Merrill Wagner
Merrill Wagner (born 1935 Seattle, Washington) received her BA from Sarah Lawrence College and attended the Art Students League in New York City from 1959 – 1963. Wagner has exhibited her work extensively both nationally and internationally, her recent solo exhibitions include : Große Kunstschau Worpswede in 2019, Zürcher Gallery in 2019, Frieze Art Fair NY in 2018, The New York Studio School in 2016; and Konrad Fischer Galerie in Berlin, Germany in 2013. Wagner was also included in 1970’s Women and Abstraction curated by Dr. Barbara Stehle at Zurcher Gallery, NYC in 2016.
She was the recipient of the Andrew Carnegie Prize, National Academy of Design, the Academy Award in Art, American Academy of Arts and Letters both in 2006, and the Hassam Purchase Award, American Academy of Arts & Letters in 2002 amongst others.
Select Public collections include: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY), Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA; Chase Manhattan Bank, NYC; Coopers and Lybrand, Boston, MA; Gemeentemuseum , The Hague, Holland; Richard Gluckman, Architects, NYC; Long Island University, Brookville, NY; Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA; Nicolaysen Museum of Art, Casper, WY; Project Studios One, The Institute for Art and Urban Resourses, Long Island City, NY; Sears Arts Comission, Seattle, WA; Seattle Arts Comission, Seattle, WA; Seattle First National Bank, Seattle, WA; Smith College, Northampton, MA; Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA; University Museum at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL; Weatherspoon Art Gallery at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY; William Paterson College, Wayne, NJ.
Solo Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
Press
2019
Richardson, Jennifer, The Lafayette, “Artist Merrill Wagner honored at reception, artwork now on display at college permanently” December 2019
Morgan, Robert C., The Brooklyn Rail, "Merrill Wagner: Works from the 80s", April 2019
Cascone, Sarah and Goldstein, Caroline, Artnet News, 23 High-Energy Gallery Shows Opening in New York This March That You Won’t Want to Miss", March 6, 2019
2017
Fenstermaker, Will, The Brooklyn Rail, “What’s Left Behind”, July/August, pg 83
Micchelli, Thomas, Hyperallergic, “Merrill Wagner’s Puzzles in Color and Tape”
2016
Merrill Wagner, published by New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, with essays by
Tiffany Bell, “Merrill Wagner Amidst Chance and Order”, pg 6
Naomi Spector, “Merrill Wagner: Land and Time”, pg 12
Robert Storr, “Matters of Fact and of Vision”, pg 16
Lilly Wei, “Ephemera and Endurance: The Art of Paint, Stone, and Steel”, pg 22
and John Yau, “Paint and Pencil”, pg 28
2014
FiveMyles, FiveMyles, p. 22-36
2011
Parks, Steve. Newsday. “A Multimedia Exhibit of Flowers…” April 22, www.Newsday.com
2010
Newhall, Edith. The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Starring Stripes,” Oct. 24, p. H6
Sulcas, Roslyn. The New York Times. “When Styles Converge and Diverge,” March 30, p. C6
2009
Knafo, Robert. New Art TV. “Merrill Wagner,” Oct., www.newarttv.com/Merrill+Wagner
Kangas, Matthew. Art Ltd., “Merrill Wagner at Traver Gallery,” Sept./Oct., p.20
Hackett, Regina. Artsjournal.com., “Merrill Wagner - the astringent flourish,”
2008
La Rocco, Ben. The Brooklyn Rail. “Merrill Wagner” Nov., p.45
Modern Home. “Sundaram Tagore Gallery,” June, p.223
