Bits and Pieces: The Collage Impulse includes thirty-three artists whose work explores contemporary collage techniques. Papier collé (pasted paper) first became a significant art form in the early 20th century with the work of Pablo Picasso and George Braque. Its influence was felt in movements throughout the 20th century – Futurism, Constructivism, Dada, Surrealism, Expressionism, and Pop Art. Collage, with its simplicity of means, continues to evolve in the work of contemporary artists. Often including “found images” and discards from daily life, collage strategies continue to embrace a broad range of materials and techniques.

Reconstructing and building imagery from bits and pieces marks the work of each of the artists in this exhibition. The materials range broadly from lottery tickets (Yunsook Park) to Post-It notes (Mary DeVincentis) and include illusionist portraits made from money (C.K. Wilde and Mark Wagner), cut paper shapes applied directly to the wall (Beth Gilfilen), surfaces of stitched paper and cloth (Elisa D’Arrigo), and playful, freely-associated images clipped from cartoons and children’s books (Brian Belott, Sue Johnson, Alejandra Villasmil). Bits and Pieces also includes fragmented video stills (Jessica Mein), geometric photomontages (Elaine Norman), Surrealist narratives (Caroline Golden), and compositions with glitz and glamour (Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt).

Bits and Pieces: The Collage Impulse, curated by Susan Hoeltzel, is supported with funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and JPMorgan Chase Foundation.