Rob Wynne

Wynne's work spans sculpture, installations, glass, painting, drawing, collage, photography, design, and jewelry.{{Cite book |last=Guinness |first=Louisa |title=Art As Jewellery |date=January 5, 2018 |publisher=ACC Art Books |isbn=978-1851498703 |location=New York}} Wynne's early drawings and collages were influenced by the Fluxus movement via Ray Johnson, a seminal figure of Neo-Dada and founder of the New York Correspondence School.{{Cite journal|last=Kley|first=Elisabeth|date=May 2000|title=Wynne's Dream Logic|journal=Art in America|pages=134}} Having met Johnson during the 1970s, Wynne says that "through Ray I got interested in the idea of using a typewriter and Western Union, and we developed an epistolary relationship."{{Cite web|last=Quinn|first=Alice|date=October 8, 2011|title=In Cog Nito, Believing Is Seeing, an interview with Rob Wynne by Alice Quinn|url=http://www.locksgallery.com/attachment/en/558176bf278e1af86c88ecaf/Publication/55b12e8ac5aa2ca01f5f2dcf|website=www.locksgallery.com}} Wynne once went to Western Union and wrote a telegram to himself that read: "You are still alive."

In the mid-1970s Wynne scored music, opera, and soundscape for the dramatic readings of Marguerite Young's epic novel Miss MacIntosh, My Darling—turning the readings into performances—as part of radio station WBAI's year-long series called The Reading Experiment.{{Cite web|last=Schwabsky|first=Barry|date=2012|title=Marguerite Young: Miss Macintosh, My Darling|url=http://clocktower.org/series/marguerite-young-miss-macintosh-my-darling|website=www.clocktower.org/}} The participants included Anaïs Nin, Marian Seldes, Leo Lerman, Michael Wager, Novella Nelson, Osceola Adams, Owen Dodson, Wyatt Emory Cooper, Peggy Cass, Ruth Ford, Earle Hyman.{{Cite web |title=Clocktower - Radio |url=https://clocktower.org/series/marguerite-young-miss-macintosh-my-darling |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=clocktower.org}} Also for WBAI, Rob Wynne recorded and edited for broadcast Robert Wilson and Philip Glass's avant-garde opera Einstein on the Beach and Robert Wilson and Alan Lloyd's Letter for Queen Victoria.{{Cite web |title=Clocktower - Radio |url=https://clocktower.org/show/robert-wilson-and-philip-glass-einstein-on-the-beach-performed |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=clocktower.org}}{{Cite web |title=A Letter for Queen Victoria / highlights. {{!}} Pacifica Radio Archives |url=https://www.pacificaradioarchives.org/recording/bc2239 |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=www.pacificaradioarchives.org |language=en}} In 1976, he scored Joan Jonas's I Want to Live in the Country (And Other Romances), counterbalancing her visuals and readings from her journal with music evoking open spaces.{{Cite web |title=Electronic Arts Intermix: I Want to Live in the Country (And Other Romances), Joan Jonas : Video Intro |url=https://www.eai.org/titles/i-want-to-live-in-the-country-and-other-romances/video-intro |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=www.eai.org}}{{Cite book |last=Morgan |first=Susan |title=Joan Jonas: I Want to Live in the Country (And Other Romances) |publisher=Afterall Books |year=2006 |isbn=9781846380259 |location=London |pages=74, 78 |language=English}}

Wynne's use of industrial materials in his work, such as his Xerox art, was a part of his first installation, Sphere Redux, at The Kitchen in New York City, in 1981. It consisted of two rear screen projections of a large rotating glass marble, scored with opera and breaking glass, synchronized with video monitors arranged along the base of one wall, hung with blueprint blow-ups of glass marbles, Moon rocks, and caves, intermixed with portraits of friends whose features were overshadowed by masks.{{Cite news |last=Glueck |first=Grace |date=November 27, 1981 |title=Review |work=New York Times}}

In the 1990s, Wynne's exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, and prints at the Holly Solomon Gallery became installations;{{Cite journal|last=MacAdam|first=Alfred|date=January 2000|title="You're Dreaming" at Holly Solomon|journal=Art News|volume=January 2000}} his works set against wallpaper with images from the opera La Sonnambula (Bellini){{Cite journal|last=Princenthal|first=Nancy|date=September 1996|title=Rob Wynne at Holly Solomon: Sleepwalking|journal=Art in America}} or The Flies (Sartre).{{Cite journal|last=Yablonsky|first=Linda|date=December 11–30, 1999|title=Holly Solomon Gallery: You're Dreaming|journal=Time Out New York}}

