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 paper on board, 37 1/2 x 47 1/2 inches. Private collection, Tokyo

Paca Landoj, 2012, acrylic on printed paper, 22 ½ x 30 inches

Riveroj, Lagoj, kaj Montoj, 2013-14, acrylic on printed paper, 22 1/2 x 30 inches. Private collection, Virginia

Fictio I, 2013, acrylic on printed paper, 22 1/2 x 30 inches. Collection of the Ewing Gallery of Art + Architecture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.