2007
Lovelace, Carrie. Art in America. “Merrill Wagner at Sundaram Tagore,” Nov., p.215
Wei, Lilly. ART News. “Merrill Wagner,” May, p.160
Newhall, Edith. Philadelphia Inquirer. “When Peach is Yellow…,” Oct. 26,
McAdams, Shane. The Brooklyn Rail. “Merrill Wagner: Flowers,” April, p.40
Powell, Dan. Mercury. “Hide and Seek,” Jan 31-Feb 5, pp.12-13
Siclen, Bill Van. Providence Journal. “One-person show at URI is a celebration…” Feb. 1, p.E7
Norris, Doug. South County Independent/NE Independent. “Winter Landscapes,” Jan. 11, pp.C1, C6
2006
Johnson, Ken. The New York Times. “For a Broad Landscape, An Equally Wide Survey,” May 31, p.E5
Heise, Rudiger. Applaus. “Galerie Renate Bender: Merrill Wagner, Uwe Jonas,” June, p.56
Enrique, Lucia. Seattle Times. “Visual Art and Poetry are Merely a Wall Apart,” April 23
2005
Leffingwell, Edward. Art in America. “Merrill Wagner at Sundaram Tagore,” December, pp.138-139
Schira, Ron. Reading Eagle. “Artist’s Abstract Paintings Alter the Landscape,” November 26, p.B9
The Brooklyn Rail, “Merrill Wagner with John Yau and Eve Ascheim”, Oct 2019
Strauss, R. B., Art Matters. “Merrill Wagner Steels Herself,” February, p.19
Fallon, Roberta and Rosof, Libby. Artblog.com “Wagner’s Rustoleum,” March 14
Graves, Jen. Proquest.com. “Art in Tacoma’s present links past with uncertain future,” January 26
2003
“Merrill Wagner,” Published by A.R.T. Press, New York, Edited by William S. Bartman, Essay by Lily Wei, Interview by Ann Messner and William S. Bartman, 2003
Frank, Peter. LA Weekly. “Merrill Wagner,” June 27 – July 3
The News Tribune South Sound. “Tacoma’s 1st High-Profile Gallery,” October 31, p.B1
Wagonfeld, Judy. Seattle Post Intelligencer. “Traver Gallery Opens Tacoma Branch,” November 7, p.16
2002
Boyce, Roger. Art In America. “Merrill Wagner at Stark,” October, p.159
Hall, Emily. The Stranger. “Visual Art: Visual Silence,” April 11
Anderson, Jack. The New York Times. “Dance Review; A Solo Influence in Group Works,” Jan. 18, p.32, section E
2001
Hackett, Regina. Seattle Post Intelligencer. “What’s on Display,” Feb 16, p.22
Hoffberg, Judith. Umbrella. “Oil and Water by Merrill Wagner,” vol 24 #2, August, p.51
Princenthal, Nancy. Art on Paper. “Artist’s Book Beat,” vol 5 #3, Jan/Feb, p.95
Wagonfeld, Judy. Seattlecitysearch.com. “New Paintings on Steel,” Galleries at a Glance, Jan
2000
Braff, Phyllis. New York Times. L.I. Edition, Art Reviews, “Punk and Bloat,” Molloy College Art Gallery,
Rockville Center, L.I., Dec. 10
Seidel, Miriam. Art in America, “Merrill Wagner at Larry Becker Contemporary Art,” April 2000, p.16
Anderson, Jack. New York Times, “With Movements Stepping to Flute, Cello, and Silence,” Feb. 28, Section E, p.28
Hamilton, Judy. Casper Star Tribune, “Wagner Steels the Show,” Feb. 17, section C, pp.1-2
Jowitt, Deborah. The Village Voice, “Unchartered Terrain,” Feb. 22
1999
Kangas, Matthew. Sculpture Magazine. “Merrill Wagner, William Traver Gallery,” June, vol. 18, No. 15, p.63
Schwabsky, Barry. The New York Times. “Abstract Introspection in 2 Distinct Styles,” New Jersey Section, |
On the Towns, Sunday Oct. 31, p.13
Sozanzki, Edward J. The Philadelphia Enquirer, “Rustoleum Never Sleeps,” Nov. 12
1998
Murdock, Robert. Review Magazine. “Scott Reynolds and Merrill Wagner,” April 1, 1998, p.10
1997
Princenthal, Nancy. On Paper. “Artist’s Book Beat,” vol 1, #5, May – June, pp.43-44
