09 november 2021, Flor Linckens
Jeff McMillan: “I’m borrowing things, putting things together to come up with new ways of making work”
Until 21 November 21, Kristof De Clercq gallery in Ghent is showing a solo exhibition by the American artist Jeff McMillan, who has been living in London for 23 years now.
The exhibition in Kristof De Clercq gallery shows a number of series from the oeuvre of the American artist. McMillan views his works as three-dimensional objects, rather than paintings or drawings. For his “Biblio” series, he used a variety of art books about influential 20th-century painters, books that shaped him and his practice, and were shipped to London from America. He carefully wrapped these books in paper, after which he dipped them in ink or oil paint. That way, these books become meaningful stamps, which add colour to rice paper and leave a lasting result. McMillan sees these works as an abstract homage to the artist's books. Tate (London) purchased nine works from this series for the museum collection in 2020. You can also find his work in the collections of, among others, Museum Voorlinden, the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester and the San Antonio Museum of Art.
Jeff McMillan, Untitled (H-111), 2019, Kristof De Clercq gallery
In addition, the painter shows a number of works from 2019. These works can rightly be called slow paintings and materiality is central in these pieces. The artist first applies thin layers of oil paint on antique linen. He then installs these works on the exterior of his London studio, often for years. Weather conditions and the infamous London smog allow the works to evolve and offer an element of chance. Over time, the artist bring the works inside, where he finishes them in his studio.
In 2020, the artist spent time in Rome as part of a residency (the Abbey Painting Fellowship). There he was inspired by the architecture of the ancient city and the concept of 'spoglia'. That word is derived from the Italian verb “spogliare”, meaning “to strip”. It refers to the Italian tradition of using ancient elements and recycling them in Renaissance architecture. But elements of spoglia are also reflected in Italian film and dance. McMillan was fascinated by this concept and started incorporating the recycling of old architectural materials in his practice. He went in search of various wood shapes in order to be able to make a series of woodcuts. He found old furniture and pallets, as well as ancient wood in buildings that were being restored. That way, he is able to create works that carry an element of historical and contemporary Rome.
Jeff McMillan, Untitled (H1-05), 2019, Kristof De Clercq gallery
