John Beech refers to himself as "the everyday reductionist." Using the humblest of materials, from car floor mats to raw plywood, he creates objects, many of them called rotating paintings, that are at the same time rough-hewn and elegant, intricately designed and straightforward, dead serious and subtly humorous.

His work falls into both categories of painting and sculpture. Many of his works are monochromatic, usually round, project from walls, and can be rotated on their ball bearing bases. Some of his projecting paintings are narrow, eight-feet long, and are anchored on one end to walls. Other paintings are glue paintings, made with Elmer's glue, and some are floor pieces called obstacles and rolling platforms.

Beech's w...