HWY 90 Gallery to Show New Work by Tad Wiley

Recent paintings by New York-based artist Tad Wiley will be on display at HWY 90 Gallery in Marfa from March 4 through May 27 2006. A reception for the artist will be held on Friday evening, April 21. Wiley’s work is composed of abstract, geometric forms that evoke the austere power of iconic architectural edifices. Each image is suffused with an evanescent quality of light created by the application of many layers of translucent color applied to a smooth surface. The paintings are animated by the tension between the stark geometric shapes and the shimmering depth of the layers of color.

“As far as inspiration, my thinking is usually influenced by my environment and, more specifically, the effects of natural phenomena on everyday objects, where a situation of stasis and flux may occur simultaneously.”

Wiley has been the recipient of fellowships from both the Pollack/Krasner Foundation and the Edward Albee Foundation. His work has been included in numerous solo and group exhibitions in New York and Los Angeles, and is included in private and corporate collections in the United States, Europe and Japan. He first visited Marfa in 1996. “Having worked with Dia Art Foundation and many of its artists from 1979-1985, I wanted to see the Judd and Chamberlain installations in this unique setting,” said Wiley. “To a greater extent, the Southwest landscape has always interested me, with its sense of scale and isolation. Marfa seems to have a combination of elements that make it an appealing place to show my work. I like the openness in both attitude and geography, and because of Marfa's relative newness as an art-based community, there is a lot of genuine excitement directed toward new people and projects.”

HWY 90 Gallery, which opened in 2005, is located in a storefront that was recently renovated by Marfa mayor David Lanman. The gallery is located across the street from Donald Judd’s private residence (commonly called the Block).