Nicola Tyson. Works on Paper

About

For Nicola Tyson, drawing is a distinct and generative practice, allowing full imaginative exploration. In her own words: “When I begin to draw, I have no idea what’s going to appear. I work swiftly, to stay just ahead of the cage of language, the linear mind and rational decision-making. I just let the forms grow themselves—self-organize …”.

Nicola Tyson Works on Paper explores a range of works made between 2002 and 2016 from the artist’s sketchbook pages to large graphite drawings and giant, life-sized ink drawings. Included also are a selection of her acrylic paintings on paper, titled “Portrait Heads”. In these, the artist first paints the image directly onto a glass plate, then pressing paper onto it, produces varying textures and besmirched hues. All the works in the show attest to a gestural freedom, capturing moods and moments, both visceral and artificial, intimate and performative, in curious, fluid figurations.

Petzel Gallery, New York, has published an accompanying catalog to this exhibition featuring over seventy-five images. Nicola’s wry humor and sense of playfulness can be seen not only in her work, but also in the essay “Nicola Tyson Interviews Herself,” found at the back of the book. It is a candid examination of Nicola’s influences, processes, and explains her fascination with the word FROCK — “a vacant muse”. This self-conducted interview taps into the tradition of writing and performance that prominently flows through the artist’s diverse practice. A limited edition of the catalog is available which includes a signed linocut “selfie” by the artist.