Insider / Outsider

Trashman, found objects, 14"x 9", 1992

Chuck Davidson has recently exhibited his so-called "reclamation works" titled AMERICAN ARCHIVES at the main entrance gallery of the Empire State Building, receiving much acclaim from both the visitors to this icon of New York and the City's arts press. Davidson begins his design. career at Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles in 1959 ultimately graduating from the Art Center College of Design, now in Pasadena, in 1964. His 36 year career as a commercial designer includes VP Creative Director of Movado Watch Company. He has exhibited his assemblages at the Orensanz Foundation, NYC, at SUNY Westchester, at the Yorktown Museum, and at the Westchester Council for the Arts.

Will Whalen has been professionally exhibiting his constructions since inclusion in The Ferrin Gallery Recycled show of 1995 in Northhampton, MA. His work has been included in the Outsider Art Fair in NYC's Puck Building, the Hammond Museum of North Salem, Lincoln Center NYC, Peekskill's Paramount Center for the Arts, and Artist Space in Soho, amongst others. These exhibitions have been covered by The New York Times, North County Arts, The Viking News, etc. Susan Merrill of The Journal News calls Whalen "one of the most subversive artists" she has encountered. She continues: "He makes loud and whacky statements about everyday life."

This two person exhibition includes assemblages by Charles Davidson and William J. Whalen. Both Davidson and Whalen are local "outsider" artists dealing with the ironical, whimsical and extraordinary qualities of the found and manipulated object. Together they present a humorous dialog, playful spirit and contemplative response to our culture through the iconography and processes of (de)constructed assemblage.

Both artist's homes and studios are located in the village of Croton-on- Hudson, NY. Also, both artist's vocational careers are outside the arena of the fine arts. "Chuck" Davidson iis an internationally known commercial designer, while "Willy" Whalen is a locally known machinist. However, both artists have maintained an intrigue with the "found" object over the years culminating in the production of superior assembled art work.   These assemblages and the artists responsible for them have steadily gained local and national recognition from the fine art world. Thus, the title of "Insider/Outsider" is justly appropriate.   Both Davidson and Whalen are shamans of transformation. They both entertain and seduce the viewer into their metaphoric formulations and alchemetic qualities. The viewer ultimatley becomes a participant in their magical art.