Exhibition in December

Weight: a figure drawing series

Artist Wil Bosbyshell explores the
weight of society on individuals using the
figure as metaphor in an exhibition
at the Art Institute of Charlotte

The Art Institute of Charlotte presents an exhibition of figure drawings by Wil Bosbyshell running from December 4, 2010 to January 5, 2011 in the Libby Guinan Gallery. The Art Institute of Charlotte Gallery is open to the public daily from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m.

In the exhibition, Weight, Bosbyshell explores the figure and its role in the context of today’s pressure-cooker society.

Society puts tremendous pressure on its citizens. The pressure to succeed weighs on the public and individuals. There is great pressure to consume as well; we are all pressured by market forces, peer pressure, family obligations, and demanding jobs. Instructors for example, are pressured to be subject experts, industry leaders, class room disciplinarians, administrators, and entertainers. If societal pressures are not enough, we also pressure ourselves to advance in our careers in addition to being perfect children, parents, spouses, friends, etc. In other words, we pressure ourselves to “have it all.”

In the midst of this weight, it is important for art and artistic concepts to maintain a place in society at the conscious and subconscious levels. How can art address the pressure in our lives? How do these demands on me and those around me become art? Does art add to or alleviate the pressure? What metaphor can be used to show the weight on people in society? Who in society carries the most and least weight?

In the series of drawings titled: Weight, Bosbyshell uses the figure as metaphor to explore the weight that society places on us. Through drawing, he attempts to address the above questions, reflecting on our society.

Throughout his career, Bosbyshell has drawn and painted the figure. However, he has never undertaken drawings of this size and scale. The main drawings of the exhibit are six feet in height and three feet wide, drawn with pencil and white charcoal. Each figure supports a rock above her head. Some figures shoulder the weight easily; others look as if the weight will soon crush them. The exhibit also includes Bosbyshell’s preparatory pencil and pastel sketches.

The progress and process of the drawings have been documented in a blog: http://www.bosbyshellart.blogspot.com/. There you can see, through images and discussion of the drawings in progress, Bosbyshell’s thought process, and technique.

Bosbyshell maintains a studio at the Charlotte Art League on the Light Rail Line in Charlotte’s Southend cultural district. He is an associate professor of graphic design at The Art Institute of Charlotte. Bosbyshell is represented by Redsky Gallery in Charlotte, and has exhibited internationally, and throughout the southeastern U.S. His paintings are included in the collections of EnPro Industries and The Vendue Inn in Charleston.

You are invited to visit the exhibition during the month of December.




Directions to the Art Institute of Charlotte: 2110 Water Ridge Parkway:

From Uptown Charlotte: South on I-77. Exit on Tyvola towards the airport (right). Cross south Tryon Street. Turn left on North Stream Blvd at a light. Left on Water Ridge Parkway. At the dead end, left into parking lot. Ai is at the end of the parking lot on the left.

From South Charlotte: North on I-77. Exit on Tyvola towards the airport (left). Cross south Tryon Street. Turn left on North Stream Blvd at a light. Left on Water Ridge Parkway. At the dead end, left into parking lot. Ai is at the end of the parking lot on the left.