For the February installment of Spotlight Series, I had the opportunity to speak with Will Whitney. I was introduced to Will via Instagram by Sebastian Jean who you all may remember from our October feature. I met Will late last year when I was strolling around galleries on the Lower East Side, and now have had the honor to speak with him for Oil and Threads. I wanted to feature Will on Oil and Threads as we have some similarities with spending time between Italy and New York, and both being exposed to Art at a young age. However, one of the big differences is he had the pleasure of growing up with two magnificent artists as parents. Will now lives and works in New York City, creating his path in the Arts through writing and working in galleries! I hope you all enjoy, and tune in to my Instagram to see the pieces of art Will picked for me to style this week from our recent trip to the MoMA.
Oil and Threads: What made you want to decide that you also wanted to be a part of this world? Are there particular aspects of it that you want to help change?
Will Whitney: I spent most of my childhood and adolescence around musicians, artists, and poets. I always appreciated how unique that was, but I didn’t know I wanted to actually be a part of the art world until I left all of those people behind and went off to college up in Waterville, Maine. Colby [College] has a wonderful art program and a gorgeous museum on campus, which I was lucky enough to spend lots of time in during my four years there. Slowly over the course of my time in Maine, I began to realize how important and impactful my childhood experiences of roaming art museums and listening to poetry had been. Ultimately, when I came back to New York following graduation, I knew I wanted to work in the art world in some capacity, and I’ve been exploring different aspects ever since.
In regard to changing the art world…. I’d like to help in the continuation of breaking boundaries in regards to who is considered “welcome”, whether that be socially or financially. I think the more people who are able to feel like they belong or have a place in the arts, the better.
O&T: Spending most of your time between different areas of Italy and New York, both being cultural hubs in their own regards. I wanted to ask you about your time in Italy, as I don't meet too many people who are in the contemporary art world who spend or have spent a lot of time in Italy. When I was studying in Rome, most people I met were studying either Baroque or the arts of the Renaissance.
How would you say spending time between Italy and New York has affected your appreciation and love of art? What are some traits or aspects of Italy that perhaps you have brought to your career in New York?
WW: I think my time in Italy instilled me with a conviction regarding great art’s ability to remain relevant over time. Over there it seems that there’s that cultural appreciation for the arts. To be involved in the arts is a real honor in my opinion. Also, my time in Italy gave me an appreciation for the small things in life...an enjoyable cup of tea in the afternoon or a good meal for lunch or dinner. These are not things to be rushed but rather to be enjoyed. I try to balance that appreciation with an avid work ethic, something which is undoubtedly American. I believe it gives me a good work-life balance, even in covid!
O&T: After spending some time reading some of your features in the Brooklyn Rail, you write about art in a very approachable and digestible way. In your writing, you give context and explore with your reader, which I felt especially with your review of Nina Chanel Abney's shows 'Safe House' and 'Seized the Imagination'. I personally have always felt very intimated about reading about art and feel that art critics tend to create a space to challenge the viewers knowledge prior to engaging with the writing. As an art critic and writer, what do you want to portray in your writing?
WW: I would say one of the differences in my writing compared to any other art writer or critic, is that I didn’t come into writing from an art history background. I was a government (political science) major in college, and I’d like to think that gives my writing a sense of directness that maybe one wouldn’t get elsewhere. In my writing, I really try to portray my thoughts and emotions in a very simple manner. As you see in the works I’ve chosen, I find that mastering the simple things is key. There’s this word in italian, Sprezzatura, which refers to a casual elegance in which one’s appearance or mode of being. That’s generally what I strive for. There is a level of mastery required in making things appear effortless that I find to be so rewarding.
O&T: I saw on your instagram stories a couple months back that you had a studio visit with Reginald Sylvester II. Which I thought was cool to share a moment of your visit, as at times it can feel almost impossible to get to interact with artists either due to their galleries or how this industry can make people feel on the outside. I wanted to ask you about who are some of your favorite artists at the moment that you are really excited about?
WW: Yes! My visit with Reggie was wonderful. I was actually introduced to the work through a friend and then had the pleasure of meeting Reggie at one of his recent openings. Shout out to Reggie again for the invite over, I love what he’s doing right now and I’m super excited for the world to see his latest work. Studio visits are always something I treasure, especially with younger artists where the conversation can really focus on what the future holds.
I’ve been spending a lot of time with Mary Heilmann’s work—her last show at Hauser & Wirth was fantastic. She’s another example of someone doing so much with seemingly so little.
A few other of my favorite artists include Philip Guston, Brice Marden, Al Taylor, Gordon Parks, Joan Mitchell, Theaster Gates, Robert Rauschenberg. Obviously, my parents, Stanley and Marina, as well. David Hammons...the list goes on and on.
In terms of “younger” artists I’ve been following Reggie for some time, as well as Alteronce Gumby and Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola. Anthony has a show up right now at False Flag, that I’m eager to see. Covid has made it a bit harder to see new work in person, but I’m always looking for new artists or artists whose work I’m not as familiar with.
O&T: Last but not least. I have to ask as this is a space of the love of Art and Fashion,who are some of your favorite designers?
WW: Duro Olowu, first and foremost, I love what he does with color, patterns, and shapes. Definitely become familiar if you’re not already.
Then, in terms of menswear I'd say Massimo Osti—who founded both C.P. Company and Stone Island—and Nazareno Fonticoli & Gaetano Savini, the founders of Brioni.