The Neon Museum in Las Vegas has named Thomas Putzier, a queer Minneapolis-based conceptual artist and designer, as its seventh Artist in Residence. According to the press release, he will focus on the role neon signage has played in serving as visual representatives of “expression, personality and leisure.“
“I plan to explore the way this design iconography has impacted the field of architecture,” says Thomas Putzier, in a press release. “In my solo show, I will highlight sci-fi futuristic space-age forms and geometry, from the design history of Las Vegas, by collaging their elements into completely new works of art.”
Putzier was selected from a record number of submissions. In a press release, Carmen Beals, 2022 guest Artist in Resident juror, associate curator and outreach director for the Nevada Museum of Art, says, “His prior geometric sculptures are fun, brightly colored and flamboyant, which match the expectations of this great city.”
Putzier will visit Las Vegas for an introductory week in September. During that time, he will have the opportunity to explore the city and learn more about its cultural and architectural history. At the end of the year, he will return to Las Vegas to create new work during the six-week residency period, culminating in a solo exhibition at The Neon Museum.
The Neon Museum residency program supports the museum’s mission to cultivate the arts and further cultural enrichment. Resident artists are selected by a dedicated jury team from the museum’s staff. Each year, the program includes community engagement, like workshops and artist talks.
To learn more about The Neon Museum and its Artist in Residence program, visit www.neonmuseum.org.