicamag.com/interviews/milan_hunt_ehrlich_12_15_11/|title=Guernica Magazine, Dec. 15, 2011 - Studio Visit: Wardell Milan, by Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich}}</ref> In 2006 he joined the [[Studio Museum in Harlem]] as artist in residence,<ref name=SMH>{{cite web|url=http://www.studiomuseum.org/index.php?q=exhibition/wardell-milan-drawings-harlem|title=Studio Museum in Harlem, Nov. 12, 2009 - Wardell Milan, Drawings of Harlem}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thebeardenproject.studiomuseum.org/wardell-milan/|title=The Bearden Project, The Studio Museum in Harlem, Wardell Milan Intro}}</ref> resulting in a 2007 show,<ref name=Sum>{{cite web|url=http://www.nysun.com/arts/dark-side-of-the-brain/61150/|title=New York Sun, Aug. 23, 2007 - The Dark Side of the Brain, By STEPHEN MAINE}}</ref> and that year he was awarded a [[Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation]] Grant.<ref name=Tiffany>{{cite web|url=http://www.louiscomforttiffanyfoundation.org/artists_2007/artist.php?page=bio&name=milan|title=Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation - Biography of Wardell Milan}}</ref> |
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== Work == |
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His first solo show in 2005, one year out of school, was glowingly reviewed by The [[New York Times]]: "Mr. Milan's work has plenty of finesse, but also feels flexible, on a growth curve. An auspicious debut."<ref name=NYT05>{{cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE5DF1630F935A25751C1A9639C8B63|title=New York Times, Dec. 16, 2005 - Art in Review; Wardell Milan, By HOLLAND COTTER}}</ref> The same publication called his 2010 exhibition of drawings "inspired."<ref name=NYT10>{{cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E7DD163CF93BA35752C0A9669D8B63|title=New York Times, Jan. 8, 2010 - Art in Review, Wardell MIlan, by Karen Rosenberg}}</ref> |
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Milan’s choice in using a wide range in media also offers insight into Milan’s interpretation on the themes of beauty and sexuality in contemporary society. Other themes such as personal identity and the body are seen, as he draws from sports culture, pornography, and fashion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thegroundmag.com/unbreakable-beauty-in-wardell-milans-drawings/|title=Unbreakable Beauty in Wardell Milan’s Drawings|website=The GROUND Magazine|access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref> In 2005 after attending graduate school, he exhibited ''Frequency'' at The Studio Museum in Harlem, Greater New York. The exhibition showcased Milan skills of using a wide range of mediums in his paintings, drawings and large scale montage-style photographs. In that same year, Milan’s first show abroad was ''La Beaute de l’Enfer'' at the Galerie Rodolphne Janssen in Brussels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wardellmilan.com/biography|title=Biography - Wardell Milan|website=www.wardellmilan.com|language=en|access-date=2017-05-08}}</ref> |
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The dioramas are three-dimensional constructions which Milan creates to photograph, and are presented as two-dimensional scenes.<ref>{{Citation|last=Justin Alvarez|title=Studio Visit with Wardell Milan|date=2011-12-15|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaAY7kzF_cM&t=2s|accessdate=2017-05-08}}</ref> He never shows the physical constructions, but chooses to present the scenes at large scales. These dioramas often depict bizarre environments where objects and characters interact. Upon first glance the work appears to be digitally edited, but upon further investigation the viewer can see Milan’s use of the camera. |
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The [[Whitney Museum of American Art]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whitney.org/Collection/AllArtists?artists_page=2&name=M|title=Whitney Museum Collection Index}}</ref> and the [[Museum of Modern Art]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=34764|title=MoMA Collection Online - Wardell Milan}}</ref> have acquired several pieces for their permanent collections. |
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These scenes create spaces and “moments in time” that “would never exist”. |
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He lives in [[Brooklyn, NY]] and is represented by Louis B. James.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.louisbjames.com/?cat=25|title=Louis B. James Gallery - Wardell Milan Page}}</ref> |
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His ''Boxing Series'' was inspired by the H.G Wells novel, ''The Invisible Man.'' Milan was specifically interested in the scene from the book, the Battle Royale.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.guernicamag.com/milan_hunt_ehrlich_12_15_11/|title=<i>Studio Visit</i>: Wardell Milan|date=2011-12-15|work=Guernica|access-date=2017-05-08|language=en-US}}</ref> He paid close attention to the character and his placement in that narrative to visualize that specific moment. This series, upon other works, consists of appropriated photographs which he collaged. The photographs were used from the book, ''The Fights'' which consist of photography taken by Charles Huff. Milan was interested in using the book, not only for inspiration, but regarded it as his “canvas”.<ref>{{Citation|last=Justin Alvarez|title=Studio Visit with Wardell Milan|date=2011-12-15|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaAY7kzF_cM&t=2s|accessdate=2017-05-08}}</ref>This series paved the way for Milan’s larger bodies of work which carries similar characteristics in visualizing narratives. |
