Wardell Milan (US)
Wardell Milan’s work explores the absurdity of politics, sociopolitical structures, power dynamics and spectatorship of one’s personal existence. In a series of black and white etchings, Milan has used images from the news or magazines as reference points for his compositions, which are executed on copper plates. The result is a series of prints that have evolved between 2019 and 2022, employing a range of time-honoured printmaking techniques which use a range of grey tones, patterns and line work to create decidedly contemporary, politically charged visual narratives. Most recently, Milan’s multi-layered pictorial space has unfolded in a series of large-scale prints showing human bodies immersed in nature, which will soon be published with BORCH Editions.
Wardell Milan (b. 1977, Knoxville; US) received his BFA in photography from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his MFA in Photography from Yale University. His work investigates topics like identity, gender performance, as well as social and political structures. His practice includes large-scale figurative drawing, painting, photography and collage, using material from a wide variety of sources. Milan effortlessly translates his drawing skills into detailed, masterfully crafted etchings, combining his old-masterly drawing skill with his experience in the medium of collage.
November 25, 2018 (part of the portfolio 'The Balcony')
Etching
2019
Courtesy of the artist and BORCH Editions
The Priest. The Shooter. The Flag (part of the portfolio 'The Balcony')
Etching
2019
Courtesy of the artist and BORCH Editions
I never spend this much time with myself (part of the portfolio 'The Balcony: The World is Made of Eggs')
Etching
2022
Courtesy of the artist and BORCH Editions
Sisyphus Ascending a Staircase (part of the portfolio 'The Balcony: The World is Made of Eggs')
Etching
2022
Courtesy of the artist and BORCH Editions