Larissa Goldston Gallery is pleased to present "Slip," an exhibition of new work by Suzanne McClelland.   The paintings, drawings, prints and collages included in this exhibition continue McClelland's earlier explorations of translating speech and sound into a visual form.   The use of "found" language, gathered by listening to human interaction, allows McClelland the flexibility to explore content as diverse as voice and intonation, categorization, sexuality, feminism, and power.

This particular body of work focuses on the act of naming. Whether sending a rocket into space and planting a flag on the moon, or dividing land between nations and defining borders, the desire to name or claim a place and affix it with language is a strong human impulse.   As McClelland observes, "Language slips and slides in relationship to experience. The name never tells the story and it often attempts to fix behavior. What seems recognizable or nameable can dissolve when repeated over and over or when meditated upon." The drive to "impress" on a place or person is at the core of this body of work, particularly that subtle place between seduction and assertion.

The exhibition centerpiece is a large painting/print on fabric called "Stud." The word "stud" began as a transparent drip and was then inserted with photographs of pointing men from art history McClelland has been collecting for years. The images are paired with pictures of rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, representing memories from the artist's childhood.   The show also includes a series of "Rorschach" paint blots. Unlike traditional Rorschach's, these works on paper and fabric are structured entities. Though they appear to offer the possibility of personal interpretation, they are in fact words that McClelland has chosen: shock, awe, lull, swagger, slip slide and lie. Other paintings in the show also deal with naming. Their titles are words whose meanings change according to the speaker's sexuality and intent, for example pussy or bitch. This change in meaning is rendered using wiry line; distorted, flabby letters; flat, papery forms or wet glossy drips.

The exhibition will be on view from Friday, April 22 through Saturday, May 28.   The opening reception is on April 22 from 6-8pm.   Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11am-6pm and by appointment on Tuesdays.  

For more information, please contact the gallery at 212-206-7887 or info@larissagoldstongallery.com.