K. OSS CONTEMPORARY ART
MARY GILLIS METALSCAPES MAY - JUNE 2018
Born in Michigan, keen to become an artist, Mary Gillis traveled to Venice, Italy in her early 20's to study art and art history with New York University at the Centro Internazionale delle Arti, Palazzo Grassi. Mary holds a BFA degree from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY and a MA from NewYork University. She was a Visiting Artist at the American Academy in Rome in 2016. Gillis’ style has evolved from large pastel drawings, collages and prints to paintings and large-scale sculptures to mixed media, work on aluminum and even recycled guardrail. Through the whole of her remarkable career nature, especially water, has had a great impact on her work. The “Venice Drawings,” “Great Lakes Series,” and “Fountain Collages” reflect her passion for the rhythms and dynamism of moving water. In her new show at K.OSS Contemporary Art, Mary Gillis: Metalscapes, I am delighted to introduce you to a series of her abstract geometric pieces that Gillis created using thermoset polymer on aluminum, acrylic paint on acrylic glass, stainless steel and guardrails. This unusual mixture of mediums creates a world both totally new and reflective of the past. These startling effects she creates by using acrylic on clay- coated hardboard as well as thermoset polymer on recycled guardrail. The works clearly convey the influence of the early modern art movement, De Stijl – an abstract, pared-down aesthetic with basic visual elements such as geometric forms and primary colors –but Gillis adds to them a contemporary sensibility. Her combination of reflective surfaces and thoughtful order brings the viewer a new sense of form and reflected space. I will also be showing a work that will definitely be a surprise for you, a work created by patterns of rectangles made of recycled guardrails ordered into a grid. It reflects many of the innovations and themes of the other works of this exhibition. As you study the details of this remarkable piece, its patterns keep every- thing in motion and as your eye moves around its varied visual world, along the black bands of its structure, into the bright primary colors and whites that frame its ordered edges, it creates its own thoughtful energies. Simple and powerful, confidently modern, these works took Gillis many years of experimentation and hard work before she was ready to create them.
Kristina Oss Director, K.OSS Contemporary Art
My work historically shows a balance of movement versus stasis, usually gestures anchored by simple geometry. Here, color plays a bigger part in the movement. Using tools from our fast-paced culture as a means of respite from that culture I’ve created this series of works; positive, happy and playful; seemingly simple. Recycled highway guardrail comes at us with obvious reference to its past. Now, fertile with symbolism as presented out of context. I love the 3-dimensional, tactile nature of these robust elements bursting off the wall. What of illusion? As the ancient Romans plundered other lands they brought home the spoils of war. This “spolia” as it is called, became part of Roman culture – an obelisk from Egypt on top of a sculpture of an elephant by Bernini stands in the Piazza della Minerva, and so on. Averted Disaster is my “spolia.” Animated with gesture from paper torn and tossed, anchored by color and newly found structure – this spolia lends new waves of strength; it is our rampart.
ARTIST STATEMENT 2018
AVERTED DISASTER / SPOLIA 2016 THERMOSET POLYMER, PAPER ON RECYCLED GUARDRAIL
103 x 103 x 4 inches
AMBIENT CULTURE #1
2013-18
THERMOSET POLYMER ON ALUMINUM, ACRYLIC ON ACRYLIC GLASS, STAINLESS STEEL
40 x 40 inches
AMBIENT CULTURE #2
2013
THERMOSET POLYMER ON ALUMINUM
40 x 40 inches
AMBIENT CULTURE #3
2013
THERMOSET POLYMER ON ALUMINUM, ACRYLIC ON ACRYLIC GLASS, STAINLESS STEEL
40 x 40 inches
AMBIENT CULTURE #4
2013
THERMOSET POLYMER ON ALUMINUM, ACRYLIC ON ACRYLIC GLASS, STAINLESS STEEL
40 x 40 inches
AMBIENT CULTURE #5
2013
THERMOSET POLYMER ON ALUMINUM
40 x 40 inches
AMBIENT CULTURE #6
2013-18
THERMOSET POLYMER ON ALUMINUM, ACRYLIC ON ACRYLIC GLASS, STAINLESS STEEL
40 x 40 inches
IMOLA RED #1
2006
POLYURETHANE ON ALUMINUM, OIL ON PAPER, ACRYLIC ON GLASS
30 x 48 inches
IMOLA RED #2
2006
