55 Orchard Street, New York, New York 10002 212 989 5467 fax 212 989 5642
55 Orchard Street, New York, New York 10002 212 989 5467 fax 212 989 5642 |
James Nelson |
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James Nelson's intensely detailed drawings are created on handmade Japanese and Chinese papers. He covers each sheet with small, soft graphite marks and patches of various shades that form irregular organic networks. Each piece is the result of a meditative process: Nelson stares at the paper and considers the patterns and textures that emerge in the gampi and kozo fibers. He follows them carefully while drawing, yet allows for spontaneous deviations as the completed sections accumulate and meander naturally. Despite the abundant visual information, Nelson always maintains a delicate sense of overall balance and integration. He never allows the densely drawn areas to coalesce enough to imply a figure/ground relationship, a fixed interpretation or a sense of precise representation. While the drawings may fleetingly suggest natural forms ranging from the microscopic to the geologic, the viewer ultimately understands the contemplative side of Nelson's mark-making. The very act of viewing is emphasized as one's gaze wanders from passage to passage, registering the minute information and taking pleasure in its expansiveness. | |||||||
 Untitled, 2002 Graphite on Japanese paper 39 x 24 1/2 inches |
 Untitled, 2004 Graphite on Japanese paper 38 3/4 x 25 1/4 inches |
 Untitled, 2004 Graphite on Japanese paper 39 x 25 inches |
 Untitled, 2004 Graphite on Japanese paper 38 3/4 x 25 inches |
 Untitled, 2004 Graphite on Japanese paper 9 7/8 x 6 1/8 inches |
 Untitled, 2004 Graphite on Japanese paper 9 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches |
 Untitled, 2003 Graphite on Japanese paper 10 x 6 1/4 inches |
 Untitled, 2004 Graphite on Japanese paper 10 x 6 1/4 inches |
 Untitled, 2003 Graphite on Japanese paper 9 3/4 x 6 3/8 inches |
 Untitled, 2001 Graphite on Japanese paper 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches |
 Untitled, 2004 Graphite on Japanese paper 9 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches |
 Untitled, 2003 Graphite on Japanese paper 10 x 6 1/4 inches |
 Untitled, 2003 Graphite on Japanese paper 6 x 5 1/4 inches |
 Untitled, 2003 Graphite on Japanese paper 6 1/4 x 5 inches |
 Untitled, 2004 Graphite on Japanese paper 6 1/8 x 5 inches |
