The Nothing That Is

CAM Raleigh (Contemporary Art Museum) is pleased to present The Nothing That Is: a drawing show in five parts curated by Bill Thelen. This extraordinary exhibition includes more then 85 local, national and international artists all exploring contemporary approaches to drawing, mark making and gesture. The Nothing That Is will be presented in five parts throughout the museum and also includes drawing projects in the community.

Chapter 1 DDDRRRAAAWWWIIINNNGGG in the Main Gallery curated by Bill Thelen and Jason Polan features a “do it yourself” approach to drawing with an emphasis on emerging artists, illustration, zines, economy, and building community through drawing. These artists’ works all utilize drawing as a prime strategy in their art-making process. Artists will be exhibiting collaborative and singular works embedded with their own unique drawing practices including Tedd Anderson, Joana Avillez, Amanda Barr, Tedd Barr, Chris Bogia, Elijah Burgher, Richard C, Robin Cameron, Ryan Travis Christian, Casey Cook, Daniel Davidson, Louise Despont, Mollie Earls, James Esber, Joy Feasley, Bill Fick, Nancy Ford, Sarah Gamble, Nathan Gelgud, Lincoln Hancock, EJ Hauser, Harrison Haynes, Kathleen Henderson, Jordin Islip, Rich Jacobs, Spencer Jacobs, Ken Kagami, Tricia Keightley, Thad Kellstadt, Victor Kerlow, Jeff Ladouceur, Lump Lipshitz, Oleg Lulin, Ryan Martin, Stefan Marx, Rich McIsaac, Hazel Meehan, Allyson Mellberg, Tristin Miller, Lee Misenheimer, Lavar Munroe, Kymia Nawabi, Tucker Nichols, Paul Nudd, Jason Osborne, Jason Polan, Tal R, Fernando Renes, Josh Rickards, Steve Reinke, Louis Schmidt, Christopher Schulz, Stewart Sineath, Damian Stamer, Paul Swenbeck, Megan Sullivan, Jeremy Taylor, Christopher Thomas, Derek Toomes, Michael Worful, James Ulmer, Todd Webb, Neil Whitacre, Eric White, Laura Sharp Wilson and Tyler Wolf.

Chapter 2 Conceptual Approaches in the Independent Weekly Gallery focuses on artists employing contemporary drawing strategies with nods to conceptualism, feminism, queer theory, formalism, video, performance, photography and art history featuring: Lauren Adams, Becca Albee, Leah Bailis, Lucas Blalock, Kellie Bornhoft, Blake Fall-Conroy, Joy Drury Cox, Steven Evans, Ray Johnson/Richard C, Alex Jovanovich, Gary Kachadourian, Pedro Lasch, Drew Robertson, Stan Shellabarger, elin o’Hara slavick, Deb Sokolow, Stacy Lynn Waddell and Amy White.

Chapter 3 Movement in the Independent Weekly Gallery will show video that reflects the principles of drawing. Videos will all be based on drawing and range from animation to performance. There will be several special screenings throughout the summer. Featured artists include David Colagiovanni, Jerstin Crosby, George Jenne, and Fernando Renes.

Chapter 4 Locals Only will feature capsule solo exhibitions by North Carolina artists. These “locals only” exhibitions will rotate throughout the exhibition space and feature regional artists that utilize drawing as a prime strategy in their art-making process including Carol Cole (June), Barbara Campbell Thomas (June), David Eichenberger (July), Chris Musina (July) and Tedd Anderson (August).

Chapter 5 Open Source explores social engagement by featuring projects that utilize collaborative art strategies that extend beyond the museum’s walls. Through community outreach and social practice, there will be opportunities for the community to be involved in the exhibition. Such projects as Jason Polan’s ongoing “Taco Bell Drawing Club” will unite artists of all abilities to draw in a non-hierarchical, non-judgmental setting. Other projects will include the CAM Young Artists Advisory Panel, The Drawn, Elsewhere, Pedro Lasch, Team Lump, Vegan Snake Club and Lee Walton.