Collage is the perfect medium for our fast-paced, information packed times. Since the beginnings with its first champions, Kurt Schwitters and Max Ernst, this humble art form has become the darling visual expression for writers. Recently, Pulitzer Prize winning poet John Ashbery received enormous attention for his collage show. Ashbery collaborated with fellow author and artist, the late Joe Brainard who headlines the show “Ripped and Torn” opening December 6th at 532 Gallery in Chelsea.

Most of the 22 artists in the show are writers themselves including poet/critic curators Valery Oisteanu and Jeffrey Cyphers Wright. PoetDavid Shapiro is a close associate of John Ashbery. Lewis Warsh is a publisher and poet who creates abstract grids using letters. Star Black recently showed her collages and accordion books at Zieher Smith Gallery. Bruce Weber is the Director of the National Academy Museum.

Amy Ernst, granddaughter of Max, is a consummate collagist, blending elements of figuration and abstraction. John Evans is the eminence gris of the collage movement in this country and shows regularly at Pavel Zoubek Gallery. His daughter India has caught the fever and creates charming visions using her trademark embroidered text.

Other artists in the show include Judy Rifka, Bob Heman, Madeline Weinrib, Tom Walker, Rakien Nomura, Micci Cohan, Sali Taylor,Charles Mingus III, Angelo Jannuzzi, Lucien Dulfan, Allan Sheinman, Toni Tiger and Luigi Cazzaniga.