William Bennett Gallery - Heather Guess

About the Artist

Heather Guess

Heather Guess is an American multi-media artist whose works are comprised of drawing, video, and photography. Her most prominent work portrays a combination of abstract and representational imagery. Like clues to a puzzle, Guess's work provides hints and familiar references that elude to the whole. Thorough various aesthetic choices of cropping, Guess presents a new perspective on how objects are seen.

Guess has a BFA from Kent State University and a dual Masters in Modern and Contemporary Art and the History of the Art Market from Christie’s Education in New York. She has also studied Photography, Video and Design at the Cleveland Institute of Art as well as in Italy. Additionally, Guess’s work has been included in various local group shows including Artist Space. As an extension of her artwork, Guess has co-curated numerous exhibitions featuring works by select artists Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Bill Viola, Bernadette Corporation, and Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle. Guess is also an avid collector of Chinese Contemporary Art. During her recent trip to China she met with both emerging and established Chinese artists, forged relationships with galleries in the 798 District, and attended Art HK 2011. This trip was also the inspiration for her latest body of work.

Sable Mouvant (1966)
Published by Louis Broder, Picasso illustrated these etching and aquatints as homage to the fascinating poem by Pierre Reverdy. Sable Mouvant (quicksand) is set in the desert and relates to a number of psychological struggles and hallucinations. The works by Picasso elegantly depict Reverdy뭩 intentions and remove the viewer from reality to expose the inner turmoil of a helpless man and his surroundings. Examples of this suite can be found in the Picasso Museum, Barcelona.

Le Cocu Magnifique (1966)
Le Cocu Magnifique (The Splendid Cuckold) is an illustration of the 1921 play by Belgian playwright and friend of Picasso, Fernand Crommelynck. The title refers to the cuckoo bird female who commonly lays her eggs in other nests and the play revolves around the tribulations of love and adultery. These works divulge in Picasso뭩 use of erotic sequences; making use of his dramatic line and mastery of aquatint. Consistent with many works in his later years, we often see reflections of an autobiographical quality within the suite.