Will Lemon "Am I" @ Fuse Gallery July 11, 2009

Am I
Artwork by William Lemon

Incorporating cut pieces of original Andy Warhol canvases, artist William Lemon produces a body of work that presents art as an alchemical device. Investigating voodoo and its ingredient-based spirituality lead him to explore what modern mysticism can be and how he can create his own spells in the forum he is most comfortable in — art. During his search for the “artistic equivalent of eye of newt” he was exposed to famous works of art left to sit in warehouses and accrue in value. Walking through this “graveyard of art” he secretly cut slivers off the back edge of Warhol canvases. By integrating these fragments into his multimedia collages, he gives the entombed art life again and proffers a metaphor for the coveting and commercialization of art and objects. In combining the appropriated canvases with his own visual symbolism, he creates personal spells and wishes of mental health, a good home and universal communication.

Further exploring his conceptual modern mysticism through icons, symbols and objects, Lemon constructs a self-portrait installation of sand and prosthetics, a free hanging found bone sculpture and an array of rich and colorful imagery in tapestries, prints and drawings. His video "Mouton Amour" features the artist in a sheep mask making love to sheep sculptures by François-Xavier Lalanne.

William Lemon never went to art school. He works in a variety of artistic expressions including prints, tapestries, collage, sculpture, body painting, fashion, installation and music. Lemon has composed, "Moon & Moon: VII Acts of an Iron King" a multi-media seven act about leaving religion and looking for clarity. “Am I” is his first solo show in New York City.

“Am I,” artwork by William Lemon runs July 11 through August 8, 2009, at Fuse Gallery, 93 2nd Ave (between 5th & 6th Sts, 2nd Ave stop on the F), NYC, NY. The opening reception, on Saturday July 11th, from 7 to 10 pm, is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Fuse Gallery at 212.777.7988 or [email protected]