Outside The Lines

Some art is about breaking all the rules, but for John Adelman it's about making his own. In his new exhibition, Trace Evidence, Adelman uses gel ink and mixed media to methodically craft large, labor intensive shapes out of minute, imperfect parts. In some works he writes line after line...

By Alex Copeland

July 7, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Some art is about breaking all the rules, but for John Adelman it's about making his own. In his new exhibition, Trace Evidence, Adelman uses gel ink and mixed media to methodically craft large, labor intensive shapes out of minute, imperfect parts. In some works he writes line after line of loose, cursive scrawl, strategically placing the words so that they eventually emerge as distinct shapes. In other pieces, Adelman makes countless tracings of nails to form chaotic plumes on murky watercolor backgrounds. Procedurally, it might sound not too far removed from data entry, but the final product is far more compelling than any Excel spreadsheet. The exhibit runs through August 20th at the Holly Johnson Gallery, 1411 Dragon Street. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. To 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free. Call 214-369-0169 or visit hollyjohnsongallery.com for details.
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Starts: July 9. Continues through Aug. 20, 2011

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.