April 10 – July 20, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 10, 5:30 – 7 pm
Guy Nelson will be present to speak about the exhibition
Gallery Talk and Discussion with the artist: Saturday, May 17, 2 pm
Guy Nelson’s Tales from the Understory is the tenth exhibition in the Museum’s “Art Makers Series,” which is underwritten by Dr. William F. Wosick of West Fargo. The Art Makers is awarded annually to a regional artist, or artist with connections to the region, to allow them to create new bodies of work based on a singular idea or theme.
Guy Nelson is drawn to the natural world and advocates for the environment. Nelson’s work explores plants’ challenges, drawing parallels to human experiences and highlighting self-preservation, community, and adaptability. Nelson often reflects on forests and prairies as places rich with mystery and discovery.
Nelson prefers using acrylic paint on linen, enhanced by acrylic mediums for fluidity. Acrylic spray paint helps create a vibrant surface that reflects the complexity of the outdoors. Through layers, brush strokes, and color placement, Nelson aims for viewers to slow down and, by focusing, experience an unfolding where the paintings give back, much like the natural world.
The real and fictional stories surrounding the forest, like campfire tales and personal experiences, captivate Nelson. He incorporates these narratives into his work. Recently, Nelson began depicting youth in his paintings, a natural evolution motivated by his two young daughters.
For Nelson, the natural world connects him to something greater. By managing woodlands and prairies, Nelson practices land stewardship and views his actions on the land as tied to his studio work.
The exhibition features the artist’s paintings, sculptures, and a video that explore the discovery and mystery of the outdoors, referencing the woodlands and prairies of the upper Midwest.
Nelson lives and works in Minneapolis, Minnesota; he holds an MFA from Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY). His work has been exhibited in notable group exhibitions at galleries such as 5-50 Gallery, NY: WICK, Minneapolis, MN; Transmitter Gallery, NY; Field Projects, NY; the Java Project, NY; Burnette Gallery, Woodstock, NY; Peninsula, NY, NY and solo exhibitions at Transmitter Gallery, NY; ChaShaMa, NY; UICA in Grand Rapids, and currently has a solo exhibition on view through July 27 at WICK in Minneapolis, MN. His work is also in private collections throughout the United States.
Recent Exhibitions
5-50 Gallery, LIC, NYC, through August 11, 2024 (PRESS RELEASE)
WICK, Minneapolis, MN, through July 27, 2024 (IMAGES AND PRESS RELEASE)
