MONTPELIER – “Phil Knoll Saves the World,” a collection of ballpoint pen drawings on paper by artist Phil Knoll, is on view from October 3 through November 14, at the Hexum Gallery, with an opening reception for the artist on Friday, October 3, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Knoll thrives on the seemingly impossible challenges he sets for himself, most
recently to draw masterpieces with ballpoint pens, and not arty ballpoints (if
such a thing even exists) but the humble Pilot G2 Fine Point, sold by the dozen
at Staples. As he puts it, “to make something serious by not taking myself seriously.”
The results of one are a tapestry-like tangle of wrestling goblin-esque characters; another is packed with random images and logos representing the letters of the alphabet (not in alphabetical order, of
course) and there’s his massive cluster of heart symbols that subvert sentimentality by becoming frames for motifs as disparate as Abe Lincoln, clocks, an owl, the Pepsi logo or toilet paper, to name a few.
Philip Knoll (b. 1959) studied art at The University of Texas before receiving his M.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1991. Knoll has shown extensively in the United States and has had solo exhibitions with Morgan Lehman Gallery (New York, NY) and most recently with Hexum Gallery, Montpelier. Knoll currently lives and works in Berkshire County, Mass., with his wife, artist Sue Muskat Knoll.
For inquiries, contact John at [email protected]. Visit @hexumgallery on Instagram for updates. The gallery is located at 16 State St., 2nd floor.
