Surveyor

Surveyor is a Collection-based exhibition presenting modern and contemporary artists whose works are rooted in the exploration, observation, construct, and perception of landscape. The title refers to a poem by the Dutch writer Rutger Kopland, and underscores the theme of humanity’s relationship with, and understanding of, the natural world in which we live. The exhibition features the premiere of several major new acquisitions, including works by Kelly Barrie, Sonja Braas, Barnaby Furnas, Cameron Martin, Matthew Ritchie, Gary Simmons, and Zhan Wang, as well as works from the Collection that have not been on view in recent months, including those by Stephan Balkenhol, James Ensor, Leon Golub, Mariko Mori, Auguste Rodin, and Thomas Scheibitz.

In addition to Curator Heather Pesanti’s selections, Surveyor features work by five Buffalo-based artists—Mike Basinski, Millie Chen, Bingyi Huang, Peter Stephens, and Paul Vanouse—who have been invited to respond to the theme with their work, and with their own selections from the Gallery’s Collection.

Finally, working with the idea that language is landscape, the Gallery has collaborated with the Poetry Collection at the University at Buffalo to borrow rare art poetry books, ranging from first editions of works by Gertrude Stein and T. S. Elliot to collaborative books by Helen Adams and Kiki Smith, and Michael McClure and Jess.

Presenting an expanded dialogue between curator, collection, artist, and author, Surveyor combines contemporary artistic commentary with an historical review of the theme, inviting the viewer on a surveyor’s journey through the complex and fantastical depths of our lived environment.