In recent years, Wynne has become interested in glass as a medium. In the course of a visit to a glass foundry. "There", Wynne says, "I started this experiment. It was purely by accident. I was holding a ladle of molten glass when it slipped out of my hands and spilled onto the floor, making a huge splat, which was absolutely spectacular. And at that moment I thought it was a kind of cosmic explosion and that it would be so interesting to fix it permanently, silver it and see it really glimmer. That led me to realize that I could control it somewhat more than just letting it fall out of a ladle and I could start making actual letters."

Wynne began to use glass to create large scale text pieces. Wynne explained that his glass text pieces were intended to "be much more reflective so when you are reading them you see yourself reading them." Olivia Ryder for UrbanGlass writes, "He effectively reinstates that reflective nature with his literary creations. The disassociated words and phrases, adopts the viewers voice and adds a layer of introspection, disrupting the barriers between art and viewer."{{Cite web|last=UrbanGlass|date=2020-06-24|title=SEEN: Rob Wynne activates Brooklyn Museum's period…|url=https://urbanglass.org/glass/detail/seen-rob-wynne-activates-american-art-wing-with-exquisite-mirrored-glass-wall-reliefs|access-date=2020-06-24|website=UrbanGlass|language=en}}

In Wynne's 2018 show, [https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/rob_wynne_float Float] at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, he installed sixteen works within the American Art galleries. The works were placed in direct dialogue with selected works from the collection.{{Cite web|title=Brooklyn Museum: Rob Wynne: Float|url=https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/rob_wynne_float|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.brooklynmuseum.org}} Barbara A. MacAdam from the Brooklyn Rail described Wynne's installations, "The objects of the gallery—the artifacts, paintings, sculpture, and furniture are reflected upon by the artist, literally and figuratively, and become a part of his, and our, stream of consciousness."{{Cite web|last=MacAdam|first=Barbara A.|date=2018-07-11|title=Rob Wynne: Float|url=https://brooklynrail.org/2018/07/artseen/ROB-WYNNE-FLOAT|access-date=2020-06-24|website=The Brooklyn Rail|language=en-US}}

In his work, Wynne freely appropriates fragments of texts and images taken from literature, opera, theater, and conversation.{{Cite book|last=Ratcliff|first=Carter|title=Visionary Glitter: The Art of Rob Wynne|publisher=Locks Art Publications|year=2008|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania}} In addition to his work in glass, Wynne works with smoke, embroidery, paint, thread, bronze, and ceramics.

Rob Wynne: Obstacle Illusion, a major monograph on Wynne's work featuring texts by A.M. Homes, Michael Duncan, Ed Leffingwell and Linda Yablonsky, will be published in Fall of 2023 by Gregory R. Miller & Co.{{Cite book |url=https://www.artbook.com/https:/www.artbook.com/9781941366523.html |title=Rob Wynne: Obstacle Illusion - ARTBOOK{{!}}D.A.P.}}

Solo exhibitions of Wynne's work include:

