Edward Holland

Hollis Taggart is pleased to present At the Bottom of the Celestial Sea, the New York-based artist Edward Holland’s first solo show at the gallery since joining its roster. The exhibition will present Holland’s most recent series of zodiac paintings, in which he uses collage as an aesthetic and conceptual device to explore and celebrate the abundance of meaning and references generated by each zodiac sign. The exhibitionis presented concurrently with Holland’s first solo show in a museum, Edward Holland: Celestial Sea, on view at the Brattleboro Museum in Vermont through June 16, 2024. At the Bottom of the Celestial Sea will be on view at Hollis Taggart from April 25 through May 25, 2024, with an opening reception on Thursday, May 2nd, from 5-8PM.

Edward Holland’s zodiac painting series, which he started creating in 2014, are inspired by the many dimensions of zodiac signs from the astronomical to the astrological and the mythological. Holland incorporates the linear geometry of a zodiacal constellation in each painting, using this as a kind of framework onto which he collages printed papers ranging from notes from his neighbors and poems by Lawrence Ferlinghetti to maps and doodles created by his two daughters. Holland then builds on this foundation with graphite and paint, at times scribbling out the words on the printed papers, and at others layering expressive brushwork – usually incorporating the color associated with the given zodiac – in what resemble fragments of Abstract Expressionist paintings. The resulting works are almost like abstracted portraits of each zodiac, inviting the viewer into a game of excavating their many layers of meaning.

To take one example, The Archer (Version 18), 2024, is scaffolded by the constellation of Sagittarius rendered in purple and anchored by moments of bold yellow, which is complementary of the color attributed to the zodiac. Partially hidden beneath layers of paint are instructions for how to bandage a wounded leg as well as anatomical drawings of legs, nodding to Sagittarius’ association with lower limbs. Peeking through at the center of the canvas is the signature moustache of Frank Zappa, the legendary musician and composer born under the sign of Sagittarius. Each painting contains dozens of such zodiacal associations – some more obscure than others, with certain material so painted over that it is no longer visible to the viewer. While it may seem that Holland would search for such reference material intentionally, he only ever uses materials he finds on the street or which is shared with him by friends and family. This adds a sense of wonder to the works, as the material has come to the artist through serendipity.

The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue with an essay by the art critic Raphael Rubenstein, who notes that “Holland is able to orchestrate a wonderfully diverse range of artistic echoes: the scribbled-on printed texts suggest the work of Hanne Darboven; the vigorous brushwork evokes any number of Abstract Expressionists; the overpainted images recall Gerhard Richter, among others; looping pencil lines and the generous use of graphite paint point toward Cy Twombly…” While they may be formally grounded by the structure of an individual zodiacal constellation, the paintings in Holland’s zodiac series also become a constellation of art historical influences, including many artists whom Hollis Taggart has exhibited over the years.

Edward Holland (born in Philadelphia, 1980) received a B.F.A. in painting from Syracuse University and an M.A. in studio art from New York University. His work has been shown in galleries nationwide, including Northern Daughters, Vergennes, VT; Gallery 543 at URBN, Philadelphia; Long-Sharp Gallery, Indianapolis; MM Fine Art, Southampton, New York; and Gerald Peters Gallery, New York and Santa Fe. He lives and works in New York City.

For more information about Edward Holland: At the Bottom of the Celestial Sea, please contact us at info@hollistaggart.com or +1 212.628.4000.

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