Parade of Suppression
Parade of Suppression is a two panel, black and white pen drawing that details the push and pull surrounding basic physiological desires. Initially, this began as an entry to a show in Bucktown (Chicago) focused on celebration of the nude form (the show in 2018 may have been named Buckwild or something similar). However, the artist was not aware of the show until days before the call and was unable to enter.
In the months following, Matthew Wilson would work on the panels little by little amidst his other ongoing projects. It was during this time that the third panel (detailing a continued play space) was removed from the artwork for two reasons. First, the play space did not need to be repeated since it was not presenting content distinct from the first and secondary panels. Also, Matthew Wilson's hatch style shading with Pigma Micron Pens would have extended the time needed to finish the piece. So, it ultimately would have been time spent repeating things already present in another panel. As a result of this path the artwork was going along, the third panel was removed.
The artwork itself displays a man walking amidst a dark sea while clinging on to an umbrella. As he stares into the distance, a wisp of a cloud sneaks past his umbrella and moves in close to him, as if it were whispering suggestive ideas to the man. As viewers follow the wisp up, they are taken into the Play Space, the realm of physiological desires where a festive scene of both heterosexual and homosexual play is underway.
The distinction between the two spaces is reinforced by the two separate panels, with a bottom-heavy composition favoring the man walking (as if the main panel is down to earth/rooted in reality that is shared amongst most people). Further conclusions can be drawn from viewers on their own. Main influences were James Jean and Toyin Ojih Odutola.
Parade of Suppression, Matthew Wilson, 2018
Main Panel (Real Space, 22x14"):
Top Panel (Play Space, 15x9"):
Pre Gallery Snap:
Detail of Main Panel:
Reach out to Matthew Wilson for commissions or questions:
creative.mwilson@gmail.com