Doug Wheeler

Known for his immersive environmental spaces and his experiments with light, Doug Wheeler helped pioneer both the material and conceptual approach behind what is often referred to as the Light and Space movement. He has long been recognized by his peers as one of the movement’s most innovative figures, and the continued relevance and popularity of his work today is a testament to the lasting nature of his contribution. This monograph, the first book dedicated to Wheeler, includes extensive archival imagery from early on in the artist’s career, along with rich and immersive plates from his 2012, 2014, and 2016 shows at David Zwirner, along with his numerous projects both in the United States and Europe. The monograph is structured around a booklength essay by the renowned Italian art historian, Germano Celant, which provides background on the context in which Wheeler matured as an artist, and presents the first definitive history of his life and practice—from his early years to his most recent work. Also included are numerous excerpts from interviews conducted with many of Wheeler’s peers—Vija Celmins, Robert Irwin, and Larry Bell, among others—which situate him alongside the artists of his time, and provide insight into the important ways he influenced the development of West Coast art. Woven throughout the book, these quotations and excerpts begin to reveal a conversation previously unavailable in which Wheeler emerges as one of the most original artists of his generation. Designed by Radius Books, in close collaboration with both Wheeler and Celant, this publication not only fills a wide gap in the history of Light and Space, but is a vital contribution to the development of environmental art more generally. The unique subject matter, ambitious critical approach, and vibrant imagery make this monograph both a beautiful object for lovers of Wheeler’s work, and a crucial historical document on an artist whose significance is only just coming to light.