WILL KURTZ

Kurtz's subjects are real, everyday people, often undistinguished though vaguely familiar. Through these paper figures and animals, the artist channels both innocence and humor.

BIO

Will Kurtz (b. 1957, Flint, MI) received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University in 1981. He practiced as a landscape architect for 25 years, throughout the United States and Canada. It wasn’t until he was in his mid thirties that he began creating art as a self-taught artist. Eventually his passion for art superseded landscape architecture and he moved to New York at the age of 50 to attend graduate school at the New York Academy of Art. After graduation with an MFA he was selected to remain and do a one-year fellowship.

He has since had several solo and group shows is currently  reptresented by Kim Foster Gallery, New York, Avant Gallery, Miami, Galerie Sebastien Adrien in Paris, and Galerie Van Campen & Rochtus, Antwerp, Belgium..  His work is in many prominent collections around the world. He works in Queens, and lives in New York.

will kurtz

Brooke and Chris, 2020

Wood, wire, newspaper, tape, glue, and varnish

Kurtz creates realistic life-size figures and animals out of newspaper with an internal structure made of wood and wire. The newspaper forms have a collage of words and colorful advertising that is applied in a spontaneous painterly fashion to reflect the mood and life of the individual.

His subjects are real, everyday people who are often undistinguished and living on the margins of society. The posture, gestures, facial expressions and clothing bring the figures to life. 

People inspire me. I find life to be humorous and absurd. I love New York with all the mix of cultures and all the different types of people and clothing styles. I get inspiration walking around and riding the subways. I am never disappointed. I hope I never lose this sense of awe.

WIll Kurtz

CV

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2021
August Salon, Coastal Contemporary

July Salon, Coastal Contemporary

JUNE Salon, Coastal Contemporary

May Anniversary Salon, Coastal Contemporary

2020
FLUID, Coastal Contemporary
Taking Inventory, Coastal Contemporary

2019
DRAWING, ASSEMBLAGE, COLLAGE, Clark Gallery

There Goes the Neighborhood: New

Art for The New, New York, Avant Gallery

2017
The Salon Show: 2017 Review / Preview 2018, Clark Gallery
Paperwork, Clark Gallery

ART FAIRS

2021
Avant Gallery at Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary | Art Wynwood 2021, Avant Gallery

2020
Avant Gallery at Art Wynwood 2020, Avant Gallery

2019
Avant Gallery at Art New York 2019, Avant Gallery

Avant Gallery at Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary 2019, Avant Gallery

2018
Avant Gallery at Art Miami 2018, Avant Gallery

Kim Foster Gallery at CONTEXT Art Miami 2018, Kim Foster Gallery