Regen Projects is pleased to present Archaeology, an exclusive online exhibition of new photographs by James Welling. The works in this exhibition reflect Welling's long-standing interest in the history and technological processes of the photographic medium, propelling forth a decades long career driven by relentless experimentation. Through a series of distinct printing processes, Welling employs his findings to create images that revive the ancient world.
In describing the genesis of this project, Welling said, "I first photographed Greek and Roman antiquities on a fateful visit to the Metropolitan Museum in 2018. The most haunting of the photographs I took that day was of a defaced bust of Julia Mamaea, a third-century Syrian noblewoman, the mother and regent of Emperor Alexander Severus. Her face and head had been violently damaged but her eyes still seemed to shine and she appeared to address me directly.
I had been researching early photographic processes for a number of years and I decided to print 'Julia Mamaea' using a modified nineteenth-century printing process, collotype, in which I substituted colored dye for lithographic ink. This technique produced aqueous tints ranging from turquoise to lavender to salmon. I printed over 200 'Julia Mamaeas' from the same negative and due to variables of the process, and the fact that I printed some of them backwards, each image was different. The cumulative effect of these multiple Julias was uncanny. It seemed that her clothing, her gaze, even her gender were fluid, changing dramatically from image to image.
Last summer I visited Athens, where I became fascinated by Greek architecture and sculpture. I took scores of photographs while I was there. When I returned to my studio I adjusted the digital files so that the photographs would mimic black and white nineteenth-century film. The earliest film was not sensitive to blue light and skies were rendered a uniform white while red and yellow tones read darker. In doing this I felt that I was turning photography into a veritable time machine.
I began printing the Athens work as photolithographs. As I ran the plates through my press, I noticed that the richly inked surfaces were more interesting in themselves than the impressions I was getting. So, I began to think of the inked plate as the final work. Initially I printed the Athens work in black and white but I soon began working in color. Like many photographers I came to the medium through books, and these lithographic plates that I am exhibiting recall the intense black and white, and strange color, photogravures found in my first photography books.
'Cento' is what I call this part of Archaeology. A cento is a poem made up of quotations and I think of these photographs of Athenian architecture, sculptures, and objects as articulate fragments of the material culture of Greece.
Venus and Mars
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Hera of Cheramyes
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Artemis Rospigliosi
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Terra Cotta Pomegranate
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Portrait of Avidia Plautia
2019
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Fragment of a Gold Leaf Wreath
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Eleusis. Mixed Doric and Ionic entablature fragments
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Athens. Beule gate and view across the Mouseion Hills
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 /12 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Aphrodite, Pan and Eros.
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Artemis
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Athens. Head of a priest.
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Athens. Ancient Agora. Fig Tree
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Athens. Column Drums of the older Parthenon visible in the north wall of the Acropolis
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Head of a goddess. 2nd century A.D. marble imitation of a 5th-4th century B.C. chryselephantine (gold and ivory) sculpture
2019
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Parthenon. West pediment. Crowning akroterion (floral ornament)
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Athens. National Garden. Aleppo Pine
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Nereid
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Terra Cotta Figurine
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Amphorae
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 17 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches (43.8 x 29.2 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 24 x 18 3/4 inches (61 x 47.6 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Terra Cotta Figure
2020
Oil pigment, electrostatic print on polyester (Winsor & Newton Artists' Oil Color, HP Color LaserJet CP5225 on Pronto Plate)
Image Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 17 1/4 inches (29.2 x 43.8 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 18 ¾ x 24 inches (47.6 x 61 cm)
Variable edition of 5 + 1AP
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye and oil print
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2018
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Julia Mamaea
2019
Gelatin dichromate print with aniline dye
Image Dimensions: 14 x 11 inches (35.6 x 27.9 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 20 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (51.4 x 44.5 cm)
Unique
Charioteer from the Temple of Athena Polias
2020
