Asemic writing (asemics), vispo & abstract art from Claudia McGill (Wyncote, Pennsylvania, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Claudia McGill (Wyncote, Pennsylvania, USA)

August 4, 2013 - Claudia McGill has wowed me with an envelope brimming with her art, most of it post-card size but with larger items also. She sent this message:

The piece that opens the blog is larger, approximately 6 X 10 inches. Many at the IUOMA are familiar with Claudia McGill's distinctive collage work and painting style. This batch of work incorporates language/text in various ways, especially asemic writing; this work could also well fit the definition of visual poetry. The piece above is a fantastic example of her paint-over approach. Here is the reverse side:

This is an asemic-oriented piece that suggests book pages. Many comparisons can be made to provide a context. I think of Cy Twombly in particular due to the flowing cursive forms and painterly approach.

I could appreciate Claudia's use of colour and texture forever. The paint-over is evident above and the composition is more rugged and dissonant than much of her far more subtle work.

This reverse side moves into the asemic realm even further. Readable words and letters are suggested in places but meld back into abstraction.

Here is another black on white asemic piece that I think works very. I cannot recall other b&w work by Claudia. The reverse:

I present a vertical scan to give another perspective, as that can be an option with asemic writing.

This (above) is a favourite piece in the collection.

Here is another great piece with predominant black. Claudia McGill's large envelope that contained all this work is also a piece of art:

The reverse:

Deepest thanks to Claudia McGill for this fantastic package!

[fátima queiroz]

wowwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[De Villo Sloan]

Hi Laurence and welcome back!

I think the last time we corresponded was for one of Cheryl Penn's book projects. Was it Project 26? I have your chapter archived. Or maybe you contributed to the Asemics 16 books. It was all vispo & asemics in those days.

I am very pleased to hear from you!

[Laurence Roberts]

yes it is - it really is.

[De Villo Sloan]

Yes Claudia! Do try the cut-up. Keep us posted.

[De Villo Sloan]

Hi Carina. Yes, the envelope is absolutely superb & much greater in scale than what is inside. But I do not want to compare what is outside with inside, right? Well, I adore Pollock and DeKooning, so Claudia always wins my heart. Thanks.

[Carina]

The envelope is superb!

[De Villo Sloan]

Missed your comment PIRO - hi. Yeah, isn't Claudia a star?

[De Villo Sloan]

Amy, PIRO, BG, Rebecca, Eraser Heed - thanks for looking & liking, my asemic comrades. Claudia has entrusted me with treasures here.

Claudia - the library cards are definitely out of proportion with the other scans. I reduced them at M-L but Ning-Skynet won't let me do it or I can't figure it out. (As Monty Cantsin said: "How do you explain revolution to a broken robot?")

Otherwise, these pieces look as if they could be paintings in a gallery. It's hard to keep in mind most are postcards. 

I wanted to say more about your "paint over" technique that works as a kind of erasure with the text. I think that works well. And I believe the foundation of these is sometimes found material, maybe even junk mail, if I recall. So you have chance elements working too. 

For months, I've been threatening to write something about automatic writing & drawing (so favoured by the Surrealists). Your work qualifies for that too, I think.

Again, FAB. I'm not worthy.

[PIRO]

Fabulous collection De Villo. Love Claudia's work.

[Rebecca Guyver]

Fabulous!