Derrick Velasquez

Curatorial Statement (from catalog):

Something wonderful happens when an object becomes a miniature: it becomes something to inspect, to look closely or marvel at. In essence, it draws us closer. In recreating his work in miniature, Derrick Velasquez pushed these already inherent qualities in his work even further. His posts, when bigger, beg to be touched; their smoothness and sheen are irresistible. And his varnish prints certainly call for more than a quick scan. As a viewer, you have to stay with them at least long enough to figure out how they were made. I must admit, it took me a while.

In miniature, Derrick’s works are less likely to be touched, but the kind of inspection they call for approximates full contact. Which is why I’m grateful for another of Derrick’s strong suits: his overwhelming meticulousness. The work presented in The IMA Gallery is scaled exactly to 1/24th the typical size of his pieces.

His move into the realm of the tiny is a definite step outside of his current practice: many of the issues that his work concerns are lost in translation. But certainly not all. His concern with wood as material, process, and especially his sense of humor all remain.

To be sure, Derrick Velasquez is a funny guy. In fact, the idea for The IMA Gallery came directly from a joke he made. I took the joke seriously. Fortunately, he did as well. And I am honored to have Derrick be the first artist in The IMA.

Images from Post Things

Post Things