POLYURETHANE ON ALUMINUM, OIL ON PAPER, ACRYLIC ON GLASS
30 x 48 inches
YOU ARE THE GUARDRAIL
2016
THERMOSET POLYMER ON RECYCLED GUARDRAIL, ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD
30 x 40 x 5 inches
SUNSET DRIVE
2016
THERMOSET POLYMER ON RECYCLED GUARDRAIL, ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD
30 x 40 x 5 inches
OFF ROAD
2016
THERMOSET POLYMER, ACRYLIC ON PAPER ON RECYCLED GUARDRAIL, ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD
30 x 40 x 5 inches
ABOUT YELLOW
2018
THERMOSET POLYMER, ACRYLIC, PAPER ON RECYCLED GUARDRAIL ON CLAYBOARD
12 x 12 x 5 inches
PREVAIL
2018
THERMOSET POLYMER, ACRYLIC, PAPER ON RECYCLED GUARDRAIL ON CLAYBOARD
12 x 12 x 5 inches
METTLESOME
2018
THERMOSET POLYMER, ACRYLIC, PAPER ON RECYCLED GUARDRAIL ON CLAYBOARD
12 x 12 x 5 inches
MEADOWLARK
2018
THERMOSET POLYMER, ACRYLIC, PAPER ON RECYCLED GUARDRAIL ON CLAYBOARD
12 x 12 x 5 inches
EDUCATION New York University, New York, New York. M.A. degree, 1979 Study in Venice, Italy; studio art and art history program of New York University, Palazzo Grassi, 1977-78 Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York. B.F.A. degree with honors, 1974 DISTINCTION Visiting Artist, American Academy in Rome, 2016 AWARDS Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant for Painting, 1985 National Scholastic Art Scholarship, Pratt Institute, 1970 SCULPTURE COMMISSIONS Longest Stream, 2002, polished stainless steel, 14’H x 6’W x 5’D Commissioned by the City of Grandville, Michigan. Business district, exterior. Kalamazoo, 2002, etched painted glass, granite, water jets, fiber optic lights, 153”H x 132” W x 132”D Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lobby installation. World Map, 2001, powder-coated steel, 16’H x 28’W Central Wesleyan Church, Holland, Michigan. Grand Hall installation. Vessel of Life, 1999, painted steel, 120” x 48” x 48" Women & Children’s Center; Pathfinder Resources, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Exterior installation. Ascent to Victory, 1998, painted steel, 126” x 60” x 48" RDV Sportsplex (practice facility, etc., for Orlando Magic NBA basketball team, WNBA team and Solar Bears hockey team) Orlando, Florida. Main entrance hallway installation. Flow Chart I, Flow Chart II, 1997, painted aluminum wall sculptures, 32” x 96" ea. Baan, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Lobby installation. Sculpture Garden IV, 1996, painted steel, 66” x 27” x 24" McDermott Will & Emery, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY. Lobby installation.
EXHIBITIONS 2018
K.OSS Contemporary Art, Detroit, Michigan Metalscapes
2016-18
Mary Gillis Studio + Gallery, Lansing, Michigan Paintings, Sculpture, Prints, Drawings, Mixed Media
2016
Wheaton’s Gallery, Mason, Michigan Paintings, Sculpture, Mixed Media
2013-14
Maurer Gallery, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico American in Cabo Series, Paintings on aluminum
2014
The Runway, Lansing, Michigan Paintings, Mixed Media
2013
Mary Gillis Studio + Gallery, Mason, Michigan Paintings, Sculpture, Prints, Drawings, Mixed Media
2012
Greater Lansing Housing Coalition, Lansing, Michigan Painting, Sculpture, Prints
2011
Mary Gillis Studio + Gallery, Williamston, Michigan Paintings, Sculpture, Prints, Drawings, Mixed Media
2009
DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan ArtPrize, Great Lakes Series, paintings on aluminum
2007, 06
Cameron Scott Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan Paintings and Sculpture
2006
Cameron Scott Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan Rolls Royce and Bentley, a Celebration of Art and Auto
2004
District Arts Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan Mary Gillis and Ellen Firestone
2002
Gensler, New York, New York Paintings on Aluminum, Monotypes
2001
Burnaby Gallery, Hamilton, Bermuda New Works Featuring Mary Gillis & Paul Doughty Paintings on Aluminum and Monotypes
2000
Hill Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan Particular Vision; Mary Gillis, Carol Hepper, Heather McGill, Michael Flomen, Dennis Oppenheim, Katy Schimert, G. Goldberg, Donald Lipski
1998
Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan Regional; Invitational
1997
Posner Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan Gallery Artists; January 1997
1997
