Crystal Wagner (b. 1982, Baltimore, Maryland ) received her MFA from the University of Tennessee in 2008 and her BFA from the Atlanta College of Art in 2004. After teaching as a college art professor for five years, Crystal left academia to focus exclusively on her studio practice, currently based in Los Angeles, California. Wagner’s interest in combining 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional forms, alternative use of materials, and hybrid approaches to printmaking, and massive site-specific installations, have led to her artwork being exhibited extensively in the U.S and abroad. Notable commissions include a large-scale installation for the internationally recognized band The Flaming Lips. a large shadow box for GNU a snowboard company out of Portland, OR, a large-scale installation piece for NIKE, presented in the Shrine Auditorium for The KOBE X Blackout Experience, and two installations for Viacom, one of which is a 117 ft piece at their headquarters in Times Square.
Originally trained as a printmaker, American artist Crystal Wager translates her organic and biomorphic designs into sprawling site-specific installations and colorful, bursting sculptures. Wagner’s process largely begins with a single mark, which she expands upon, developing new and consecutive shapes that seemingly multiply as they emerge.
Wagner’s interest in art began from early impressions on the natural world. As a child she started drawing imaginative birds, while years later during her studies, she spent four months in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, experiencing the diverse terrain of the elevated landscape, studying and drawing from nature in the backcountry. Wagner’s two- and three-dimensional works alike recalls such natural occurrences moss groves and dense forests, but rendered in an imaginative, bright, and neon palette. Her works are filled with a vibrant array of unique shapes, details, and textures.
Prelude to A Dream offers the public an opportunity to see some of the most important living contemporary artists in the nation. With time, Fort Works Art has slowly built a powerful roster of artists that is expansive and diverse. This exhibition will showcase these artists and offer the public an opportunity to be introduced to a wide range of new works, and see the caliber of artists who they would normally have to travel to an Art Fair or New York City to see.
With our physical gallery temporarily closed, we are focusing on our digital spaces to share the incredible work of our artists and allow our patrons to continue to experience this special group exhibition.
We are proud to host Prelude to A Dream as an online exhibition initiative that brings together 20 national and local artists that we are extremely proud to work with. We hope you enjoy!
SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS
Be sure to also view our No Commission online exhibition here.
We have launched this program for local artists in DFW, as well as several national artists we work with, where we are listing and selling works through our website on their behalf without taking a commission for the gallery. We have invited over a hundred local artists to participate and submit whatever pieces they would like, and we have been posting them all as they come in. It has been very important for us to find ways to support all local artists, even those we have not shown, during these extremely difficult times. Please email info@fortworksart.com for all inquiries.
Fort Works Art
2100 Montgomery Street
Fort Worth, Texas, 76107
