CRITICAL VIEW
Bill Enck creates three-dimensional works that span the 1970s to the present day, He draws influence from movements such as Minimalism, Assemblage and Dadaism. Bill primarily uses wood as the core and basis of his works, and then carves, assembles and carefully constructs and builds his sculptures of varying textures, shapes and sizes. He also utilizes and applies every day found objects and construction debris as unexpected juxtapositions to the once living lushness of the wood. The plasticity of the man-made from his found objects so beautifully contrast and complement the inherent malleability and textural qualities of the natural wood. His craftsmanship is evident in each piece and as he reimagines and reconstructs, he builds and expands upon the randomness of life. His work is simplistic and simultaneously complex with each object enveloping and operating in its own space and time alongside the other. Bill creates a strong visual and tactile appeal but also a unique whimsy and wonder that make his work so playfully resonate with his viewers.
Kate Pulino 2018
ARTIST VIEWS
“Something new every time, but Still typical Bill Enck. NICE!” - Carla Kloppenburg [Instagram]
“The thing about Encks work is the bridging of forms.. Pop and conceptual. His pieces are found but recognizable. Put together for a different purpose than the pieces may have been originally intended. They scream irony.. the puns are sometime obvious snd other times not. You can almost see the moment the artist twists these oddball shapes around in his head and sees a completely Alternative creation. Reclaiming these “end pieces“ or discarded cutoffs is The artists master stroke. The simplicity of form should not be misread as simplicity of concept. This is smart art. Art that stays with you. Art that we go to museums in hopes to find.” - speterturner
BILL ENCK-BIOGRAPHY
1963- First knew I wanted to be a sculptor.
1968- National Art Honor Society
1969-1970 Attended Pratt Institute
1971- First studio Boston Massachusetts
1972- Studio 96 Chambers Street, NYC
1973-1987- Studio 179 Duane Street
1988- 1998- Various rooms, basements and garages. In Delaware, Oregon and NYC.
1999- 2017- Studio 13 Washington Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
2017- Current West Haven, Ct
2018- Instagram and website
GRANTS
1980- National Endowment for the Arts
1983- Change Inc.
1992- Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation, Inc.