Nicolas Party
Nicolas Party (b. 1980, Lausanne, Switzerland) works across the disciplines of painting, drawing, sculpture, and performance. Frequently rendered in soft pastel and blended by hand, his androgynous, biomorphic subjects challenge the normative codes of representational painting. Party’s lustrous, jewel-toned works skew perspective and expand his fantastical settings beyond the picture plane. The artist’s fascination with the natural world, and the characters that inhabit it, reveal his interest in the art historical legacies of Classical antiquity, Renaissance painting, late nineteenth-century Romanticism, and twentieth-century figurative painting. Party lives in New York.
Recent solo exhibitions include The Warehouse, Dallas (2024); Hoam Museum of Art, Yongin, South Korea (2024); Kaufmann Repetto, Milan (2024); Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden, Germany (2023); The Green Family Art Foundation, Dallas (2023); Xavier Hufkens, Brussels, Belgium (2023); Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan (2022); Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (2022); Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, DC (2021–22); Le Consortium, Dijon, France (2021); Kunsthalle Marcel Duchamp, Cully, Switzerland (2021); MASI Lugano, Switzerland (2021); M Woods Museum, Beijing (2018); Magritte Museum, Brussels (2018); Hammer Museum, Los Angeles (2016); and Dallas Museum of Art (2016). Party’s work is represented in the collections of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo; Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris; M+ Museum, Hong Kong; Menil Collection, Houston; Morgan Library & Museum, New York; and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, among other institutions.
Nicolas Party and Surrealism: An Artist’s Take on the Movement will open at the Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, New York on April 10, 2025.
Photographer: Juliana Sohn
Born 1980 Lausanne, Switzerland
Lives in New York
Education
2009
MFA, Glasgow School of Art, United Kingdom
2004
BFA, Lausanne School of Art, Lausanne, Switzerland
Selected Solo and Two-Person Exhibitions
2024
The Warehouse, Dallas, Nicolas Party: Ewe in the Field
Hoam Museum of Art, Yongin, South Korea, Dust
Kaufmann Repetto, Milan, Seahorse
2023
Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden, Germany, Nicolas Party: When Tomorrow Comes
The Green Family Art Foundation, Dallas, Nicolas Party: Landscape
Hauser & Wirth, New York, Swamp
The Modern Institute, Glasgow, Scotland, Cretaceous
The Frick Collection, New York, Nicolas Party and Rosalba Carriera
Xavier Hufkens, Brussels, Belgium, Cascade
2022
Hauser & Wirth, Hong Kong, Red Forest
Poldi Pezzoli Museum, Milan, Triptych
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, L’heure mauve
2021-22
Karma, New York, Watercolor
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C., Draw the Curtain
2021
Kestner Gesellschaft, Hannover, Germany, Stage Fright
Le Consortium, Dijon, France, Boilly
Kunsthalle Marcel Duchamp, Cully, Switzerland, Heads and Cave
MASI Lugano, Switzerland, Rovine
2020
Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles, Nicolas Party: Sottobosco
2019
Xavier Hufkens, Brussels, Grotto
Marciano Art Foundation, Los Angeles, Trees
Marble House, Newport, Nicolas Party: MARBLE GHOSTS, curated by Dodie Kazanjian
The Modern Institute, Glasgow, Polychrome
2018
M Woods Museum, Beijing, Arches
Magritte Museum, Brussels, Magritte parti
The Modern Institute, Aird’s Lane Green Space, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Head
Gregor Staiger, Zurich, Heads
Kaufmann Repetto, Milan, Pietra Dura
2017
Karma, New York, Pastel
Gallery MET, Metropolitan Opera, New York, Dinner for 24 Sheep
Xavier Hufkens, Brussels, Three Seasons
Hirschhorn Museum, Washington DC, sunrise, sunset
Modern Art Oxford, United Kingdom, Nicolas Party: Speakers
2016
Palazzo Antinori, Florence, Italy, Nicolas Party in the Garden Room
Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, Hammer Projects: Nicolas Party
Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, Pathway
The Modern Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Three Cats
Centre d’art Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Cimaise
Glasgow Print Studio, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Mezzotint
Neuchâtel International Film Festival – Centre d’art Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Sorcières et escargots; with Jesse Wine
RISE Projects, London, Snails in Notting Hill; with Jesse Wine
2015
kaufmann repetto, Milano, Italy, Snails’ Chapel
SALTS, Birsfelden, Switzerland, Panorama
Inverleith House, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Boys and Pastel
kaufmann repetto, Milano, Italy, Two Naked Women
Centre culturel suisse, Paris, Pastel et nu
2014
Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster, Germany, Trunks and Faces
Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn, Germany, Three Elephant’s Day
Kunsthall Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway, Landscape
Galerie Gregor Staiger, Zurich, Pastel
David Dale Gallery, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Carrot Stairs
2013
The Modern Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Still Life Oil Paintings and Landscape Watercolours
Davel 14, Cully, Switzerland, Cully Jazz: Nicolas Party
2012
Salon 94 Freemans, New York, Dinner for 24 Dogs
Gregor Staiger, Zurich, Still Lifes and Big Naked Women
Swiss Institute, New York, Still Life, Stones and Elephants
2011
Remap 3, Athens, Greece, Still Life, Gold and Peeling Paint
The Modern Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Dinner for 24 Elephants
The Woodmill, London, Elephants at the Woodmill
Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn, Germany, Three Elephant’s Day; performance with Serge Vuille
Doll Espace D’Art Contemporain, Lausanne, Switzerland, Charlotte; with Stephane Devidal
2010
Le Rez de Chaussee, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Elephants, spoons and sausage rolls
Collective Gallery, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, New Work Scotland
Intermedia, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Teapots and Sausages
La Placette, Lausanne, Switzerland, Teapots, Bread and Sausages
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025
Musée Jenisch Vevey, Vevey, Switzerland, Hommage à Félix Vallotton
Galerie Gregor Staiger, Zürich, Switzerland, Tribute to a Lake
2024
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, Infinite Regress: Mystical Abstraction from the Permanent Collection and Beyond
Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield, UK, Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes
70 Main Street, Thomaston, Maine, A Particular Kind of Heaven
Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica in collaboration with Aïshti Foundation, Palazzo Barberini, Rome, Day for Night: New American Realism, curated by Massimiliano Gioni and Flaminia Gennari Santori
Kunsthaus Zürich, Switzerland, APROPOS HODLER
2023
Level & Co, New York, Into Another World
Hauser & Wirth, New York, Exemplary Modern: Sophie Taeuber-Arp with Contemporary Artists
The Modern Institute, Glasgow, UK, Cretaceous
Parker Gallery, Los Angeles, Wishing Well
Gowen Contemporary, Geneva, Switzerland, REVIVAL I – XVIIIe siècle
Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, Dix and the Present
2022
Margot Samel, New York, To be a giant and keep quiet about it
Art & Newport, Isaac Bell House, Newport, Rhode Island, Pictus Porrectus
David Zwirner, New York, For Keeps: Selected Parkett Editions 1984-2017
Acquavella Galleries, Palm Beach, FL and New York, Unnatural Nature: Post-Pop Landscapes
LACMA, Los Angeles, Artists Inspired by Music: Interscope Reimagined
Alexander Berggruen, New York, The Natural World: Part I
2021
Tif Sigfrids, New York, Eau de Vallotton
Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, Rome, Italy, Museum for Preventive Imagination
FLAG Art Foundation, New York, and I will wear you in my heart of heart
