Repetitive and incongruous patterns fill the industrial size paintings of American contemporary artist Jason Williams, a.k.a., REVOK. His new exhibition of works at the Allouche Gallery are certainly boisterous in their appearance, but rather obscure in their content. The paintings in _systems_cont reveal the artist to be less concerned with what he’s creating, and more with how he's created them. After a long career as a graffiti artist, REVOK is now repurposing the tools he once used and applying them to his process as a fine art painter. He’s refurbished things like spray cans, markers, and handmade rollers, turning them into unique tools for a different kind of art making.
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Kundalini Loop Large Sq Square Off center Blue/Red, 2016, Synthetic polymer and oil enamel on canvas, 96 x 96 in.
In his series of Instrument Exercises for example, REVOK created gridded patterns by simultaneously maneuvering a group of eight spray paint cans using a custom made applicator. His Self Portrait works are actually weathered drop cloths that used to lay on the floor of his studio. After spending years on the ground absorbing different colors and patterns, the artist has hung them on the wall as a physical representation of his process—a creative reflection of his work over time. In his Loop paintings, REVOK wrapped up a paint roller with different kinds of tape, depending on the composition. When the roller then gets applied to the canvas, the tape slides off, creating interesting patterns. Check out more images from _systems_cont below:
Instrument Exercise 2 Blk-Yel, 2016, Acrylic and synthetic polymer on canvas, 72 x 60 in.
Selfportrait 1 Aug Vov, 2016, Synthetic polymer and oil enamel on linen drop cloth mounted to canvas, 96 x 72 in.
D2.3, 2016, Synthetic polymer and oil enamel on birch and MDF, 48 x 48 in.
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