william carroll

nyc paintings on paper

november 15 – december 21, 2007

reception: thursday november 15, 6-8 pm

The Elizabeth Harris Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition titled nyc paintings on paper by William Carroll. This exhibition will be his first with the gallery.

The images in this show derive from long hikes through the boroughs of NewYork City . Using memo pads and a black pen, Carroll makes many quick line drawings while on these extensive walks (i.e. Coney Island to the East Village ). These drawings are the point of departure for these small black and white acrylics on paper that document his experience of moving through the urban environment. They focus on the feeling of space, the density and juxtaposition of buildings (old, new, tall, small, plain and ornate), and the abrupt changes in scale that are specific to New York City . Light's transformation of the cityscape is evoked through Carroll's subtle tonal language.

Mr. Carroll will also exhibit two large color acrylics representing single buildings. These works are simplified silhouettes which suggest folk art icons in pastel hues.

Three artists who have inspired Mr. Carroll's work are: Georges Seurat (the drawings), Hamish Fulton (the walk is the art), and John Coplans (that he began his photos at 62).

William Carroll was born in the Bronx, raised on Long Island, got his BFA from Pratt Institute, and spent the 70's in San Francisco. He has worked in the New York art world for over twenty five yeas: at the Dia Art Foundation, The Brooklyn Museum, Charles Cowles Gallery, Elizabeth Harris Gallery , and currently at the Nancy Graves Foundation. He is also teaching a class, “Theory, Practice, and Career”, at Parsons. Last May he received his MFA from Queens College . This body of work is the first he has exhibited since 1987, when his work was included in an exhibition at Art in General.

The Gallery is located at 529 West 20th Street , 6 th floor, and is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 – 6 pm. There will be a reception for the artist on Thursday, October 11, from 6-8 pm. 

For further information contact Miles Manning at 212 463-9666.