Tao Wells launches new Easier artist publication - Press Release Audio

A glossy new 72 page publication by Tao Wells, co-published with New Plymouth's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, celebrates the artist’s creative out-put over the last 30 years. Designed by Carla Schollum of White Fungus renown,

EASIER includes texts by the artist, Laura Wells, Murdoch Stephens and new writing by American author, critic and filmmaker Chris Kraus (author of the acclaimed novel/memoir I Love Dick [1997]).

EASIER documents Wells’ work as an artist from the late 1980s until today, a career encapsulated in the national attention received for The Beneficiary’s Office, a 2010 performance co-produced in Wellington between Letting Space and the artist’s own public relations agency, the Wells Group.

EASIER contributor Chris Kraus praised The Beneficiary’s Office as “a work of genius and New Zealand’s most scandalous art work ever” and “Bigger than Virgin in a Condom, more controversial than et.al’s Venice Biennial’s Fundamental Practice”.

EASIER surveys this moment and the wider field of Wells’ work including a pointed argument detailing New Zealand’s largest ongoing art fraud and a practical new economic solution to capitalism and being a capitalist – personal relationship co-ops.

 Publication commissioner Simon Rees, writes in the forward to EASIER, “… Wells pitched himself at systems and systemic culture. Reading this publication you’ll figure how lonely he and his art were. Then he conjoined and co-produced a nuclear family”.

Launch event

EASIER will be launched by the artist in Wellington at McLeavey Gallery (147 Cuba St) on Friday 10 August, 4pm to 6pm. Dunedin based Wells will be in attendance and complimentary copies of

EASIER will be available. About Tao Wells Tao Wells was born in the United States and raised in New Plymouth. He studied at the University of Canterbury and Wellington College of Education before teaching at Massey University. He was involved in the establishment of Enjoy Gallery, Wellington, and is a previous exhibitor at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery (most recently, Mostly Harmless, 2006). Today he’s a father of two and a co-partner of a civil union co-op with Laura Wells.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS: EASIER is also available for purchase at the Govett-Brewster Shop and online.

For an advanced copy, high-res images or further enquiries please contact: Kelly Loney Marketing and Communications M: +27 839 2660 E: kellyl@govettbrewster.com W: www.govettbrewster.com Facebook / Twitter / Instagram