Harrison, Helen. The New York Times. “Better Color Through Chemistry,” Aug. 13, p.18
Hackett, Regina. The Seattle Post Intelligencer. “Merrill Wagner Merges Spirits,” June 17, pp.C1, C3
Smith, Cary. The News Tribune. Soundlife, “Reality in the Abstract,” June 29, pp.B1-2
Kangas, Matthew. The Seattle Times. “Merrill Wagner’s Stark Vision,” July 3, Tempo, p.G22
Clayton, Alec. The City Paper. “Surface Syntax,” Arts and Leisure, June 26, p.4, Tacoma, WA
Wagonfeld, Judy. Tacoma Weekly. “The Eclectic Life of an Artist,” July 10 – 17, vol VII Issue 25, pp.4-5
1996
Dorsey, John. The Sun. Baltimore, MD, “Too Much ‘Different’ Makes Show Uneven,” Jan 14. Arts section K, p.1
Heartney, Eleanor. Art in America. “Merrill Wagner at Stark,” April, p.115
Hackett, Regina. The Seattle Post Intelligencer. “What’s Happening,” May 24, p.15
Schwabsky, Barry. The New York Times. “Three Painters Add a Human Touch to Abstraction,” Sept. 22, New Jersey section, On the Town, p.14
Watkins, Eileen. Newark Sunday Star Ledger. “Artistic Trio’s Exhibitions Target the Natures of Time and Space,” October 6, Section 4, p.10
1995
Van Siclin, Bill. “Geometric Art Crosses Line of Convention,” The Providence Journal Bulletin, Feb. 10, Section D, Lifebeat, p.1
McLennan, Douglas. The News Tribune. “Art Walk Includes Look at Recent Museum Acquisitions,” Feb. 16, SL-11, Tacoma, WA
Princenthal, Nancy. The Print Collectors’ Newsletter. “Artist’s Book Beat.” vol XXVI, #2, May – June, p.71
Dorsey, John. The Sun. “Grimaldis Abstract Show in Beautiful Shape.” May 12, Baltimore, MD
1994
Smith, Roberta. The New York Times. Art in Review, “Artists’ Select, Part 1,” Jan 7, p.C23
Kangas, Matthew. The Seattle Times. “Wagner, Flavin Make Most out of Minimal Art,” March 7, Section F, p.1
Hackett, Regina, The Seattle Post Intelligencer. “Painter Puts Her Signature on Lyrical Abstraction,” March 23
1993
Kangas, Matthew. “Late Modernist Painting in the Pacific Northwest,” Modernism and Beyond: Women
Artists of the Pacific Northwest. Edited by Laura Brunsman and Ruth Askey, New York, Midmarch Arts Press, p.98
Zimmer, Williams. The New York Times (Connecticut Edition). “Industrial – Strength Sculpture with Economy – Size Politics,” March 28
Nathan, Jean. The New York Times. “Game, Set, and Perspective,” May 16, Styles p.9
1992
Bell, Tiffany. Artstudio. “Looking at Kelly’s Paintings Now,” Spring 24, pp.158-175
Massera, Jean-Charles. Arte Factum. “Merrill Wagner: Galerie l’A, Liege,” Feb-March, p.29
Heartney, Eleanor. Art in America. “Merrill Wagner at Stark,” Oct., p.147
1991
Princenthal, Nancy. The Print Collector’s Newsletter. “Artist’s Book Beat,” Vol. XXI, No.6, Jan-Feb., p.237
Heyting, Door Lien. NRC Handelsblad. “The Order Chaos, and Disappearing Process of Merrill Wagner,” Holland, July 18
Massera, Jean-Charles. Art Press, La Haye, “Merrill Wagner, Gemeentemuseum,” Nov., p.100
1990
Rice, Robbin. Philadelphia City Paper. “Cool Slate and Weathered Wood,” March 15-23
Hoffberg, Judith. Umbrella. “Notes on Paint,” vol. 13, #2, December, p.45
1989
Smith, Roberta. The New York Times. “Galleries Paint a Brighter Picture for Women,” April 14, p.C29
Brunsman, Laura. The Arts – Newsletter of the Kings County Arts Commission. “Decade of Abstraction: Expressionism,” August
Faust, Gretchen. Arts Magazine. “Merrill Wagner,” Sept., p.94
Nesbit, Lois. Artforum. “Merrill Wagner: Fawbush Gallery,” Oct., p.172
Mathieson, Karen. The Seattle Times. “Artists Speak Vibrant Visual Language,” Nov. 23, p.K3