Le Consortium, Dijon, L’Almanach 20
Foundation de l’Hermitage, Lausanne, Switzerland, Hans Emmenegger
Galerie Gregor Staiger, Zürich, Switzerland, yes. this is how we pierce the vault of heaven
The Hole, New York, Nature Morte
2020
Karma, New York, (Nothing but) Flowers
Kaufman Repetto, Milan, vent’anni – twenty years
Hauser & Wirth, New York, Artists for New York
Museo Jumex, Mexico City, Colección Jumex. On the Razor’s Edge
The Zënza Sëida Cultural Association and the Biennale Gherdëina, Dolomites, Italy, Biennale Gherdëina 7
Kunsthaus Zürich, Zürich, Shall und Rauch
McCabe Fine Art, New York, Figures and Faces. A McCabe Pop Up Exhibition in New York
2019
GRIMM Gallery, New York, Away in the Hill
The FLAG Art Foundation, New York, Nicolas Party. Pastel, curated by Nicolas Party
Phillips, London, HYSTERICAL
2018
Mendes Wood DM, Brussels, Nightfall, curated by Erika Verzutti, Fernanda Brenner and Milovan Farronato
Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Deurle, Belgium, The Biennial of Painting
Herald St, London, Use Your Illusion
Jessica Silverman Gallery, San Francisco, Open House
Parkett @ Nomad St. Moritz, Samedan, Switzerland, SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
Frac Lorraine, Metz, France, You Remind Me of Someone
Fondation de l’Hermitage, Lausanne, Switzerland, Pastels du 16e au 21e siècle
Fondation Vincent Van Gogh Arles, Arles, France, La Vie simple – Simplement la vie
2017
Künstlerhaus Bremen, Bremen, Wie werden wir uns wiedererkennen, curated by Fanny Gonella
2016
S.M.A.K., Ghent, Belgium, These Strangers… Painting and People
Galerie Patrick Seguin, Paris, Olympia; organized by Karma, New York
Inverleith House, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, I still Believe in Miracles
König Galerie, Berlin, Surreal
Kunsthalle Emden, Germany, VITAMINBOMBE Früchtebilder von Picasso bis Warhol
2015
Shanaynay, Paris, Full House
Salon 94, New York, Tiger Tiger
Antinori nel Chianti Classico, Cantina del Bargino, Italy, STILL-LIFE Remix
artgenève Art Fair, Geneva, Switzerland, Prix Mobilière
Shanghai Himalayas Museum, Shanghai, China, Poster Club: Wheat, Mud, Machine
2014
Milan, Italy, THENnow, Miart
Natalia Hug Gallery, Cologne, Germany, I’m so green
Kumu Art Museum, Tallinn, Estonia, I’m a Painting
2013
Neues Museum, Nürnberg, Germany, /prospekt/ Funktion / Disfunktion – Kunstzentrum Glasgow
Gavin Brown’s enterprise, New York, Uri Aran, JWDB, Nicolas Party
Glasgow Print Studio, United Kingdom, 40/40
Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn, Germany, IHRE GESCHICHTE(N)
Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany, Just What Is Not Is Possible – Painting in Space
The Bothy Project at the Walled Garden, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 157 Days of Sunshine
2012
Frieze Art Fair, London, Frieze Projects 2012
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, CARPETS OF DISTINCTION
Gregor Staiger, Zurich, Switzerland, The Best of Times
R4, Ile Seguin, Paris, Allez-y
The Duchy Gallery, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Arrives In Starting
2011
Eastside Projects, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Painting Show
Eastside Projects, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Poster Club
Glasgow Print Studio, United Kingdom, Poster Chaud
GOMA, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Blueprint for a Bogey
Travelling Gallery, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Draw in
The Royal Standard, Liverpool, United Kingdom, Elephants at The Royal Standard
2010
Le Quartier Centre d’Art Contemporain, Quimper, United Kingdom, Air de jeux
Mary Mary, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Interference with twigs
The Glue Factory, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Kiss of death
Temporary Space, Glasgow, United Kingdom, The Show in the Shoe
2009
Project Room, Glasgow, United Kingdom, Gazing Ball
Tramway, Glasgow, United Kingdom, MFA Show
APS Artnews project+Twinspace, Berlin, Set up and go
