Meliksetian | Briggs is pleased to present Sheets Deprived of Wind, the first solo exhibition by Steven Hull at the gallery.

A satirical, provocative and occasionally dark exhibition, it will consist of two separate installations over a six week period, one for the first three weeks, followed by an entirely new show for the last three. Featuring large scale painting, both abstract and figurative, as well as sculpture, some featuring sound elements, the exhibitions are intrinsically linked under an overarching comedic-political narrative. Referencing current affairs and news headlines, this new body of work is Hull’s reaction to the political climate of the last year; anger, bafflement, and concern, reflected in the new installation of paintings and sculptures.

The exhibition is defined by Hull’s distinctive and characteristic visual style - angular figures, bold, graphic lines and marks in black, contrasted with vivid, sometimes shocking, color, and recurring imagery; the circus, ships, and skeletons for instance; combined with found objects and readymade and hand made assemblage sculptures.

The tragicomic figures and narratives in the paintings and sculptures directly reference political cartoons and use satire to expose the ridiculous or highlight a truth. Formally, Hull continues to explore the various ways that painting, sound and sculpture interact, and even overlap, where a flat image can appear to be dimensional, and a sculptural piece can feel image-based. The sculptures address the paintings, combining themselves into captivating tableaus creating new dialogues and conversations.

Steven Hull (b. 1967) received his BFA and MFA from California Institute of the Arts, the latter in 1997. In addition to having exhibited in the U.S. and internationally, he has organized numerous publications and exhibitions including Blind Date (1998), a catalogue of 31 artists and writers’ collaborations; I’m Still In Love With You (1998-99), an album and catalogue in which visual artists and writers respond to the 1972 album by Al Green; Song Poems (2000-01), a catalogue with three CDs of 43 original lyrics, songs and album art contributed by numerous writers, artists and musicians; and Nothing Moments (2007), a publishing and curatorial project consisting of 24 limited edition books and over 400 original drawings. Hull was the co-founder of the artist-run space La Cienegas Projects that ran from 2009-2011 and presented over sixty artist projects. Hull lives and works in Los Angeles.