B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 00
B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 01
Melvin Edwards

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART

Steel, Paper & Paint

15 September 2023 -
21 October 2023

opening on Friday,

15 September, 6-8pm

Melvin Edwards 

 

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART
Steel, Paper & Paint

 

15 September - 21 October 2023

 

We are pleased to announce Melvin Edwards’s second solo exhibition with Galerie Buchholz in Berlin. For this exhibition, Melvin Edwards produced new works on site at the gallery that include barbed wire (B wire, as the artist calls it), as well as chains in metal and wood.

 

Edwards began to use barbed wire and chains for his sculptural installations in the late 1960s. In 1970, he showed four of these works in an exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the first solo exhibition by an African-American sculptor at that institution. In the new sculptures and installations shown at Galerie Buchholz, Melvin Edwards renegotiated motifs and formal strategies from this earlier time. Alongside these pieces, the artist presents a group of works on paper from 1974 and 1982.

 

Melvin Edwards (born 1937) lives and works in New York. Currently on view at Dia:Beacon is an extensive exhibition focused exclusively on Melvin Edwards’s works with barbed wire and chains.

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 02
B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 03
B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 04

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

watercolor and ink on paper

50.8 x 66 cm

(framed: 54.2 x 69.3 x 3.5 cm)

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 05

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

watercolor and ink on paper

50.8 x 66 cm

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 06

Melvin Edwards

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART

Steel, Paper & Paint

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 07

Melvin Edwards

Maquette (Curtain on Possibility), 1970 - 2023

painted wood, hooks, mirrors, barbed wire, metal chain, 2 glass bottles, glass, spoon

133 x 227 x 96 cm

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 08

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, 2023

wooden hat form, wooden plate

18.5 x 15.5 x 19 cm
plinth: 155 x 23 x 25 cm

 

Untitled, 2023

wood discs, metal chains, spray paint, snap hook, metal hook, bolt, two nuts

21 x 23 x 24 cm
plinth: 155 x 23 x 25 cm

 

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 09

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, 2023

wooden hat form, wooden plate

18.5 x 15.5 x 19 cm
plinth: 155 x 23 x 25 cm

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 10

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, 2023

wooden hat form, wooden plate

18.5 x 15.5 x 19 cm
plinth: 155 x 23 x 25 cm

detail

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 11

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, 2023

wood discs, metal chains, spray paint, snap hook, metal hook, bolt, two nuts

21 x 23 x 24 cm
plinth: 155 x 23 x 25 cm

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 12

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, 2023

wood discs, metal chains, spray paint, snap hook, metal hook, bolt, two nuts

21 x 23 x 24 cm
plinth: 155 x 23 x 25 cm

detail

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 13

Melvin Edwards

Variation X, 1973 - 2023

3 cots, spray paint, metal chains, padlock, bolts, nuts, chain sockets, barbed wire strings, wood sticks, fabric

installation dimensions variable

detail

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 14

Melvin Edwards

Variation X, 1973 - 2023

3 cots, spray paint, metal chains, padlock, bolts, nuts, chain sockets, barbed wire strings, wood sticks, fabric

installation dimensions variable

detail

 

Untitled, c. 1974

watercolor, ink and spray paint on paper

48.5 x 64.5 cm

(framed: 53 x 68 x 3.5 cm)

 

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 15

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

watercolor, ink and spray paint on paper

48.5 x 64.5 cm

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 16

Melvin Edwards

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART

Steel, Paper & Paint

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 17

Melvin Edwards

Variation X, 1973 - 2023

3 cots, spray paint, metal chains, padlock, bolts, nuts, chain sockets, barbed wire strings, wood sticks, fabric

installation dimensions variable

detail

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 18

Melvin Edwards

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART

Steel, Paper & Paint

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 19

Melvin Edwards

Variation X, 1973 - 2023

3 cots, spray paint, metal chains, padlock, bolts, nuts, chain sockets, barbed wire strings, wood sticks, fabric

installation dimensions variable

detail

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 20

Melvin Edwards

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART

Steel, Paper & Paint

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 21

Melvin Edwards

Untitled (Belgian Congo), 2019 - 2023

barbed wire, 4 pairs of gloves, spray paint, clothes pegs, metal hooks

installation dimensions variable

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 22

Melvin Edwards

Untitled (Tribute to Benin), 2000

wood, paint, screws, connecting metal plates, nails

wall sculpture: 94 x 31 x 35 cm
floor sculpture: 31 x 72 x 91 cm

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 23

Melvin Edwards

Untitled (Tribute to Benin), 2000

wood, paint, screws, connecting metal plates, nails

wall sculpture: 94 x 31 x 35 cm
floor sculpture: 31 x 72 x 91 cm

detail

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 24

Melvin Edwards

Untitled (Tribute to Benin), 2000

wood, paint, screws, connecting metal plates, nails

wall sculpture: 94 x 31 x 35 cm
floor sculpture: 31 x 72 x 91 cm

detail

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 25

Melvin Edwards

Untitled (Tribute to Benin), 2000

wood, paint, screws, connecting metal plates, nails

wall sculpture: 94 x 31 x 35 cm
floor sculpture: 31 x 72 x 91 cm

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 26

Melvin Edwards

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART

Steel, Paper & Paint

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 27

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, 1969 - 2023

3 rusted metal chains

Ø 66 cm (height approx. 8 cm) 

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 28

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, 1982

spray paint and graphite on paper

76.5 x 101.5 cm

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 29

Melvin Edwards

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART

Steel, Paper & Paint

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 30

Melvin Edwards

Now’s the Time, 1970 - 2023

saxophone, two metal chains, snap hooks, nail, barbed wires, hooks

installation dimensions variable

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 31

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

spray paint on paper

58.4 x 88.9 cm

(framed: 61.7 x 92.7 x 3.5 cm)

 

Untitled, c. 1974

spray paint on paper

58.4 x 88.9 cm

(framed: 61.7 x 92.7 x 3.5 cm)

 

Untitled, c. 1974

spray paint on paper

58.4 x 88.9 cm

(framed: 61.7 x 92.7 x 3.5 cm)

 

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 32

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

spray paint on paper

58.4 x 88.9 cm

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 33

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

spray paint on paper

58.4 x 88.9 cm

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 34

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

spray paint on paper

58.4 x 88.9 cm

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 35

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

watercolor, ink and spray paint on paper

45.7 x 61 cm

(framed: 49.3 x 64.3 x 3.5 cm)

installation view

Galerie Buchholz, Berlin 2023

B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 36

Melvin Edwards

Untitled, c. 1974

watercolor, ink and spray paint on paper

45.7 x 61 cm

AnnouncementImagesTextList
B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 37B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 38B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 39B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 40B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 41B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 42B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 43B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 44B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 45B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 46B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 47B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 48B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 49B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 50B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 51B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 52B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 53B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 54B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 55B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 56B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 57B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 58B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 59B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 60B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 61B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 62B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 63B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 64B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 65B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 66B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 67B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 68B WIRE, BEWARE, ALL WAYS ART Steel, Paper amp Paint — Melvin Edwards — Exhibitions — Galerie Buchholz — Image 69