Plateaux Festival Mousonturm, Frankfurt, The Complete World History of Terrorism as it is Known Today + Solution
Festival les Urbain, Arsenic, Lausanne, Switzerland, The Complete World History of Terrorism as it is Known Today + Solution
2008
Galerie Analix, Geneva, Fertiles differences
The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition
Kunstalle, Ligenthalle, Switzerland, Unter < 30
Messe, Basel, Switzerland, Swiss Art Award
2007
Ford, Geneva, Switzerland, Blakadama
Docks, Lausanne, Switzerland, Les Urbaines
Ford, Geneva, OB zine
Centre Pasquart, Bienne, Switzerland, Unter < 30
Ford, Geneva, Switzerland, Wunder stanza
2006
Espace Bellevaux, Lausanne, Switzerland, Blakam madame 2
Circuit, Lausanne, Switzerland, Mini golf
Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland, Viper Basel
2005
La Rusille, Vallorbe, Switzerland, Elle procure des plaisirs qui n’ont rien à voir avec le plaisir de se gratter
Park Tower Hall, Tokyo, Swiss Videolandscape Today | lopped sensations
Goethe-Institute, Kyoto, Swiss Videolandscape Today | lopped sensations
2004
Arsenic, Lausanne, Switzerland, Cinquième partie
2003
Mudac, Lausanne, Switzerland, Désire Design
Centro Cultural Conde Duque, Madrid, MediaSpace Suiza
Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland, Viper Basel
2002
Plug.in, Basel, Switzerland, Viper 22 replay 2
Commissions and Permanent Installations
2024
Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy, Artists at Le Sirenuse
2021
Hirschhorn Museum, Washington D.C., Draw the Curtain
2020
RxArt, Los Angeles Children’s Hospital
2017
Metropolitan Opera, New York, Dinner for 24 Sheep
Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Nicolas Party: Cafe Party
Awards
2008
Swiss Art Award, Messe, Basel, Switzerland
Public Collections
Aïshti Foundation, Beirut, Lebanon
Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York
Antinori Art Project, Tuscany
Brooklyn Museum, New York
Charles Riva Collection, Brussels
Consortium Museum, Dijon, France
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas
David Roberts Art Foundation
Elie Khouri Foundation
Fiorucci Art Trust, London
Fondazione Fiera Milano, Milan
Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin, Italy
Fundación Medianoche0, Granada, Spain
Green Family Art Foundation, Dallas
He Art Museum (HEM), Shunde, Guangdong, China
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington DC
Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
Julius Baer Art Collection
Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh
K11 Art Foundation, Hong Kong
Kunsthall Stavanger, Norway
Kunsthaus Zurich, Switzerland
Le Consortium, Dijon, France
Long Museum, Shanghai
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
LVMH, France
M+ Museum, Hong Kong
Marciano Art Foundation, Los Angeles
Masahiro Maki Foundation, Tokyo
Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris (City of Paris Museum of Modern Art), Paris
Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Zurich, Switzerland
Moderna Museet, Stockholm
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York
Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana (MASI), Lugano, Switzerland
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany
MWOODS, Beijing
Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas
National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Seoul
The Roberts Institute of Art, London
Roche Art Collection, Basel, Switzerland
Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Brussels
Rubell Family Collection, Miami
Swiss Re Art Collection
UBS Art Collection
X Museum / Michael Xufu Huang, Beijing
Zurich Insurance Art Collection, Switzerland
Publications
2019
Gertrude Abercrombie, Ann Craven, Nicolas Party, Matthew Wong
Karma, New York
60 pages
8 1⁄4 × 11 inches
2017
Pastel
Karma, New York
184 pages, hardcover
9 3/4 x 11 1/4 inches
2014
Pastel
Galerie Gregor Staiger, Zurich
30 pages
9 1/2 × 12 1/4 inches
2011
Nicolas Party
The Modern Institute/Toby Webster Ltd, Glasgow
48 pages, softcover
9 1/2 × 8 1/4 inches