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 50 1/2 x 33 5/8 inches (128.3 x 85.4 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 52 1/2 x 35 5/8 inches (133.4 x 90.5 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Grave stele with family group
2020
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 50 1/2 x 33 5/8 inches (128.3 x 85.4 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 52 1/2 x 35 5/8 inches (133.4 x 90.5 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Figure
2020
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 50 1/2 x 33 5/8 inches (128.3 x 85.4 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 52 1/2 x 35 5/8 inches (133.4 x 90.5 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Starry Night. Propylaia. South Pteron
2020
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 50 1/2 x 33 5/8 inches (128.3 x 85.4 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 52 1/2 x 35 5/8 inches (133.4 x 90.5 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Propylaia. Cistern entrance
2020
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 33 5/8 x 50 1/2 inches (85.4 x 128.3 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 35 5/8 x 52 1/2 inches (90.5 x 133.4 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Torso of a youth
2019
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 50 1/2 x 33 5/8 inches (128.3 x 85.4 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 52 1/2 x 35 5/8 inches (133.4 x 90.5 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Erechtheion. Western facade. Sacred olive tree, karyatids and old temple of Athena Polias in foreground
2019
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 33 5/8 x 50 1/2 inches (85.4 x 128.3 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 35 5/8 x 52 1/2 inches (90.5 x 133.4 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Athens. Roman Agora. Corinthian Capital
2019
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 33 5/8 x 50 1/2 inches (85.4 x 128.3 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 35 5/8 x 52 1/2 inches (90.5 x 133.4 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Eleusis. Telesterion
2020
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 33 5/8 x 50 1/2 inches (85.4 x 128.3 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 35 5/8 x 52 1/2 inches (90.5 x 133.4 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Socrates
2020
UV-curable ink on Dibond
Image Dimensions: 50 1/2 x 33 5/8 inches (128.3 x 85.4 cm)
Framed Dimensions: 52 1/2 x 35 5/8 inches (133.4 x 90.5 cm)
Edition of 5 + 2AP
For 'The Earth, the Temple and the Gods,' the third component of Archaeology, I used multilayered digital filters to color photographs of architecture and sculpture. In antiquity, statues and significant buildings were commonly painted using intense hues and covered with gold leaf that emphasized textile, hair and skin. Modern approximations of these objects are jarring; viewers still accustomed to the blanched surfaces of neoclassic art are repelled by the intense polychromy. I was not interested in recovering the precise colors of antiquity with 'The Earth, the Temple and the Gods'; my hope is that the 'unnatural' colors in which I clothe these works, will seep into the ancient stone and take on a life of their own.
This photograph of Socrates is my homage to John Baldessari.
What have I learned in making this work? The brute violence evident on Julia Mamaea’s head and the horrific disfigurements on almost every Greek and Roman sculpture brought me face to face with the history of intolerance that nearly obliterated the science, literature, and philosophy of antiquity. With Archaeology, I am hoping to restore the spirit and vivacity of the ancient world in all its beauty and complexity."
James Welling
New York City, 2020
James Welling (b. 1951) studied Fine Art at Carnegie-Mellon University and Modern Dance at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his MFA degree from the California Institute of the Arts in 1974. Over the past 40 years he has lived in New York and Los Angeles, where he was a professor in the Department of Art and Area Head of Photography at the University of California Los Angeles from 1995 – 2016. Since 2012 he has been a Lecturer with the rank of Professor in the Visual Arts Program at the Lewis Center for the Arts, Princeton University.
Surveys of Welling’s work have been held at museums throughout the United States and Europe including the George Eastman Museum, Rochester (2020); Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst, Ghent (2017); Henry Art Gallery, Seattle (2016); Brandywine River Museum of Art, Chadds Ford (2015); Art Institute of Chicago (2014-2015); Fotomuseum Winterthur (2013-2014); Hammer Museum, Los Angeles (2013-2014); Cincinnati Art Museum (2013); Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels (2002); The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (2001); Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus (2000); The Baltimore Museum of Art (2000); Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh (1998-1999); Kunstmuseum Luzern (1998); and Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo (1992).
Welling’s work has also been included in major museum exhibitions at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (2013, 2012); Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (2012-2013, 1988); Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford (2012); Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (2012, 2003-2004); Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2009); the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2008); Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2002, 1987); Kunsthalle Bern (1997, 1990); Denver Art Museum (1994); and Moderna Museet, Stockholm (1987).
