Lucy Pullen & Eleanor King "Out of Office"

Artists’ Book, Risograph edition of 100.

“Out of Office” was conceived of as a drawing that became a site-specific mural, and an art object that became an artist book. The initial image was designed by Eleanor King. The schematics were designed by Lucy Pullen. These documents were scaled up into a mural, and down into a book. Both King and Pullen’s versions mimic the complexity of the American political landscape. Lines intertwine. Blocks of color lock together and push apart.

“Out Of Office” refers as much to an automatic email reply as to the contemporary political climate. The 18 x 25 foot painting weaves together three words: OUT OF leaning to the right in blue, and OFFICE to the left in red. Further abstract images present multiple views of precise schematics. These graphics model the possibility of “Out Of Office” as a three-dimensional art object; a complex sculptural puzzle by Pullen.

The mural was on view at 41 White Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It was installed in September 2019 prior to US presidential impeachment hearings and remained on public view after the 2020 Presidential Election. The mural and edition were produced in strategic collaboration by Pullen and King, Canadian artists based in New York by way of Nova Scotia. In March of 2020, the message took on a new dimension as the Covid-19 pandemic upended our lives, at home and at work.

Printed by Risolve Studios, Lancaster PA.
ISBN 978-1-7357339-0-6

Dimensions:
5"x8", 36 pages including front and back cover

Materials:
Saddle stitched, 2-color risograph on Munken Polar Rough.

Artist Bios:
Lucy Pullen (b. 1971 Montrėal) grew up in Halifax, graduated from NSCAD in 1994 and has been making conceptually driven materially based work ever since. Her storefront studio LOVITT NYC is open to the public on weekends from noon to 5PM and by appointment in Ridgewood Queens.

www.lucypullen.com

Eleanor King is an artist with an interdisciplinary practice in video, sound, sculptural installation and painting. Eleanor’s research is concerned with the environmental impact of capitalist economic activities. Observing how our social, political, and physical landscapes are shaped, her work highlights existential issues we collectively face through an ethical lens. Her projects have been presented widely, supported by Fulbright, Canada Council for the Arts, Sobey Art Foundation, MacDowell and others. She has a BFA from NSCAD and MFA from SUNY Purchase.

www.eleanorking.com