May 14 – July 16, 2011

Opening reception: May 14, 2011

Artist Talk: 7 pm

Lora Reynolds Gallery is pleased to present ‘So it goes,' our second solo exhibition of work by British artist, Susan Collis.

Susan Collis' first show with the gallery in 2008, appropriately inaugurated the new space with works that appeared to be part of the construction - screws and holes left in the walls, a paint splattered broom and painter's coveralls waiting to be put to use again. The precious metals and gems and intricate embroidery that gave the works their trompe l'oeil effect were not apparent upon first look. For ‘So it goes,' Collis continues to redefine our sense of what is precious and what is not - all the while playfully bringing attention to the process of art making itself.

From afar, Anything really, mimics the crosshatches of a gray, Jasper Johns. What appears to be a two-dimensional, abstract composition is up-close thousands of encased and stacked pencil leads. The inherent luster and dimension of the lead causes the composition to shift subtly with the viewer's gaze. Here Collis investigates making an image with drawing materials in an unconventional way and pushes Anything really, to exist at an intersection between the archetypes of drawing and sculpture.

While Anything really only references the time spent on a well-worked drawing, On second thoughts tries to mask the hours of labor spent on making this sculpture appear as a cast-off. Resting on the gallery floor it looks as if pieces of paper were crumpled and hurriedly tossed from the reception desk. Yet these balled up sheets of paper feature Collis' tight system of chiaroscuro drawing. Where the creases of paper meet, the abstract graphite lines become extremely dense. Likewise, the uncrumpled and creased planes of the paper show a lighter application of graphite. Collis, in effect, enhances the dark and light tones that the paper form while at the same time creating an abstract drawing.

There is a laborious process of drawing, sculpting, casting, and carving to Collis' objects that quietly beckons the viewer to question what they see. It is upon a second, third or fourth look, that we can begin to experience the world as Collis does.

Susan Collis was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. She currently lives and works in London. Collis was most recently commissioned by the Armory Show to create the visual identity of the 2010 fair. Her work has been shown in numerous exhibitions internationally including ‘Out of the Ordinary' at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and is in many collections including the Israel Museum and the Paul Smith collection.

‘So it goes' will be on view at Lora Reynolds Gallery, 360 Nueces, Suite 50, Austin, Texas Through July 16, 2011. Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Images may be viewed on our website at www.lorareynolds.com.

For further information please contact Elizabeth Spheeris at 512-215-4965 or info@lorareynolds.com.

Upcoming at the gallery: Colby Bird opening September 17, 2011.