"Boxing Day" by Samuel Proof

Fig 1 Photo by Aimee Hornberger (click for larger view)

Four years ago we did an interview with David Wilson, at the time he'd made his way from Philadelphia, to Syracuse and hop scotched across the country to Seattle and Santa Cruz. About 16 months ago he made the big transition to Los Angeles, and when I came to visit him in his itty bitty 1 bedroom apartment he had something marvelous to show me. It was a new series of paintings, and at the time it was just in the beginning stages, there were maybe four, then a week later maybe a dozen little one by one foot canvas of itty bitty people living in their own single room canvas apartments.

Hence the Box series began. June 24th at the prestigious Regency Club Penthouse, the work in progress now contained 96+ one foot by one foot paintings and half a dozen larger canvas'. The 'Box Series' spans a wall about 8 feet high and stretching about 14 feet long, as a piece title 'Queen of the Box'. It is now no longer a bunch of random images with a common theme, but several little pieces that become one larger work. Behind it all the Queen of the box stands. She is the central image that spans some 15 or so of the smaller canvases. Curtains, and fabric from different boxes make up her dress and she watches over the little people who look to her for guidance over their own little box.

Fig 2 Photo by Aimee Hornberger (click for larger view)

As David's first show in Los Angeles, this one time night of art is truly impressive with fellow artists Nate Seubert, Luis Sanchez, Skye Ray, Mike Russek and Wayne Fidler (who has done a collaborative video installment for the show) showing their support. Representatives from the Broad Foundation, and Christine Argillet Gallery Make appearances to check out the artists work, new and a smattering of the old.

The Box itself makes an appearance and invites the black tie guests to take a trip into itty bitty single apartment world of their own. A few other more care free ones do just that.

The event catered with gourmet hors d'oeuvre of mini chicken empinadas, mini egg rolls, and thinly cut proscutto with melon, was a treat for the pallet as well as the soul. The mini deserts that walk around are Tiramisu, Flaky Napoleons and The richest little chocolate mousse cakes ever.

Sadly this show was a one day private event for club members and we can't encourage you to take a look at this awe inspiring collective of work, yet. We can tell you that since the Box painting is still in progress there will have to be another show for it in the future, and you should go to that one... or build a time machine and find your way into getting exclusive membership at the Regency Club.

David Wilson will have a piece on display at the transport galleries 'x1' show August 7th and there are talks of a group show with Nate Seubert, Helen Garber and Luis Sanchez sometime in January or February of 2005 (also at transport).

Boxing Day.

June 24th, 2004

by Samuel Proof