The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art Presents WANDERLUST, Today

By: Nov. 07, 2014
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Few artists can say they have the title of their upcoming exhibition tattooed on their body. But, for Indianapolis artist Paul Harris, the title: Wanderlust appeared along his collarbone long before he even developed the idea for his show openingNov. 7 at our Fountain Square location, 1043 Virginia Avenue.

Harris has created a new installation that includes antique doll heads, crosses, pine needles, and 3-D collages. Harris hasn't shown his work for nine years. His last solo show happened 13 years ago. iMOCA executive director Shauta Marsh is excited to be hosting Harris's exhibition: "He's one of Indianapolis's most important artists. Not only did he help lay the foundation for the art scene we have today. But, through his work, he offers an experience like no other."

Harris, an Indianapolis native, tends to use religious imagery in his works. In the past, some considered his work to be anti-religion which attracted protestors outside his show One Night Stand. However he explains: "Religious imagery is comforting. I don't know that I am religious but what I like about using it in my work is that everyone brings his/her own baggage or interpretation. It invokes an immediate response."

Harris is a bit of a recluse and very selective about shows and projects. He intended his last show at Rushman Gallery,Different Dreams, Different Promises, in 2005 to be his final exhibit. "When I went to Herron I only wanted to live till I was 40. Then I hit 40 and I said, how about 50. Now I just want to go quickly. I don't care. I decided to have this show because you're only as good as your last barbeque," said Harris, who is now 64.

Harris also explains his unique tattoo and inspiration for the exhibition's title. "Wanderlust is a title my grandmother gave my grandfather when he ran off to another state," says Harris who has designed window displays for Block's department store, taught art at Herron, and created numerous TV commercial sets. "The feeling of the pieces and environment create wanderlust. Wanting things you can't have. I lust for the objects I use in my collages. I am thinking of another place in time. My pieces are like us. We all live in the past but are trying to live in the future."

Wanderlust opens at iMOCA Murphy Art's Center location at 1043 Virginia Avenue on Nov.7 from 6 to 11 p.m. and will run through Jan. 17 with the hours of Thursday to Saturday 12 to 7 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

All our programs and exhibitions are made possible with support from The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts (Wynn Kramarsky Freedom of Artistic Expression Grant), Buckingham, Foundation,The Christel Dehaan Family Foundation, The Glick Fund, The Efroymson Family Fund, Halstead Architects, KEJ Foundation, the Indianapolis Foundation, The Tracy L. Haddad Foundation, The Netherleigh Fund, The City of Indianapolis, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the Murphy Arts L.L.C., Penrod Foundation, and Big Car Art + Design.

Photo Credit: Paul Harris, Waiting For Love But I Can't Get Up, mixed media, 2014


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