Will Stovall's German Debut at DREI, Cologne Explores Surveillance Through 17th-Century Lens

Will Stovall is showcasing his inaugural exhibition in Germany at DREI, Cologne, inspired by Luis Vélez de Guevara's 17th-century work featuring a devil that uncovers private lives by lifting roofs. His acrylic and watercolor canvases reinterpret the dynamics of surveillance, a theme that Guevara notably overlooks. Stovall's pieces engage with Diego Velázquez's 'Las Meninas,' exploring the complexities of optical perception and the interplay of technology with visibility and illusion. Born in 1983 in Washington, D.C., he earned an MFA from Bard College and a PhD from Yale University, focusing on Jürgen Habermas. He has spoken at institutions like the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Princeton. Upcoming solo exhibitions include 'Lifeworld Variations' at Château Shatto, Los Angeles (2025), and 'Kant Crisis' at Ulrik, New York (2024).