WILL CLOSE
Bio
Will Close’s studio practice explores landscape, nature and the relationships between earth and human life on both a local and global scale. A New England-based artist, originally from Concord, MA, his work takes the forms of realism, abstraction, and conceptual art, often in a collage or assemblage format. Additionally, he works with digital formats, installation and time-based media.
Artist Statement
Growing up in Concord, Massachusetts, a place steeped in rich early American history and significant natural beauty, I have developed a reverence for landscapes across New England and closer to home. This deep appreciation for life, community, place, and the history which ties it all together, is the driving force behind all of my creative projects.
Devoting years of study in wildlife tracking throughout the Northeast and immersing myself in numerous American wildernesses, I’ve developed a commitment to shifting from the “Nature versus man” point of view to embracing the biome mindset— seeing any community as inclusive of the naturally occurring flora and fauna that presently occupy any respective biome.
Mimicking the infinitely connected and faceted natural world, I work across disciplines, tracking disconnection while also supplying possibilities for reconnection.
By fusing historical research with hands-on field work, I seek to render Nature’s many integrated facets via three-dimensional paintings reminiscent of urban landscapes, found object assemblages, historical image collages, satellite imagery films, and watercolors of the natural world.
I focus on reconnecting myself and my community to Nature via on-site observational drawings or large scale watercolor and gouache paintings done in the studio.
Awards and Exhibitions
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA, Fine Art 2D Painting Department Honors, Spring 2021
Mt. Watatic property, Ashburnham and Ashby, MA, North County Land Trust’s Inaugural Four Seasons Artist Residency, Spring 2021-2022
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA, 32nd MassArt Auction, Lot 131: Chasm, (Constructed Illusions of Distant Nature Series), (Sold) Spring 2021
O'Keefe Sports Complex Salem State University, Salem, MA, Area Code: Video and Digital Art Drive-in Project Juried Exhibition by Dr. Leonie Bradbury: Bi-natural, Contemplating Local and Global Relationships to Nature (As Moisture and Ice Retreats to the North), Summer 2020
Yale Norfolk School of Art 2020 Finalist (canceled in response to Covid-19) 2020
House of Venus, Boston, MA, Cloud Land Juried Exhibition: From Terra to the Vault of Heaven (Incandescent Navigation series), Winter 2020
Student Life Gallery MassArt, Boston, MA, We the People Juried Exhibition: Blessing the Boats, Winter 2020
Keefe House at Woodman Museum Portsmouth, NH, Pine Tree Pop-Up Exhibit: Blue Bird, (Sold) Winter 2019
6 Bridges Gallery Maynard, MA, Through the Surface Juried Exhibition: Blue 1. People’s Choice Award, Summer 2019
Abigail Ogilvy Gallery Boston, MA, Fresh Faces Juried Exhibition: Consequence of the Human Mark, (Sold) Winter 2019
Concord Art Student/Teacher Show Concord, MA, Spring 2017
Painting and Drawing Merit Award, Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA, Spring 2019
Painting and Drawing Ambassador Award, Montserrat College Of Art, Spring 2019
Alumni Award for Artistic Excellence, Montserrat College of Art, Spring 2018
James Sawyer Award, Montserrat College of Art, Spring 2018
Montserrat Foundation Merit Award, Montserrat College of Art, Spring 2018
Crane Estate Art Show and Sale: Earth, Wind, Fire, & Water!, Ipswich, MA, Fall 2018
American Visions National Award Winner, SMFA Scholarship, Scholastic Art Awards Winning piece, Brainscape, shown in national traveling exhibit, 2015-2016
Gold Key Portfolio Winner Scholastic Art Awards, Winter 2015
Education
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, BFA FA2D Painting, 2019-2021
Montserrat College of Art, 2017-2019
Eight Shields Institute, Regenerative Community Building and Leadership, Bird Language, Summer 2018
White Pine Programs Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship, York, ME, 2016-2017
National Outdoor Leadership School, Adirondacks, Summer 2012
Mentorship
Anna Wilkins, Ecologist, Executive Director at North County Land Trust
Daniela Esponda, Professor, Biomimetic Industrial Designer, Executive Director Biomimicry Mexico
Robert N. Shapiro, Senior Consultant and Retired CEO of Ropes Wealth Advisors, Chairman of The Handel and Haydn Society Board of Governors, Former President of Peabody Essex Museum's Board of Trustees
Timothy Harney, Visual Artist, Drawing and Painting Professor
Dan Hansche, Nature Connection Mentor, Wildlife Track and Sign Specialist, Former Program Director of White Pine Programs
Dan Gardoqui, Nature Connection Mentor, Bird Language Expert, Wildlife Track and Sign Specialist, Founding Director of White Pine Programs, Founder & Principal at Lead with Nature
Scott Fairley, Outdoor Education Teacher, Nature Connection Mentor, Penn State PhD candidate
Todd Bartel, Visual Artist, Teacher, Professor, Curator and Gallery Director
All artwork copyright 2023 by Will Close