Yeary von Tol Designers, Grand Rapids, Michigan Paintings, Drawings and Sculptures
1996
Frederik MeÄłer Gardens, Grand Rapids, Michigan Dinosaur Sculptures
1996
Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon Michigan Tornado Watch!; Invitational
1996
Frederik MeÄłer Gardens, Grand Rapids, Michigan Prehistoric Plants and Other Critters; dinosaur sculptures
1996
Van Andel Museum Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan Yikes!!! They're Back; dinosaur sculptures
1996
Posner Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan Sculptures and works on paper
1996
University of Michigan-Dearborn, Mardigian Library, Dearborn, Michigan Selected Works; Mary Gillis, Karen Klein, Jennifer Reeves
1995
Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Michigan Regional 68
1995
Alexa Lee Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan Sculptures and Paintings
1995
The Edge Gallery, Pontiac, Michigan The Vitrier Series
1995
E III Gallery, Grand Rapids, Michigan Paintings, Sculptures, Mixed Media
1994
Alexa Lee Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan Sculptures and Paintings
1994, 95, 96 Perimeter Gallery, Chicago, Illinois Sculptures and Paintings
1994
University of Michigan-Dearborn, Mardigian Library, Dearborn, Michigan Contemporary American Works of Art on Paper; Mary Gillis, Ida Applebroog, Jennifer Bartlett, VÄła Celmins, Leslie Dill, Jim Dine, Jasper Johns, Alex Katz, Robert Stackhouse, Frank Stella, William Wegman
1993
Cilla Scott Design, Royal Oak, Michigan Selected Works
1992, 93
R.H. Love Contemporary, Chicago, Illinois Gallery Artists, 3-Dimensional Collage
1991, 92
Lemberg Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan Gallery Artists, 3-Dimensional Collage
1988, 89
Shea & Beker Gallery, New York, New York Invitational, Works on Paper; Mary Gillis, Sol Lewitt, John Walker, etc.
1988
Germans van Eck Gallery, New York, New York Gallery Artists; Mary Gillis, Bard Breivik, Broto, Chris Costan, Heide Fasnacht, Jan Hafstrom, Michael Hardesty, Susan Laufer, Donald Lipski, Clinton Storm
1988
Germans van Eck Gallery, New York, New York Paintings
1988
Chicago International Art Exposition, Chicago, Illinois German van Eck Gallery Artists, Paintings and Drawings
1981
Semaphore Gallery, New York, New York Gallery Artists, Paintings
1979
O.K. Harris Works of Art, New York, New York Invitational; Mary Gillis, Audry Hirsch, Bruce Brooks, Robert MacBride, James Beatman, Norman Colp, Christian DeBoschnek, Marjorie Orlando, Gerald Wolfe, Kunie Sugiura
1978
Palazzo Grassi, Venice, Italy New York University Painting, Drawing and Sculpture Exhibition
1977
Palazzo Grassi, Venice, Italy New York University Painting, Drawing and Sculpture Exhibition
1978
Segno Gra co, Venice, Italy Lithographs
1975
2719 Gallery, Dallas, Texas Mary Gillis and Gary Barnett, Paintings
1973
Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas, Texas North Texas Painting and Sculpture Exhibition
1973
Pratt Manhattan Center, New York, New York Paintings
SELECT CORPORATE AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS Accident Fund National Headquarters, Michigan Baan International, Inc., Illinois Bank of America, Michigan Central Wesleyan Church, Michigan City of Grandville, Michigan DaimlerChrysler, Michigan Davis Polk and Wardwell, New York D. P. Fox Ventures, Michigan Dykema Gossett, Michigan Genesys Medsports Complex, Michigan Grand Valley State University, Michigan Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Okemos, Michigan Lansing Board of Water and Light, Lansing, Michigan McCabe & Co., New York McDermott Will & Emery, New York Pathfinder Resources, Michigan Power Process Piping, Inc., Michigan Raymond Terry & Assoc., Sussex, England RDV Sportsplex, Florida Technimetrics, New York Triangle Productions, Michigan X-Rite, Inc., Michigan Young & Rubicam Detroit, Michigan
