T.R. Ericsson
Narcissus (Pink Narcissus), 2008

T. R. Ericsson’s first exhibition at SHAHEEN features a group of thirteen drawings delicately rendered in powdered graphite and permeated by the biographical and autobiographical themes that have guided the artist’s sculpture, drawing, video and installation work of recent years. Entitled Narcissus, and bearing a loose thematic relationship to the myth of Narcissus and Echo, the cycle of images depicts the artist traversing a series of complex wooded landscape settings. To create these elaborate and labor intensive drawings, Ericsson converts high-resolution digital photographs into film positives, which are subsequently burned into silkscreens. He then rubs bags (nylon stockings, actually) containing powdered graphite through the mesh, transferring the image from the silkscreen to paper. Intermittently, Ericsson removes the screen and reconfigures the loose medium to pull out detail utilizing erasure, stencils, brushwork, stumping and vacuuming. The attempt to control the passage of medium through the screen, coupled with the repeated movement of the screen precipitates chance visual occurrences and enhances the drawing’s softly focused appearance. Once complete, the screen is destroyed, leaving behind a single, unique drawing. Ultimately, Ericsson’s working process yields rich, velvety surface textures, and exceptionally detailed images that possess material permanence, yet seem precariously close to slipping away. While the drawings derive from Ericsson’s own experiences, the process of their creation and unique materiality enforce the universal range of emotions that the artist seeks to convey.

T.R. Ericsson
Narcissus (Forgiven), 2008

In addition to Narcissus, a concurrent exhibition of Ericsson’s sculpture is on view at The Sculpture Center from November 7th – December 20th (1834 E. 123rd St., Cleveland, OH – 216.229.6527 – sculpturecenter.org). Entitled Thanksgiving, the exhibit features a portrait made in response to personal loss, and obliquely by association and omissions, of the artist himself.

T.R. Ericsson
Narcissus (Echolia), 2008

Ericsson has appeared in solo and group exhibitions in the United States and abroad, among them: Paul Kasmin Gallery, NY; Heidi Cho Gallery, NY; Bronx River Art Center, NY. His work resides in the collections of: Progressive Art Collection; The Cleveland Museum of Art; The Whitney Museum of American Art; The Pfizer Corporate Collection; Museum of Modern Art, NY; JP Morgan Chase Collection; and The Brooklyn Academy of Music, NY. Ericsson maintains studios in his native Concord Township, OH and Brooklyn, NY.

Nov 15 - Dec 20, 2008. Send Email - www.shaheengallery.com