LANCE LETSCHER | UNTROUBLED MIND

LANCE LETSCHER

18 FEBRUARY — 6 APRIL 2017

LANCE LETSCHER Untroubled Mind

TAYLOE PIGGOTT GALLERY 62 SOUTH GLENWOOD STREET JACKSON HOLE WYOMING TEL 307 733 0555 TAYLOEPIGGOTTGALLERY.COM

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Preface At the ever-roiling core of Lance Letscher’s most recent series is a classic dichotomy: each piece harbors an equal fancy for found images both macabre and innocent, those near-death and others vitally alive. Developed over several years in his Austin home, these idiosyncratic assemblages reiterate Letscher’s renowned focus, all while embracing a mischievous new chaos that colors the entirety of the exhibition. Under his surgical Exact-o knife, a surfeit of paper detritus – forks, shoes, rockets, mules – spread across planes in ruminative whirlpools, while technophilic motorcycle helmets tell tales of religious vigor. With the Untroubled Mind, Letscher cements his legacy as one of the most singular artists in America.

In a statement on the forthcoming exhibition, Letscher said: “In my work, I am primarily interested in the mechanics and phenomenon of creativity and ‘inspiration,’ the daily development of fragmentary and elusive bits of ideas into a more fully formed realization as a work of art. In many ways, the work that I do, the work included in this show for example, is a by-product of this practice.

Agnes Martin referred to this state of inspiration as the ‘untroubled mind.’ In my case, it seems more closely related to working with my hands. Still, this frame of mind – when time seems to pass quickly and things get accomplished – is my real goal as an artist.”

Sean Malin

PASS OUT 48 x 36 in | collage | 2016

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TIME MACHINE 40 x 60 in | collage | 2016

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SNAPPY WITCH 30 x 22 in | collage | 2016

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HAND 52 x 40 in | collage | 2016

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SPARE TIRE 14 x 17 in | collage | 2016

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Orangg Cubes 14 1/4 x 10 7/8 in | collage | 2016

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HOW TO DRAW A DONKEY 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in | collage | 2016

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KING THINKER 40 x 29 in | collage | 2015

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RADIO MAN 31 1/2 x 40 in | collage | 2015

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THE FUTURE 24 1/2 x 18 in | collage | 2016

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PALM READER 24 x 18 in | collage | 2014

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SCRIPT 10 x 7 1/2 in | collage | 2016

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TIME 8 x 10 5/8 in | collage | 2016

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The Passion of Saint Peter Saul 27 3/4 x 17 1/2 | collage | 2013

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ANTENNA 12 x 15 in | collage | 2014

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CHORUS 6 3/4 x 5 in | collage | 2016

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BUSY GIRL 8 1/4 x 9 in | collage | 2015

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TOP HAT 26 x 22 in | collage | 2016

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GOLDEN TOWER 15 x 9 3/4 in | collage | 2016

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TULIP PAINTER 10 3/4 x 8 in | collage | 2016

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THRILLING TO HOLD 20 1/2 x 16 in | collage | 2016

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DRAINS AND FAUCETS 12 1/4 x 15 5/8 in | collage | 2016

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LANCE LETSCHER Lance’s newest body of work is one of contradiction – natural and artificial, rational and bizarre, masculine and feminine. Muted trees clash with neon art deco buildings, vintage catalog items spill from faceless figures and sleek metal faucets juxtapose against delicate petals of roses and blue bonnets. Letscher contrasts the faded pages of antique books and catalogs with vibrant colors in a way that feels at once new and nostalgic.

This collection has a dreamlike quality to it. Letscher layers his materials in intricate patterns, drawing the viewer inward and toying with the rational mind and the subconscious. Much like a dream that you struggle to explain the following morning, Letscher’s work is difficult to precisely articulate, but deeply felt. Upon encountering Letscher’s work, our mind grasps for connections and searches for meaning, but we get the impression it remains just outside our grasp. In his work, Letscher hints at a deeper meaning, but doesn’t offer it too easily. He challenges us to interpret what our minds struggle to understand.

Lance Letscher attended the University of Texas where he received both his Bachelor of Fine Arts and his Master of Fine Arts. He has had solo exhibitions in Texas, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Switzerland and Barcelona. His work is included in both public and private collections around the country, to include the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the McNay Museum of Art in San Antonio and the Austin Museum of Art. Letscher’s work has been reviewed in Art in America, the New York Observer, and Harper’s Magazine, among other publications. A full-length monograph of his work, Lance Letscher: Collage, was published in 2009. He currently lives and works in Austin, Texas.

SIMPLE LINES | 4 x 3 1/4 in | collage | 2016

Published on the occasion of the exhibition at Tayloe Piggott Gallery Featuring Lance Letscher Untroubled Mind © Tayloe Piggott Gallery 48

62 SOUTH GLENWOOD STREET JACKSON HOLE WYOMING TEL 307 733 0555 TAYLOEPIGGOTTGALLERY.COM