RETROSPECTACLE, a tongue-in-cheek solo exhibition by Will Bryant explores themes of success, failure, recognition, looking forward and looking back.
Installation, screen prints, cake eating, paintings, drawings, and other art objects will make up the exhibit, which will be in the Department of Art Gallery in McComas Hall on MSU’s campus from August 28-October 3. Hours are Tues.–Fri., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. An opening reception, which is free and open to the public, will be held Aug. 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Bryant, a 2008 MSU graphic design graduate, will speak about his work during a public lecture on Wednesday, August 29, in the Robert and Freda Harrison Auditorium in Giles Hall at noon. A lecture for students and faculty will be later that day at 3 p.m. in room 200 of Stafford Hall.
The MSU alumnus currently works as an independent illustrator, designer and self-proclaimed “professional goofball” in Portland, Ore. He is pursuing his master of fine arts in the studio practice program at Portland State University. In addition, he teaches classes in the design department at Portland and juggles major commercial illustration clients such as Chronicle Books, New York Times Magazine, Nike and Ray-Ban.
Bryant’s work is varied in form, context and topic, which he says is a critical factor to both his commercial success and his everyday happiness. Whatever form his work takes, it remains lighthearted and full of personality.
“Keeping things crazy keeps things fun.”
Photos: (Top to bottom) Cover designed by Will Bryant for The New York Times Magazine; Bryant’s design for Nike; Bryant works on a mural for Ray-Ban.