Neon Book Paintings (2016-ongoing)  

Neon highlighter on books, dimensions variable
Images courtesy the artist

Beginning the practice in 2016 with the intention to show the books, Shirt started making what he called ‘Neon Book Paintings’ in New York, California, and Europe. Using a specific Stabilo Boss neon highlighter, a ‘book painting’ is complete when Shirt highlights the words, sentences, and passages in a book that have jumped out to him on his first read. Shown for the first time in NYC at Shirt’s Elsewhere, We Remain Unreadable exhibit, twenty-one (21) books were laid out on a table in the center of the room along with chairs. A post-it note at the head of the table read ‘Feel free to sit + read through,’ as viewers were encouraged to do exactly that.

Additional images available upon request

Mark