• Afterglow, Craig F. Starr Gallery, New York, 2023{{Cite web |title=Rob Wynne: AFTERGLOW - Exhibitions - Craig Starr Gallery |url=http://www.craigstarr.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne-afterglow#tab:slideshow |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=www.craigstarr.com |language=en}}
• Radiant Darkness, Galerie Mitterand, Paris, 2023{{Cite web |title=Rob Wynne {{!}} 7 January - 4 March 2023 |url=https://galeriemitterrand.com/en/exhibitions/185-rob-wynne-radiant-darkness/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Galerie Mitterrand |language=en}}
• Reflection, Gavlak Gallery, Palm Beach, FL, 2022{{Cite web |title=Rob Wynne: REFLECTION - Exhibitions - GAVLAK |url=https://www.gavlakgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne-reflection |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=www.gavlakgallery.com |language=en}}
• Speechless, Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 2020{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne - Exhibitions - Locks Gallery|url=http://www.locksgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne5|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.locksgallery.com}}
• Float, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY, 2018
• OH2/H2O, GAVLAK Gallery, Palm Beach FL, 2017{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne "OH2/H2O" - Exhibitions - GAVLAK|url=https://www.gavlakgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne-oh2-h2o|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.gavlakgallery.com}}
• Blindsight, Arthur Roger Gallery, New Orleans, LA, 2016{{Cite web|title=Exhibition Opening: Rob Wynne|url=https://arthurrogergallery.com/event/exhibition-opening-rob-wynne/|access-date=2020-06-24|website=Arthur Roger Gallery|language=en-US}}
• A Distant Mirror, Galerie Mitterrand, Paris, France, 2016{{Cite web|title=A Distant Mirror, Rob Wynne|url=http://galeriemitterrand.com/fr/expositions/presentation/131/a-distant-mirror|access-date=2020-06-24|website=galeriemitterrand.com}}
• Blue Ghost, 39 Great Jones, New York, NY, 2016{{Cite web|title=rob wynne {{!}} 39 great jones|url=http://39greatjones.com/gallery_entry/rob-wynne/|access-date=2020-06-24|language=en-US}}
• The Backstage of the Universe, Gavlak Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 2014{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne "The Backstage of the Universe" - Exhibitions - GAVLAK|url=https://www.gavlakgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne-the-backstage-of-the-universe|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.gavlakgallery.com}}
• The Lure of Unknown Regions Beyond the Rim of Experience, Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA., 2013{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne - Exhibitions - Locks Gallery|url=http://www.locksgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.locksgallery.com}}
• The Green Ray, Gavlak Gallery, Palm Beach, Florida, 2013{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne "The Green Ray" - Exhibitions - GAVLAK|url=https://www.gavlakgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne-the-green-ray|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.gavlakgallery.com}}
• I Remember Ceramic Castles, Mermaids & Japanese Bridges, Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach, Florida, 2012{{Cite web|last=OctoberCMS|title=Norton Museum of Art {{!}} Member Insights: Science and Technology in Contemporary Art|url=https://www.norton.org/events/member-insights-12-10-2019|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.norton.org}}
• Remember Me, Galerie Mitterrand, Paris, France, 2012{{Cite web|title=Remember Me, Rob Wynne|url=http://galeriemitterrand.com/en/expositions/presentation/91/remember-me|access-date=2020-06-24|website=galeriemitterrand.com}}
• Incognito, Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 2011{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne - Exhibitions - Locks Gallery|url=http://www.locksgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne2|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.locksgallery.com}}
• Kismet, Gavlak Gallery, Palm Beach, Florida, 2009{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne "Kismet" - Exhibitions - GAVLAK|url=https://www.gavlakgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne-kismet/selected-works?view=slider|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.gavlakgallery.com}}
• Like the Flickering of a Candle, Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA., 2008{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne - Exhibitions - Locks Gallery|url=http://www.locksgallery.com/exhibitions/rob-wynne3|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.locksgallery.com}}
• The Heartbeat of a Bird, Craig Starr Associates, New York City, 2006
• French Kiss, Galerie Mitterrand, Paris, France (curated), 2006
• Imitation and Disguise, Galerie Mitterrand, Paris, France, 2004
• New Work, Galerie Edward Mitterrand, Geneva, Switzerland, 2001
• You're Dreaming, Holly Solomon Gallery, New York City, 1999
• Breathe, Rebecca Ibel Gallery, Columbus Ohio, 1999{{Cite web|last=Murrin|first=Arlene|title=Rob Wynne|url=https://contemporaryartmatters.com/portfolio-item/rob-wynne/|access-date=2020-06-24|website=Contemporary Art Matters|language=en-US}}
• Rob Wynne: Glass Sculpture and Word Drawings, Galerie Mitterrand, Paris, France, 1998
• Sleepwalking, Holly Solomon Gallery, New York City, 1996
• Window Shopping, Grey Art Gallery, New York University, New York City, 1994{{Cite book|title=Catalogue of the Gallery of Art of the New York Historical Society|date=1915|publisher=Printed for the Society|doi=10.5479/sil.178065.39088005990429}}
• Sphere Redux, The Kitchen, New York City, (installation), 1981{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KOQCAAAAMBAJ&q=Sphere+Redux,+The+Kitchen&pg=PA113|title=New York Magazine|date=1981-11-23|publisher=New York Media, LLC|language=en}}

Selected group exhibitions include:

