Details:
① Artwork:
Voice on the Left, Voice on the Right
This painting's central image is a figure-like knot of snaking forms covered in cilia—all orbited by collaged text bubbles containing the word “voices.” Some of the collaged oblong bits are actually skateboard grip tape. This work is a continuation of the artist’s ongoing series that brings together biomorphic shapes suspended in aquatic or microscopic worlds.
Metz’s paintings explore the complexity of existence: the cellular to the astronomical; the terrestrial to the aquatic; and all the nooks and crannies in between. Many of the artist’s works feature words and short phrases that add humor to the composition. Tiny texts are often embedded within odd-shaped forms such as cells and squiggles. Sometimes the words are so small that at first glance the viewer might mistake them for thready bits of organic material. Metz's works have richly painted surfaces, and the artist adds to their depth of field with collage elements that interact with the painted grounds. The artist’s paintings often hold secret surprises—including extemporaneous and process-oriented sketches in paint and other media on the reverse side of the work.
Specs:
③ Artist:
Combining collage elements with richly painted surfaces, Molly Metz’s paintings explore the complexity of existence—from the cellular to the astronomical and the terrestrial to the aquatic, as well as the nooks and crannies in-between. The artist frequently employs humorous words and short phrases in her works, tiny texts she embeds within odd-shaped forms such as cells and squiggles. Metz’s paintings often hold secret surprises, including extemporaneous and process-oriented sketches on their reverse sides.
BIO:
Molly Metz was born in 1992. The artist received an MFA from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a BA from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.
Solo exhibitions of Metz’s work include: Close Closer at Fleisher/Ollman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2021); and a show at Day Space in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2017).
Group exhibitions that have included Metz’s work have taken place at: Fjord in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2020); Pilot Projects in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2019); the Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2016); Space 1026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2016); and YUI Gallery in New York City (2017).
Metz lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.