Joseph Olisaemeka Wilson, "Wali's Farm" opening today at Derek Eller Gallery
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Wednesday, November 6, 2024


Joseph Olisaemeka Wilson, "Wali's Farm" opening today at Derek Eller Gallery
Joseph Olisaemeka Wilson (b. 1999), Chicken skittle, 2023. Oil on canvas, 11 x 14 in.



NEW YORK, NY.- Derek Eller Gallery is now opening Wali’s Farm, a solo exhibition of new works by Joseph Olisaemeka Wilson. Wilson has been conceiving and dreaming of the farm and its extended systems, storylines, characters, and history for several years, thoroughly steeping its mythical and dreamy state in reality (despite having little to no knowledge of farming ecosystems). Central to the ethos of Wali's Farm is the suspension of disbelief–both on the part of the viewer and the artist–whereby one can submit oneself to the poetic faith of fiction and metafictional painting. Interpretations and revelations become infinite as one is immersed in the visual folktales; repetition and multiple perspectives diversify the viewpoints of the farm. Wilson invites the viewer to take an active role in mending the fields, herding the animals, collecting herbs, and rejoicing in the humble yet historic patch of land that constitutes Wali’s mind.

Wali’s Prophetic Dream

Out past the sunny clearing in the Maine woods where Thoreau stuck his shovel in the ground, across the sea from where Steve mined his first diamond, we are down at the end of the line. The old farmer-labor train’s gone and whistling ‘round the bend—That mighty train rolls with dutiful intention, with something called true grit, ever heard of it? She’s come all the way from the Texacana plains to the blue ridge mountain, and she’s wearing down the track. bringing in the Georgia Mail.

Wali sits by the well, whispering to himself a sad song which I don’t remember the title of but I know it is by Rihanna, she’s so convincing in the way she sings her popular songs. Love and death have told their story into his ear before, and they will again. Memories of Susanna May, from that Side of the Bay, a love with no past; her thick black braided hair and brown eyes which saw all of Wali. He recalled Memories of his early youth, wherein he witnessed the race between the tortoise and the hare, as well as testimonies from the stump orator (oh, how persuasive he was in his way of speaking to a group of people from his elevated platform).




These days at present are filled with quiet, thankless, dignified work.Trials of thought. Repetition, cycles of the moon, water and the seasons. Months turn and turn again to years which weave themselves into the quilted tapestry of Wali’s memory.

Wali took three absolutely massive hits from his pipe of psychoactive dried herbs, and instantly recalled an image by Millet of a shepherd and his flock which he had seen before and had always bewildered him. The soft dusty light, and the shadowy figure hunched over with his crook, the farm in the distance, were all very curious to Wali. Even the dry field in which the shepherd stood seemed notably familiar. Everything about this painting by Millet was, in a way, quite mundane and unremarkable. But Wali had decided that it was not just a vague familiarity which made his mind tingle, but an acute sense of identity. It was impossible for Millet to have painted this picture without knowing of Wali’s existence, as every aspect of the image was exactly as it appeared in Wali’s life. And the central figure was, obviously, Wali. This frightened Wali immensely because Jean Françoise Millet lived and died some time before he was born, and lived very far away. - Joseph Olisaemeka Wilson, 2023

Joseph Olisaemeka Wilson (b. 1999, Los Angeles, CA) has lived and worked in New York since 2017. Recent solo exhibitions include Tiwani Contemporary in London and Fergus McCaffrey in St. Barth. His work has been included in group shows at Palo Gallery, New York, Fergus McCaffrey, Tokyo, and Spazio Amanita Gallery, New York. Wilson’s work is currently on view at the Asia Art Center in Taipei for his solo exhibition A Witness to the Rub. Wilson has an upcoming residency with Tiwani Contemporary and Guest Artists Space in Lagos, Nigeria during Fall 2023 and an upcoming solo exhibition with Vielmetter Los Angeles in January 2023. This will be his second exhibition with the gallery.

Derek Eller Gallery
JOSEPH OLISAEMEKA WILSON
July 6th, 2023 - August 24th, 2023

Opening Reception: Thursday, July 6, 6–8 pm










Today's News

July 6, 2023

Criticism of jewelry sale with Nazi shadow trails Christie's

Hamiltons celebrates the centenary of Richard Avedon's birth with exhibition

Kunsthaus Zürich presents 'Marcel Broodthaers - Museum'

'Lauren Quin: Salon Real' is now on view at Blum & Poe

Renowned Star Wars collector John Azarian brings his trophies to Heritage on July 29

Nationalmuseum acquires silverwork by Anna Atterling

RR Auction's Revolutionary War Collection takes center stage in July Fine Autographs and Artifacts Sale

David Adjaye relinquishes roles after reported accusations of misconduct

Berry Campbell opens 'Susan Vecsey: Day and Night'

Joseph Olisaemeka Wilson, "Wali's Farm" opening today at Derek Eller Gallery

John Hansard Gallery announces solo exhibitions with Ayo Akingbade and Billie Zangewa

Joel Magee Disneyland Collection is hitting the auction block - largest Disneyana Collection needs own building

One of the most significant exhibitions of contemporary Chicano art opening at Veranos de la Villa Festival

'Speaking Back: Decolonizing Nordic Narratives' currently on view at Kunsthaus Hamburg

Royal Scottish Academy currently showing three summer exhibitions

Americas Society: first U.S. solo exhibition of Chilean artist Sylvia Palacios Whitman

GR gallery opens an exhibition of works by Ai☆Madonna

Soft Focus: Jessica Cannon, Parmen Daushvili, Tamo Jugeli, Carrie Rudd at Polina Berlin Gallery

Conceptual artist and pioneer of critical feminism Martha Rosler presents selection of major artwork at the Schirn

Her symphony reclaims an ancestral story, and classical music

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Heritage Auctions for a wonderful 'Wizard of Oz' event

'Nellie Fedchun: A Tribute to Significant Form' opens at the Ukrainian Institute of America

'Artists in a Time of War' on view at Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea through November

Cork Street Galleries in partnership with Serpentine announces @houseofdgf

The Eco-friendly, Health Conscious Choice - Soy Wax Candles

Celebrating with Tedbet Casino Japan: Unraveling the Birthday Bonus Bonanza

CBD Vape: A Comprehensive Overview of Its Uses and Effects

How to Use Essential Oils in Candle Making: What You Need to Know




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful