Wells Chandler: Artist Talk

Bio: 

Wells Chandler (he/him) is a Bronx-based artist who explores ecology, gender, and queer iconography through the mediums of crochet, embroidery, drawing, and cake.  He received his M.F.A. from Yale University where he was awarded the Ralph Mayer Prize for proficiency in materials and techniques.  From 2016–17 he was a recipient of the Sharpe Walentas Studio Program. Recent solo exhibitions include  Soloway (Brooklyn, New York), Andrew Rafacz (Chicago, Illinois), Diablo Rosso (Panama City, Panama), and Galerie Eric Mouchet (Paris, France).  His work has been reviewed by Roxane Gay, Art Forum, The New York Times, Hyperallergic, The Huffington Post, TimeOut, Modern Painters, Maake Magazine, Two Coats of Paint, and AEQAI. Chandler is a Visiting Assistant Professor at SUNY Purchase and a Soloway gallery member.

Abstract:

Wells Chandler will give a talk about his work, influences, and life. Informed by queer and feminist craft histories, folk art, and psychedelic thinkers from the 1970s, Chandler distills form until it functions iconographically. Installed as a whole, his crocheted environments explore themes of community, belonging, and the numinous.

 Wells Chandler is the Spring 2023 Teiger Mentor in the Arts.