Leonardo Drew

Leonardo Drew, b. 1961

Having started work at The Art Newspaper I have been very bad at taking advantage of the invitations to private views we receive. Last week I finally managed to go on a bit of a team bonding trip to the Leonardo Drew exhibition at Vigo Gallery, the second solo show of wall-based sculptures by the Brooklyn based artist. 

Drew is known for his reflective and abstract sculptural installations which incorporate natural and man-made materials such as fabricated wood, tree branches, roots, paper, raw cotton, rust, random found objects and mud. The resulting effect is exceedingly tactile while the combination of the man-made and natural creates a feeling of them working in both harmony and opposition, battling against each other while simultaneously coming together.

Some of his installations, not on show in this exhibition, are composed solely of urban debris, collected by people who live on the street for $50 per bag. Drew re-examines and re-invents the objects and materials he uses, often loading his work with multiple African American historical, cultural and social connotations. His work draws on the cyclical and transient nature of life - decay and resurrection playing a central and recurring role throughout his work.

All works illustrated above were made this year and are composed of found wood. If you like what you see and are feeling flush, prices range from around £35,000 up to £95,000. 

The exhibition runs until July 26th 2013