#StaffPicks | Ed Ruscha by Diana McNeill - Through the lens of Ed Ruscha, we see re-imaginings of otherwise ordinary urban and rural imagery such as roadside gas stations, buildings and signage. Ruscha extrapolates fragments of familiar imagery and rebrands it within a new context to great effect. - Dead End, 2014, is a perfect example of his ability to filter language and meaning often through visual Americana and turn out a larger universal truth or contemplation. This edition is part of Ruscha's Rusty Signs series, a set of six prints produced with Mixografia and their unique relief printing process. The texture of the paper has been treated giving the illusion of a grimy, oxidized sign and the text is printed in relief emulating hammered steel. Each composition in the series is presented in various states of rust and wear conveying a truly authentic replica of weathered and corroded signage. - Of this body of work Ruscha notes, "Since a very young age, my attention has always been on signs of every kind--some that I have painted by hand and others that are blank or enigmatic. These new editions are about neglected and forgotten signs from neglected and forgotten landscapes." This is in keeping with Ruscha's practice of isolating visual components of our culture as independent objects and transforming them into works of art. - Ed Ruscha, Dead End 2, from Rusty Signs, 2014, Mixografia print, 24 x 24 inches, edition of 50 - #edruscha #ruscha #deadend #rustysign #mixografia #forgotten #landscape @dianalatigra (at Leslie Sacks Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bppn17Flzp-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b4r3gphk2nsq