1988
Raynor, Vivien. The New York Times. “At The Ben Shann, Surrealism’s Legacy.” Feb. 21, p.18
Higuchi, Shoichiro. Idea, “Merrill Wagner, Swimmer in the Stream of Time.” Tokyo, September, p.102
Kangas, Matthew. The Seattle Weekly. “Banned in Puyallup,” Nov. 29
1987
Hackett, Regina. The Seattle Post Intelligencer. “Paul Heald Paintings Line up a Spirited Struggle,” Nov. 16
“Lenore Gray Gallery Shows Abstracts by New York Artists.” Antiques and the Arts Weekly, Newton, Connecticut, Dec. 18, p.101
Kangas, Matthew. “Time Travelers,” The Seattle Weekly, Nov. 18, p.45
“News of the Print World: People and Places: American Abstract Artists’ 50th Anniversary Print Portfolio
1987,” The Print Collector’s Newsletter. May – June 1987. p.58
1986
Bell, Tiffany. Arts Magazine. “Merrill Wagner,” May, p.100
Brenson, Michael. The New York Times. “The Landscape Maintains its Hold on American Artists,” March 9, p.H33
Henry, Gerrit. Art In America. “Merrill Wagner at John Gibson,” Sept., p.139
1985
Artner, Alan. “Color Field Painting Returns in an Impressive Exhibition,” Chicago Tribune, Jan 18, section 7, p.10
Bell, Jane. “Abstract Painting, John Gibson,” Art News, Sept., p.142
Harrison, Helen. The New York Times,Long Island edition. “Treating the Canvas as an Object in Its Own Right,” March 3
Lyon, Christopher. The Chicago Sun Times. “Wandering Leads to Wonderland,” Jan. 18, p.47
Reynolds, Rosemary. The Tico Times.“The Arts,” San Juan, Costa Rica. Nov. 22
Wallach, Amei. Newsday. “Abstract Power,” Long Island, New York, Feb. 22
Zimmer, William. The NY Times. “At Squibb: A Display of How Little Change There Really Is,” July 28
1984
Donohoe, Victoria. Philadelphia Inquirer. “Is Abstract Painting Regaining Its Popularity?” Sept. 14
1983
Glueck, Grace. The New York Times. “A Group Exhibition Curated by Lucio Pozzi,” July 8
Westfall, Stephen. Arts Magazine. “Merrill Wagner/ Peter Brown,” March
1982
Cohen, Joelle. The Tacoma News Tribune. “NY Art Scene Lured Away Tacoma’s Merrill Wagner,” Aug. 8
Feinberg, Andrew. Venture Magazine. “Picking Up the Pieces in a Tight Art Market,” Dec., p.42
Glueck, Grace. The New York Times. “Group Show Celebrates Pollack Legacy in Art,” Sept. 10
The Tacoma News Tribune. “Merrill Wagner Works,” Sept. 17
Westfall, Stephen. Arts Magazine. “Recent Aspects of Allover,” Dec.
1981
Hafif, Marcia. Art in America. “Getting On With Painting,” April
Shirey, David. The New York Times, “Art Sampler,” Feb. 8
Skoggard, Rose. Art in America. “Merrill Wagner at Hal Bromm, May
Watkins, Eileen. The Star-Ledger, Newark, New Jersey, Jan. 25
Deschamp, Madeleine. La Peinture Americanine, p.266
1979
Glueck, Grace. The New York Times.“Painting,” Dec. 20
Larson, Kay. The Village Voice. “Art,” Dec. 24
Russell, John. The New York Times. “Art,” Dec. 14
Zimmer, William. Soho Weekly News. “Extensions of Form,” Dec. 13
1978
Bell, Tiffany. Arts Magazine. “Merrill Wagner,” Jan.
Frank, Peter. The Village Voice. “Schoolhouse Rock,” May 18
Lubell, Ellen. Soho Weekly News. “Installations,” Dec. 13
1976
Lubell, Ellen. Arts Magazine. “Merrill Wagner,” June
1974
Bell, Jane. Arts Magazine. “Grace Bakst Wapner and Merrill Wagner,” June
1972
Pincus-Witten, Robert. Artforum. “Merrill Wagner,” Feb.
1971
Bowles, Jerry. Art News. “Merrill Wagner,” Summer Issue
Brown, Gordon. Arts Magazine. “55 Mercer,” Summer Issue
The Soho Statement. “55 Mercer,” vol. 1, #1, Nov. 20