• Visible Traces (Mountain Water Air), Lévy Gorvy, NYC, 2019{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
• Something About a Tree, Curated by Linda Yablonsky, The Flag Art Foundation, New York, NY, 2013{{Cite web|title=Something About a Tree|url=http://flagartfoundation.org/exhibitions/something-about-a-tree/|access-date=2020-06-26|website=The FLAG art foundation}}
• High Drama: Eugene Berman and the Legacy of the Melancholic Sublime, curated by Michael Duncan, traveling exhibit: Georgia Museum of Fine Art, Athens Georgia; McNay Art Museum, Austin, Texas; Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, California, 2005{{Cite book|last=Duncan|first=Michael|title=High Drama: Eugene Berman and the Legacy of the Melancholic Sublime|publisher=Hudson Hills Press|date=May 25, 2004|isbn=1555952763|location=New York and Manchester}}
• Officina/America, Galleria D'arte Moderna, Bologna, Italy, (catalogue), 2002{{Cite book|last=Barilli|first=Renato|title=Officina America : ReteEmiliaRomagna|publisher=Mazzotta|year=2002|isbn=8820215314|location=Milano}}
• Slow Art: Painting in New York Now, P.S. 1 Museum, Long Island City, New York, 1992{{Cite web|title=Installation view of the P.S. 1 exhibition "Slow Art: Painting in New York Now" {{!}} MoMA|url=https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/4565/installation_images/42401|access-date=2020-06-26|website=The Museum of Modern Art|language=en}}
• About Place: Contemporary American Landscape, P.S. 1 Museum, Long Island City, New York, (catalogue), 1986{{Cite web|title=Artists {{!}} MoMA|url=https://www.moma.org/artists?exhibition_id=4410|access-date=2020-06-26|website=The Museum of Modern Art|language=en}}

Rob Wynne's work is held in the following public collections:

• Centre Pompidou, Paris{{Cite web|title=If You Expect to Get Better, You Will {{!}} Centre Pompidou|url=https://www.centrepompidou.fr/id/cRbgBr/rqGA6Gk/fr|access-date=2020-06-16|website=www.centrepompidou.fr|language=fr}}
• The Museum of Modern Art, New York City{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne {{!}} MoMA|url=https://www.moma.org/artists/73838|access-date=2020-06-22|website=The Museum of Modern Art|language=en}}
• The Whitney Museum of Art, New York City{{Cite web|title=Rob Wynne {{!}} A Beautiful Sound Alone Is Not Enough|url=https://whitney.org/collection/works/29539|access-date=2020-06-22|website=whitney.org|language=en}}
• The New York Public Library, The Spencer Collection, New York City{{Cite book|last1=Wynne|first1=Rob|url=https://browse.nypl.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb21076024__SWynne,%20Rob,%201950__Orightresult__X3?lang=eng&suite=def|title=A beautiful sound alone is not enough|last2=Callas|first2=Maria|date=2004|publisher=Carpe Diem|others=Carpe Diem (Firm : Oaxaca, Mexico), Linotipográfica Quintas|location=[Oaxaca] Mexico|oclc=57239844}}
• Smithsonian Archives of American Art (Holly Solomon Gallery Records), Washington, DCSmithsonian Archives of American Art, "A Finding Aid to the Holly Solomon Gallery Records, circa 1948-2003, in the Archives of American Art," Erin Kinhart, Caitlin Lampman, and Rachel Rosenfeld September 8, 2011, Box 46, Folder: Wynne, Rob, circa 1975-2002, https://sirismm.si.edu/EADpdfs/AAA.hollsolg.pdf

• [https://www.artbook.com/9781941366523.html Rob Wynne: Obstacle Illusion] (New York: Gregory R. Miller & Co., 2023). Essay by A.M. Homes. Texts by Michael Duncan and Ed Leffingwell. Interview by Linda Yablonsky.
• Rob Wynne: IN COG NITO (Philadelphia: Locks Arts, 2011). Essay by Alice Quinn.
• Rob Wynne : Like the Flickering of a Candle (Philadelphia: Locks Art, 2008). Essay by Carter Ratcliff.
• Rob Wynne: Afterglow (Munich: Galerie Oliver Schweden) Essays by Francis Naumann and David Rimanelli.

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Category:1948 births

Category:Living people

Category:Artists from New York City

Category:20th-century American artists

Category:American installation artists