Alan Belcher “GIANT”

LMAKgallery

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LMAKgallery presents GIANT, a solo exhibition by Alan Belcher with a suite of new paintings that touch on the American ethos and project an individual’s struggle within capitalism. The exhibition takes its title from the epic motion picture.

Belcher’s conceptual practice is decidedly multi-layered and object orientated. A transparency of vision and simplicity of fabrication with a concentrated regard for materials are hallmarks of his serial productions. In the exhibition, he continues his explorations of production in relation to the generic mode of oil painting. Once again the artist risks a pioneering venture into unproven, untapped territory. These objects are encountered as symbolized vehicles plainly behaving as art objects, rather than expressive or narrative paintings. Worksite canvas tarpaulins are sliced and pieced together in a manner similar to Arte Povera, some featuring repairs in a Boro style. These stretched canvases are hand-painted in black oil with a loaded imagery — determination, investment, patience, risk-taking, capitalism, gambling, prospection, ambition, discovery, desolation, desperation, good fortune, property, underground culture, milkshakes, and a best faith for the future; are all conveyed.

Known for his directness and sharp simplicity when approaching difficult subject matter Belcher’s work has a sense of humor and a reverence for Pop, as well as a hands-on approach.

Alan Belcher’s solo exhibitions have been presented at numerous international venues, including Le Consortium (Dijon), Marlborough Gallery (NYC), greengrassi Gallery (London), Jack Shainman Gallery (NYC), White Columns (NYC), Galerie Daniel Buchholz (Cologne), Margo Leavin Gallery (Los Angeles), as well as Chicago, Hamburg, Toronto, Montréal, Torino, Stockholm, Tokyo, and Milan. His works are held in several public collections including: National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa), Centre Georges Pompidou (Paris), Morris & Helen Belkin Art Gallery at UBC (Vancouver), Musee des Beaux-Arts (Montréal), Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), Chase Manhattan Bank; as well as many private international collections.

Belcher’s work is currently featured in the exhibition Brand New: Art and Commodity in the 1980s curated by Gianni Jetzer at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington DC. This summer his work will be included in Readymade, the opening exhibition in June of the Swiss Institute in New York, curated by Niels Olsen and Fredi Fischli; and this July in the Front Cleveland Triennial, curated by Michelle Grabner. Belcher was co-founder and co-director of Gallery Nature Morte (1982–88) with artist Peter Nagy in New York’s East Village. He lives and works in his hometown of Toronto, Canada.