Artist: Luc Fuller
Exhibition title: Notes On Cotton Duck
Venue: Acappella, Naples, Italy
Date: March 28 – May 11, 2015
Photography: Danilo Donzelli. Images courtesy of the artist and Acappella, Naples
Acappella is pleased to present Notes On Cotton Duck, a solo exhibition by American artist Luc Fuller. This is Fuller’s first solo presentation in Italy and is also his first exhibition in Naples.
Meditating on the raw material itself and its various uses throughout history, both functional and cultural, Fuller employs subtle yet deliberate inventions. Printing directly onto raw cotton duck canvas through a process including inking up large sheets of plywood and placing paper cutout stencils of musical notes between the fabric and the wood, Fuller creates an image that is both reminiscent of the method and conveys feeling beyond the materials.
With a history dating back to the beginnings of Western civilization, cotton duck has found application in sails, shelter, clothing and easel painting. Due to the durability and low cost of the fabric, it has been an obvious choice for various work wear producers. The most notable of these is the brand Carthartt, which in 1889 began producing the fabric as work overalls for railroad workers in Detroit, Michigan. As with anything that sets out to perform a specific function, in this case that of keeping a worker warm, dry and protected, it is also possible that a different use or function will arise due to a shift in context or demand. In the 1980’s, Carhartt became a popular choice among crack dealers who needed protection from the harsh winters of New York while plying their trade. Carhartt’s status as a brand with cultural significance was further solidified when major hip-hop label, Tommy Boy Records, emblazoned their logo onto the already popular Carhartt Jacket in 1992. Today Carhartt enjoys popularity among many subcultures, from the working class to purveyors of street wear around the globe.
Luc Fuller lives and works in Portland, OR. He received his BFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, OR. Recent solo presentations include Rod Barton (London), ABC (Berlin) and Multiplex (Portland). Select group exhibitions include Adams and Ollman (Portland), Johannes Vogt Gallery (New York), Knockdown Center (Queens), Rail Curatorial Projects (Miami) and Ideal Uh-Huh Projects (Berlin).