SELECT REVIEWS AND PUBLICATIONS Erickson, Anne: “Art is ‘Intellectual, Sensual’, Artist Profile, Greater Lansing Woman Magazine, March 2011, p. 46, illustrated. Martin, Ken: “D’art Next Door, A look at local mixed-media artists,” cover photo of Mary Gillis and feature article, Signature Magazine, December 2006/January 2007, p. 32, 33, cover, illustrated. Breithaupt, Christy: “The Art of Politics,” feature article, Hour Detroit Magazine, November 2006, p. 41, 42, illustrated. Swoyer, Megan: “wherefore art,” feature article, Style Magazine, p. 22, July/August, 2006, illustrated. Essenburg, Keith: “City Council approves sculpture,” Community News, The Grand Rapids Press, June 27, 2002, illustrated. Holder, Robin; “Modern Minimalism at Burnaby Show,” review, Bermuda Sun, November 23, 2001, illustrated. Holder, Robin; “Eclectic new show at Burnaby Gallery,” review, Bermuda Sun, p. 37, October 16, 2001, illustrated. “On the Arts Scene,” review, The Royal Gazette, Bermuda, Lifestyle section, October 18, 2001, illustrated. Roach Quarterly, Pam; “Mary Gillis,” feature article, Preview Bermuda Magazine, Arts & Culture, p. 29, October 2001, illustrated. Krissoff, Sylvia; "Interpretive Art, New sculpture at Women and Children’s Center takes on various forms," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, May 27, 1999, illustrated. Krissoff, Sylvia; "Sportsplex blends athletics, medicine, art," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday Entertainment section, July 19, 1998, illustrated. Yee, Roger; "Legal Restraint," article about the design of the law offices of McDermott, Will & Emery, New York, featuring photograph of sculpture by Mary Gillis, Contract Design Magazine, May 1998.
Krissoff, Sylvia; "Regional exhibit provides bold exposure," review of 70th annual West Michigan Art Competition at the Muskegon Museum of Art, The Grand Rapids Press, Local A&E section, June 23, 1998 Provenzano, Frank; "Posner Gallery offers works that comfort us," review of group show/gallery artists, Detroit Free Press, Sunday Entertainment section, December 22, 1996. Colborn, Marge; "Tree Options," review of metal table-top trees, The Detroit News, Homestyle, Welcome Mat section, November 30, 1996, illustrated. Chargot, Patricia; "You can really dig dinos at these gardens," review of Prehistoric Plants and Other Critters exhibition at the Frederik MeÄłer Gardens, Detroit Free Press, YAK!, July 1, 1996. Hamilton, Terry Finch; "Monster Veggies," review of Prehistoric Plants and Other Critters exhibition at the Frederik MeÄłer Gardens, The Grand Rapids Press, front page and Flair section, June 27, 1996, illustrated. Chesley, C.L.; "Selected Works: Mary Gillis, Karen Klein, Jennifer Reeves," exhibition catalogue, University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library, February 1996, illustrated. Krissoff, Sylvia; "Design studio presents rooms with a view," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, Flair Weekend section, October 20, 1995, illustrated. Cantu, John Carlos; "At Alexa Lee, art that rewards a 2nd glance," review, The Ann Arbor News, Sunday entertainment section, August 13, 1995, illustrated. Convissor, Kate; "Mary Gillis," article, Grand Rapids Magazine, Preview, p. 48, August 1995, illustrated. Krissoff, Sylvia; "Parade home is gallery for works by area artist; Contemporary paintings are successfully integrated into traditional interior," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, entertainment section, May 29, 1995, illustrated. Krissoff, Sylvia; "Looks can be deceiving," review, The Grand Rapids Press, Sunday entertainment section, January 29, 1995, illustrated.
DeVries, Cherilyn; "Local artist's work communicates in many ways," article, East Grand Rapids Cadence, Advance Newspapers, entertainment section, January 11, 1995, illustrated. Krissoff, Sylvia; "Abstractionist opens EIII studio and gallery," feature article, The Grand Rapids Press, entertainment section, December 29, 1994, illustrated. Cantu, John Carlos; "New York artist's show 'a purist's delight'," review, The Ann Arbor News, November 27, 1994, illustrated. Bolling, G. Fredric; "Mary Gillis, New Paintings and Sculptures," exhibition catalogue, Alexa Lee Gallery, November 1994, illustrated. Bolling, G. Fredric; "Contemporary American Works of Art on Paper," exhibition catalogue, University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library, November 1994, illustrated.
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marygillis.com
K.OSS CONTEMPORARY ART 1410Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207
Friday Saturday
11 am - 5:30 pm 11 am - 4 pm
Weekdays by appointment t: 248-599.2232 info@kossgallery.com
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