Neon Book Paintings (Ongoing) (2026)
Neon highlighter on books, dimensions variable
Images courtesy the artist
Beginning the practice in 2016 with the intention of showcasing the books, Shirt started creating what he called ‘Neon Book Paintings’ in New York, California, and parts of Europe. Using a specific Stabilo Boss-brand neon highlighter, a ‘book painting’ is completed when the artist highlights the words, sentences, and passages in a book that stand out to him on his first read. The works were first shown in New York at Shirt’s 2021 exhibition Elsewhere, We Remain Unreadable at Key Club, where 21 books were laid out on a table in the center of the room. Five years later, for the Skowhegan New York Fall Symposium library (noun): a collection of books; a logic; a place for study; a universe, 30 books were shown, again with a small accompanying note at the head of the table reading, ‘Feel free to sit + read through,’ inviting viewers to do exactly that. Works in the series include books by Adrian Piper, Elena Filipovic, Man-Ray, Glenn Ligon, Legacy Russell, Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, Martine Syms, Kathryn Yusoff, Lindsay Gibson, Coco Fusco, Édouard Glissant, Tina M. Campt, R. Buckminster Fuller, Martin Herbert, Marcus Scott Williams, Freek Lomme, and many others.
Alongside the installation, Shirt premiered a new song in the intimate setting and read a new poem composed of highlighted passages, each drawn from a book on the table. During his presentation he also announced a walk around the block, inviting the audience of about twenty to join him, and many did.
Additional photos available at request
Neon highlighter on books, dimensions variable
Images courtesy the artist
Beginning the practice in 2016 with the intention of showcasing the books, Shirt started creating what he called ‘Neon Book Paintings’ in New York, California, and parts of Europe. Using a specific Stabilo Boss-brand neon highlighter, a ‘book painting’ is completed when the artist highlights the words, sentences, and passages in a book that stand out to him on his first read. The works were first shown in New York at Shirt’s 2021 exhibition Elsewhere, We Remain Unreadable at Key Club, where 21 books were laid out on a table in the center of the room. Five years later, for the Skowhegan New York Fall Symposium library (noun): a collection of books; a logic; a place for study; a universe, 30 books were shown, again with a small accompanying note at the head of the table reading, ‘Feel free to sit + read through,’ inviting viewers to do exactly that. Works in the series include books by Adrian Piper, Elena Filipovic, Man-Ray, Glenn Ligon, Legacy Russell, Jun’ichiro Tanizaki, Martine Syms, Kathryn Yusoff, Lindsay Gibson, Coco Fusco, Édouard Glissant, Tina M. Campt, R. Buckminster Fuller, Martin Herbert, Marcus Scott Williams, Freek Lomme, and many others.
Alongside the installation, Shirt premiered a new song in the intimate setting and read a new poem composed of highlighted passages, each drawn from a book on the table. During his presentation he also announced a walk around the block, inviting the audience of about twenty to join him, and many did.
Additional photos available at request