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When describing his work in an article from Interview magazine, Wardell states: "I like this idea of creating duality of this uncomfortable shift for the viewer when they're looking at the work." (6) |
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In 2012 Wardell Milan has been exhibiting selections from ongoing series of work on paper and photography. He showed ''A Series of Inspiring Women ''(2012) at the Louis B. James Gallery (10) in New York, ''Kingdom or Exile: Parisian Landscapes ''(2013) at Savannah College of Art and Design, and ''(Show Untitled) Parisian Landscapes ''(2014), curated by Isolde Brielmaier, at Osmos Address in New York. (7) |
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Revision as of 14:51, 8 May 2017
Overview
Wardell Milan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1978 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Tennessee Yale School of Art |
| Website | www.wardellmilan.com |
Wardell Milan is an American visual artist residing in New York City. He was born in 1977 in Knoxville Tennessee, and it was here that he began to display his interest in art. His parents, Wardell Sr. and Linda Milan, provided a separate “studio space” in their home for him to work, while his teachers offered their encouragement throughout his high school education.(1) Even though he is skilled in multiple mediums, as a teenager Milan focused primarily on photography. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tennessee in 2001. After earning his undergraduate degree, Milan was an artist in residence at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Skowhegan, Maine. He earned his Master of Fine Arts at Yale University in 2004, and soon after moved to New York.
Milan’s work consists of drawing, painting, and photography, as well as constructing three-dimensional dioramas. According to the artist, he considers his work to be “visual narratives” that can be regarded as linear, or non-linear according to the way the viewer interprets each scene. (number) He often appropriates photographs, and found objects in his work. He is inspired by literature, philosophy, and human nature. Milan has said the works of Tennessee Williams, Alice Walker, and James Baldwin have offered him insight in their story-telling abilities
Work
Milan’s choice in using a wide range in media also offers insight into Milan’s interpretation on the themes of beauty and sexuality in contemporary society. Other themes such as personal identity and the body are seen, as he draws from sports culture, pornography, and fashion.[1] In 2005 after attending graduate school, he exhibited Frequency at The Studio Museum in Harlem, Greater New York. The exhibition showcased Milan skills of using a wide range of mediums in his paintings, drawings and large scale montage-style photographs. In that same year, Milan’s first show abroad was La Beaute de l’Enfer at the Galerie Rodolphne Janssen in Brussels.[2]
The dioramas are three-dimensional constructions which Milan creates to photograph, and are presented as two-dimensional scenes.[3] He never shows the physical constructions, but chooses to present the scenes at large scales. These dioramas often depict bizarre environments where objects and characters interact. Upon first glance the work appears to be digitally edited, but upon further investigation the viewer can see Milan’s use of the camera.
These scenes create spaces and “moments in time” that “would never exist”.
His Boxing Series was inspired by the H.G Wells novel, The Invisible Man. Milan was specifically interested in the scene from the book, the Battle Royale.[4] He paid close attention to the character and his placement in that narrative to visualize that specific moment. This series, upon other works, consists of appropriated photographs which he collaged. The photographs were used from the book, The Fights which consist of photography taken by Charles Huff. Milan was interested in using the book, not only for inspiration, but regarded it as his “canvas”.[5]This series paved the way for Milan’s larger bodies of work which carries similar characteristics in visualizing narratives.
When describing his work in an article from Interview magazine, Wardell states: "I like this idea of creating duality of this uncomfortable shift for the viewer when they're looking at the work." (6)
In 2012 Wardell Milan has been exhibiting selections from ongoing series of work on paper and photography. He showed A Series of Inspiring Women (2012) at the Louis B. James Gallery (10) in New York, Kingdom or Exile: Parisian Landscapes (2013) at Savannah College of Art and Design, and (Show Untitled) Parisian Landscapes (2014), curated by Isolde Brielmaier, at Osmos Address in New York. (7)
References
- ^ "Unbreakable Beauty in Wardell Milan's Drawings". The GROUND Magazine. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ "Biography - Wardell Milan". www.wardellmilan.com. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ Justin Alvarez (2011-12-15), Studio Visit with Wardell Milan, retrieved 2017-05-08
- ^ "Studio Visit: Wardell Milan". Guernica. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ Justin Alvarez (2011-12-15), Studio Visit with Wardell Milan, retrieved 2017-05-08