“Why the Hell not?” Tanner Wilson ponders the eternal question in his latest body of work on display at the boutique gallery, Fancy and Staple. Why indeed? Cartoon icons float on cotton candy colored backgrounds, utterly devoid of rendering or, if you believe Tanner’s own words, meaning. Inspired by random words, sentences and images, it is apparent that Mr. Wilson is not just in the midst of a post-graduate rejection of ART-SCHOOL gestalt, but rather, is actively tapping into a deep wellspring of pre-loaded, potent images.
This is Tanner’s Fort Wayne solo debut. He grew up in the Fort Wayne Area and attended St. Francis but has since relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. This show is a homecoming of sorts. Friends, family and even strangers filled the small reception. Many laid their money down to own a piece of /by Tanner Wilson. The night was a success.
A painting called “Younger Days” shows a disembodied tiger’s head floating suspended in perfect azure. Tiny bubbles escape to the surface while a straight razor drifts down in tandem. The eyes are open and staring, uncomprehending as the blood flows in the red ribbons of a sunburst, wreathing the face. The tiger would like to look away, but there is nothing left to do but watch as the last bits of consciousness recede. He is carried inexorably to the bottom. Happy Mother’s Day.
This show runs April 25th to July 2nd, 2016. For more information about sales of Tanner’s work, please contact the Fancy and Staple Gallery at (260) 422-2710.
Josef Zimmerman 