By the Letter

The David B. Smith Gallery will be loaded with talent tonight as it unveils Joel Swanson’s XYZ, which explores the artist’s continuing fascination with the art and symbolism of text. Swanson’s obsessive drawings of endless ampersands — similar to the entire wall of 25,000 of them that he drew in...

By Susan Froyd

October 2, 2014

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The David B. Smith Gallery will be loaded with talent tonight as it unveils Joel Swanson’s XYZ, which explores the artist’s continuing fascination with the art and symbolism of text. Swanson’s obsessive drawings of endless ampersands — similar to the entire wall of 25,000 of them that he drew in a five-day effort for his solo at MCA Denver earlier this year — will make a repeat performance here in new work.

The versatile artist’s wordplay will also include a neon piece, “NO/NOT/NOTHING,” stunningly set against a black wall, as well as custom wallpaper and sculptures. Also in the gallery: Ternion, a small group show of process-oriented works by David McDonald, Bruce Price and April Street. (Ternion refers to a triad.)

XYZ and Ternion both open with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. and will be on view through October 11 at David B. Smith Gallery, 1543A Wazee Street. For more information, go to davidbsmithgallery.com or call 303-893-4234. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday.
Tuesdays-Saturdays. Starts: Sept. 20. Continues through Oct. 11, 2014

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

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