Populated with hybrid characters, Will Thurman’s paintings reflect a disorienting state of existence; the deluge of storylines makes it difficult to tell which way is up. Thurman sends us tumbling through a parallel universe not quite distinct from ours, where the comedic blends with the downright bleak and sadistic. Many of his canvases contain paintings within paintings — mise en abyme that draw attention to the plethora of lenses through which a single story can be told — and retold, and retold. Thurman is meticulous in his expression; for the artist painting is disciplined, routine labor. Yet despite such control over his own practice, his artworks offer a singular freedom: to place oneself within his scenes, navigate the topsy-turvy landscape, and intervene in their happenings.
Will Thurman (born 1989, New York) received his academic training at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison in the U.S. After completing his studies in 2009, he moved to Vietnam and worked as a reporter for a local crime tabloid sometimes taking assignments in Cambodia where he also boxed semi-professionally. For over a decade, Vietnam was home to the artist.
Thurman is currently based in Tallinn, Estonia. ...
