EARLY OVERPAINTINGS
While the maps in Atlas are heavily annotated, Quest [the name of an exhibition of Overpaintings] the takes the opposite tack. Here, Mills starts with colonial maps (and Mills makes the point that most maps, in some way, contain evidence of colonization and conquest). These are reworked in ways that transform text – including place names, keys and ancillary information - into abstract forms and colors according to rules and systems that he chooses not to divulge. The eye-catching results are reminders of the artifice of all mapping systems.
–Eleanor Heartney, “Dan Mills – The Will to Power” essay, Dan Mills: Quest & US Future States Atlas and related material catalogue, Chicago Cultural Center & Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, 2012
Road Map, 2012, acrylic on printed map laid down on board, 37 1/2 x 47 1/2 inches. Private collection, Tokyo
Paca Landoj, 2012, acrylic on printed map on paper, 22 ½ x 30 inches
Riveroj, Lagoj, kaj Montoj, 2013-14, acrylic on printed map on paper, 22 1/2 x 30 inches. Private collection, Virginia
Fictio I, 2013, acrylic on printed map on paper, 22 1/2 x 30 inches. Collection of the Ewing Gallery of Art + Architecture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Hemispheres, 2012, acrylic on printed map on paper, 22 ½ x 30 inches
1462-1914 & 1914-1939, 2012, acrylic on printed map laid down on board, 40 x 49 inches
City State 5, 2012, acrylic on printed map on paper, 22 ½ x 30 inches
Overpainting Unknown, 2013, acrylic on printed map on paper, 15 x 11 1/4 inches
Hemisphere, 2012, acrylic on printed map laid down on board, 68 x 48 1/2 inches
Artist Statement (English), 2012, acrylic and ink on paper, 30 x 22 1/2 inches. Collection of BMO Harris Bank, Chicago
Artist Statement (Esperanto), 2012, acrylic and ink on paper, 30 x 22 1/2 inches. Collection of BMO Harris Bank, Chicago
Erasure (Cool), 2012, acrylic on printed map on paper, 22 ½ x 30 inches
Erasure, (Warm), 2012, acrylic on printed map on paper, 22 ½ x 30 inches
Bleed (172 169), 2011, watercolor and ink on printed maps on paper, 22 ½ x 15 inches
Bleed (52), 2011, watercolor and ink on printed map on paper, 15 x 11 1/4 inches