Thornton WillisThe Lattice Paintings at ELIZABETH HARRIS GALLERY

James Kalm drops in for an exhibition of recent paintings by one of the last stalwarts of New York School Abstract Expressionism, Thornton Willis. With Lattice Willis is re-investigating a compositional format he explored in the 1960s. After developing a signature image, that both drew attention and limited progression in the late seventies the wedge series was superseded by the crystal series. Lattice is a return to purely horizontal/vertical elements, reducing painterly forms to their most essential simplicity. Featuring an extended interview with Thornton Willis.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• James
• Kalm
• Thornton
• Willis
• Elizabeth
• Harris
• Gallery
• opening
• painting
• drawing
• fine
• Abstract
• Expressionism
• Modern
• Post-Modern
• Chelsea
• New
• York
• School
• color-field

[jameskalm]

Dear fans of the James Kalm Report. Ive just linked an extensive interview with Salt Lakes own conceptual art gad-fly, and internet maven, Qi Peng. This is a lengthy piece but hits on questions Im constantly asked. Check it out at the lorenmunk site

Thanks

James Kalm

[rybgpo]

I haven't seen these paintings, but your closeups make me think that Mr. Willis's work has the light, color, and physicality that Sean Scully claims for his work, but which it never actually delivers in person. Thornton is the real deal.

[jameskalm]

As I understand it Sean, is an admirer, and has bought some of Thornton's work. They've known each other for decades.

[destroyer820]

I appreciate his dedication( hope I can do as much) but the writing is on the wall - almost no one was looking at his work. After one glance you know what the work is all about, end of sentence. My wish is that Willis is right, his genre will rise again, if for no other reason than to remember our past.

[jameskalm]

Don't take what appears in this video of the opening as a definitive statement on whether people are looking or not. The work is very complex and for those with the capacity, worthy of extended visual contemplation.

[destroyer820]

I don't feel it is definitive or my hopes would not be for his work to rise in vogue again. I am certain more learned critics than myself can defend his work as complex, but I disagree and rarely become intimidated by the critics who miss the obvious because they want to be appear intellectual. It would be a mistake to say I don't have the capacity of worthy extended visual contemplation (you really don''t know that) Perhaps that's the snobbery of the New York art scene coming through.

[jameskalm]

If the shoe fits...

and I ain't no critic.

[aguirredimatteo]

01:14 ,, this paint is very bad,

[DJmixmo]

Mr. Willis is a painter's painter. An abstract expressionist to his death and damn everyone who says the movement is dead. BRAVO! Thanks for posting, James! I loved the interview.

[destroyer820]

Thanks for responding. Oh, yeah, I know, I've watched 285 of Kalm's videos. He does a great job, He's very neutral in deed, The comments and views were entirely mine, and I was responding to the swell of postive responses that seemed reluctant to walk into the critical zone. Sometimes responses get too "PollyaAnna" and become a bit monotonous Have an excellent day.

[chandru1103]

He just films it buddy... he's very neutral...refreshing

[enjoythemoon]

I love Mr Willis' crystal series, and these new paintings represent yet another step forward for this artist. So much fun to look at, great dynamics, depth, color. Thanks for this opportunity, Mr Kalm! There's also a neat video on the artist's website. (But a studio visit by The Kalm Report would be even better... wink wink)

[seintzeit]

manly? ha.

summerhouse looked pretty, girly (or mary) to me...

whatever the gender, some nice paintings...

:)

[hankjunior]

A couple of those paintings give me the same heavy vibe that a Rothko does.  I like it. Thorton Willis ,Coolest name in the Art game !

Thanks James

[destroyer820]

I thought so, too, but I'm still an amateur. It's all a bit, I guess. .

[destroyer820]

Well, yeah. I give the social event a high five. The people were really on at Lizzie Harris, but this wasn't the first time I've seen TW's work. I've contemplated his work too much perhaps or maybe I listen to Howard Stearn too much.