The American Federation of Arts is pleased to announce that artist Will Cotton is the first featured speaker in the 2010/11 ArtTalks series. Cotton is internationally recognized for his dreamy landscapes often composed of sugary desserts and idealized female figures. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as pin-ups and bakery windows, Cotton’s prints, canvases, and interactive projects explore the promise and possibility of gluttony, beauty, and desire. The convergence of indulgence and appetite has been a recurring theme in his work, and his art has long incorporated images of cotton candy, macaroons, peppermints, frosting, cakes, lollipops, marshmallows, and other sweet confections.
Cotton’s work is represented by Mary Boone Gallery in New York and by Daniel Templon in Paris. His work has been shown in group exhibitions at Kunsthalle Bielefeld, the Seattle Art Museum, the Flag Art Foundation, and the Columbus Museum of Art. Other projects have included a pop-up French bakery at Partners & Spade, New York, and a set of limited-edition pajamas designed for the 2009 Creative Time Slumber Party. Cotton recently served as the artistic director for the California Gurls music video for pop singer Katy Perry: the video places Perry in a world completely made of the confectionary elements found in his paintings. Cotton lives and works in New York.
The ArtTalk will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 6:30 p.m., at Christie’s, located at 20 Rockefeller Plaza, which is on 49th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Following Cotton’s lecture, audience members are invited to participate in a question-and-answer session and a wine reception hosted by Christie’s.
In-kind support for ArtTalks is provided by Christie’s.
Admission is $15; $10 for AFA members and students with valid identification. Seating is limited and reservations are required. To purchase tickets online, click here, or please call 212.988.7700 ext. 210.